Goodhue Boat Company – Lake Winnipesaukee, Ossipee Lake and Lake Sunapee

Goodhue Boat Company – Lake Winnipesaukee, Ossipee Lake and Lake Sunapee

By Rosalie Triolo

Goodhue Boat Company, originally known as Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard on Sewall Road in Wolfeboro, is the oldest marina on Lake Winnipsaukee. The marina was established in 1903 by Nathaniel Goodhue and Chester Hawkins, and was known for making wooden boats, steamers and launches. Nathaniel H. Goodhue passed away in 1932, and five years later his nephew, Nathaniel W. Goodhue bought into the business. The Navy Yard was sold in 1972 to Peter Brown of Brookfield, who four years later in 1976, sold it to Earl Smith, Charles Smith and Richard Kourian. The new owners, keeping the name Goodhue and Hawkins Navy Yard expanded the marina’s product line of boats to include Donzi, Proline, Chrysler, Glastron, Marathon, Charger, Crestliner, and SmokerCraft. They also added the well-known and popular personal watercraft, the SeaDoo. 

SeaDoo is a Canadian brand of PWC manufactured by Bombardier Recreational Products founded in 1942 by Joseph-Armand Bombardier. The first attempts at marketing a personal watercraft was back in 1968. All models of SeaDoo Personal Watercraft are driven by an impeller-driven waterjet. SeaDoo has been one of the most, if not the most popular brands of PWC since the mid-1990s. 

In 1977 Charlie Rocknak introduced to Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard’s family of motor boats and personal watercraft, the Chrysler brand Sailboat. Steve Durgan, in 1984 purchased the Sailing Shop introducing the CAL line of sailboats, designed and constructed in southern California ranging in size from 22 feet to 33 feet. A smaller size sailboat, the Point Jude Daysailer, was added in 1987.  Steve Durgan was the general manager at Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard until 1998. 

Within the span of 101-years, Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard, Wolfeboro changed ownerships several times culminating in the 2004 sale to the Pratt family, who retained the name until 2018, when the marina’s name was changed to the Goodhue Boat Company. Brent and Camron Pratt have made major improvements to the marina, by removing some of the old structures, and replacing them with new service buildings, and “state-of-the-art” storage buildings. Boston Whalers and MasterCraft surf boats were added to their line of longstanding popular boats. New to this year’s inventory, the Sylvan Pontoon boats have replaced the Sweetwater Pontoon boats.  

Since the 2004 acquisition of Goodhue & Hawkins Navy Yard in Wolfeboro, the Goodhue Boat Company has acquired three additional marinas. Shep Brown’s Boat Basin, a marina tucked into a 13-acre recess of Lake Winnipesaukee’s shoreline in Meredith, began its long history of servicing boats in 1919.  It was previously owned by Shep Brown a local tradesman. 

John A. Sargent together with his wife Priscilla in 1948 founded Sargent’s Marina in Georges Mills on Lake Sunapee. Prior to the marina’s purchase in 2019 by the Goodhue Boat Company, Sargent’s Marina was operated by Dorieann Sargent and the Sargent family. 

Goodhue Boat Company’s fourth location is on Broad Bay on Ossipee Lake in Freedom. 

Jeramiah Burke, General Manager of Goodhue Boat Company explained, “Rental boats are available at all four of the Goodhue locations: On Lake Winnipesaukee in Wolfeboro and Meredith, on Lake Ossipee in Freedom, and on Lake Sunapee at Georges Mills which is a ‘rental only’ location.” On Lake Sunapee all powerboat rentals are launched from Goodhue Boat Company’s headquarters in Georges Mills. This location also has a gas dock, and watersport equipment for sale or to rent. Paddle sport rentals and retail merchandise are available at Goodhue’s location in Sunapee Harbor where there is a full-service gas dock. 

Burke went on to say, “Goodhue Boat Company in Wolfeboro and Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee, and on Ossipee Lake are Full-Service Marinas – Boat Sales, Slips and Moorings (when available), Storage, Valet Service, Service and Parts Departments.”  Goodhue sells all types of boats. There is a boat for every boater, from Fishing to Wake & Surf boats to Cruisers. Pontoon boats, for those folks who enjoy a living- room kind of comfort, yet has the power to pull a water skier, to Runabouts and Bowriders. Goodhue’s inventory of new boats consists of the Boston Whaler, Chaparral, Cobalt, and MasterCraft. Newly added is the Sylvan Pontoon boat. Goodhue’s website offers a look at their new boats, and a diverse inventory of pre-owned boats. The new 2022 boats are part of the rental fleet which includes; Chaparral, Cobalt, Sylvan Pontoons and MasterCraft. It is also noted on the website that “We are a pet-friendly marina, so feel free to bring your furry family members along for the ride!” 

New to the family of motorized watercraft is the Fliteboard, a brand name for, E-Foil, the world’s smallest personal motorized watercraft is noise free, emission free and wake free. A concept which allows you to stand on a watercraft, much like a surfboard with an electric propeller. There is no relying on winds or waves. The board is powered by an almost silent electric motor and controlled by a handheld wireless remote that syncs the E-Foil via Bluetooth. The Fliteboard flies over the water’s surface due to the hydrofoil creating a lift similar to the wing of an airplane. More information on Fliteboard can be found on Goodhue’s website. 

Lake Life Lessons L3 - Thomas Anderson’s passion for watersports gave inspiration to an idea which was followed by the founding of an incredibly successful business. A few years-ago Thomas Anderson and Lake Life Lessons L3 were invited to join the Goodhue Boat Company’s family. This pairing of a company which sells and rents boats, and watersports equipment with L3 was a natural fit. Anderson’s well-trained team of coaches share his enthusiasm, knowledge and experience in all types of watersports from waterskiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing, wakeskating, and the newly added Fliteboard, E-Foil an Electric Hydraulics Board. L3 offers E-Foil Demos. Events held this summer at Goodhue’s Lake Winnipesaukee marinas in Wolfeboro and Meredith include: Ladies Surf Night and Foil Fridays. Event dates and times can be found on the Goodhue Boat Company’s website. 

Goodhue Boat Company offers On-Line Sites for requesting boat parts for boat repairs, maintenance, or if you want to customize your boat. They have a large selection of parts and accessories at the two Lake Winnipesaukee Marinas and the Ossipee Lake area Marina. Boat Storage – Why store your boat in your driveway, where it is more likely to experience winter storm damage, when you can store it safely and securely in a clean storage facility free of unwanted visitors and the harsh winds and snows of winter. Spring Launch – What sound could possibly be better than that of early spring when birds are chirping, and the call of the Loons? Springtime means ice-out, and signals the long-awaited launching of boats in New Hampshire’s Lakes Region. Goodhue has implemented a new process with SpeedyDock to make sure your Spring Launch is fast and easy. SpeedyDock should be used to schedule when you would like to pick up your boat, or have it launched in Spring. SpeedyDock may send you an email with a link to request your spring launch, or simply log on to your account from any browser or the app. There is a video providing a quick tutorial on the process. “The water is great – let’s get you out there.”

For information on any of the four Goodhue Boat Company marinas go to www.goodhueboat.com. 

Goodhue Wolfeboro on Lake Winnipesaukee is located a 244 Sewall Rd., phone 603 569-2371.

Goodhue Meredith on Lake Winnipesaukee is located at 31 Lovejoy Sands Rd., phone 603 279-4573

Goodhue Lake Sunapee – Georges Mills is located at 19 Cooper St., phone 603 763-5036

Goodhue Ossipee Lake – Freedom is located at 65 Marina Rd., phone 603 539-8456

Hours for all four marinas are Monday – Sunday, 8AM – 6PM.

New Hampshire’s State Dog: Loyalty, Versatility, Intelligence, Endurance

By Rosalie Triolo

Photo: courtesy of Koji’s Owner

The Chinook, pronounced (shuh-nuk), is a relatively rare breed of dog which was first recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1991. In 2013 the Chinook breed was officially acknowledged by the American Kennel Club as part of the Working Group. This breed also has the distinction of being officially named “The State Dog of New Hampshire.”

Born in 1871, Arthur Treadwell Walden spent much of his youth in Minnesota and was educated at the Shattuck Military Academy in Faribault. When his father Reverend Treadwell Walden, an Episcopal clergyman, was appointed minister of St. Paul’s Cathedral in Boston, Arthur chose to live in his father’s vacation home in Tamworth, New Hampshire.

An adventurous young man, Arthur Walden in 1896 at the age of 25 journeyed to Alaska during one of the most exciting periods in history, the Klondike Gold Rush. A territory of the Yukon in northwestern Canada, the Klondike River which is a small river, enters the Yukon River from the east at Dawson City, known as the “heart of the Klondike Gold Rush.” Most prospectors took the route through the ports of Dyea and Skagway in Southeast Alaska. They would then follow the Chilkoot or the White Pass trails to the Yukon River and sail down to the Klondike gold fields. Walden found work as a freighter carrying supplies and mail down the Yukon River. He gained experience with sled dogs which were used to pull heavy freight over vast distances.

In 1902 Walden returned to his farm in Wonalancet, New Hampshire and married Katherine Sleeper. The couple managed the Wonalancet Farm and Inn. Walden, determined to breed his own type of powerful sled dogs, bred a female Greenland Huskey, sired by a large yellowish-brown Mastiff/St. Bernard mix. A litter of puppies was born on January 17, 1917. Walden named one of the pups Chinook, after an Eskimo sled dog he worked with in the Yukon Territory freighting heavy gold mining supplies. Chinook would become his lead sled dog, and afterwards the breed Chinook was named after its forerunner.

Walden bred his dogs to possess those qualities of loyalty, versatility, intelligence, endurance, power and speed, which today still are specific to the “Chinook” breed. Because of Chinook’s easy-going nature, he was especially gentle with children.

There were many “Firsts” for Walden’s “Chinook” dog sled team. They successfully climbed Mount Washington. Walden introduced the sport of sled dog racing to New Hampshire, and in 1924 he founded the New England Sled Dog Club.

Walden was designated by Admiral Richard E. Byrd to be lead driver and dog trainer on his 1929 Expedition to Antarctica. In his book Little America published in 1930, Admiral Byrd wrote: “Had it not been for the dogs, our attempts to conquer the Antarctic by air must have ended in failure. On January 17th Walden’s single team of thirteen dogs moved 3,500 pounds of supplies from ship to base camp, a distance of 16 miles each trip in two journeys. Walden’s team was the backbone of our transport. Seeing him mush his heavy leads along the trail, outstripping the younger men, it was difficult to believe that he was an old man of 58 with the determination and strength of youth.”

In 1929 Chinook was 12 years old. Too old to lead the team, yet young at heart. Walden would use Chinook to “shock the troops.” It was said, “Walden would put him into the team when the going got rough. Then the gallant heart of the old dog would rise above his years and pull with the glorious strength of a three-year-old.”

On April 25th, 1930, news of Chinook’s death saddened many who mourned the loss of one of the greatest dogs in history. New York, April 28th 1930 Headlines: Chinook Said Goodbye! Arthur Walden returned home from Antarctica without his friend Chinook. “Sixty-eight dogs came back with him – heroes, their job well done. But Chinook, their undisputed king when they sailed from Norfolk a year and a half ago – Chinook who always slept at the foot of his master’s bed was not among them. And Chinook’s master will never return to Antarctica.”

On June 9th, 1930, in a special dispatch from The Evening Star Newspaper, Washington D.C and the New York Times, headlines read “Byrd Dogs’ Leader Honored by State. New Hampshire Dedicates Road as “Chinook Trail” as Tribute to their Four-Footed Hero.”

An excerpt reads, “While medals are being struck for Admiral Byrd and the men of his Antarctic Expedition, now rolling homeward on their two ships off the coast of their own country, an enduring honor has been paid to one who is not coming back, a four-footed hero of the great adventure who died alone out on the desolate ice barrier.”

When he returned from Antarctica, Walden found his wife ill. Due to financial difficulties, she had sold half the farm to Eva and Milton Seeley, who maintained the Chinook Kennel. Walden then sold his Chinook dogs to Mrs. Julia Lombard. From the latter part of the 1930’s, the breed had gone through a succession of buyers and breeders.

When they were shown at the New England Sportsman’s Show in Boston, a famous woodsman, Perry Green was fascinated by the breed, and when Lombard decided to sell the dogs, Green was the buyer. In the 1940’s Green moved the breed to Maine eventually becoming the world’s only producer of Chinooks. He still held to Walden’s standards of choosing prospective owners. It involved having the person stay at the kennel for twenty-four hours. If the dogs did not like the person, he would go home without a dog. Walden died in 1947. After Green’s death in 1963, the breed declined to one hundred twenty-five living dogs. Two years later Chinook dogs were recorded by the Guinness Book of World Records as the “Rarest Dog in the World.”

As the breed’s numbers steadily declined throughout the 1980’s, three breeders from Ohio, Maine and California divided the remaining 11 Chinook dogs whose line went back to the original Chinook dog. By the 1990’s as other breeders developed interests in bringing back the numbers, the Chinook population began to grow. Today, there are about 800 Chinook dogs in the world. Only 100 puppies are born each year worldwide. 

Some say the life expectancy of the Chinook is between 12 to 15 years, while others claim it to be between 14 to 17 years. The Chinook stands from 22 to 26 inches tall and usually weighs between 50 to 90 pounds. Their colors vary between a tawny brown, reddish-gold and honey. They are said to be highly affectionate with family members, and friendly towards strangers and other pets.

Here in the lakes region, Koji, a tawny Chinook, is super friendly and very affectionate. He loves being petted and wants your attention whether he has just met you or has known you for a long period of time. He’s obedient and acknowledges commands. According to Koji’s owner, “Sometimes Koji thinks he’s a lap dog.” And how did Koji get his name? The owner had been a Koji Uehara fan. He explained, “Koji Uehara was a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, who was named Most Valuable Player in the 2013 American League Championship Series. In the 2013 World Series Uehara threw the winning pitch in Game 6 and the Boston Red Sox won the Series.”

What about grooming? As far as grooming he added, “Chinooks have a double coat. This means they need to be brushed at least once sometimes twice a day especially during shedding season, or you’ll need to vacuum twice a day.” There are many breeds with double coats which gives them fluffier look. A double coat is an undercoat of short hair and a top coat of longer hair. The dense undercoat protects the dog from both hot and cold temperatures and the top coat helps to repel moisture and dirt.

Koji was born at Granite Hill Chinooks in Dover, New Hampshire. Owned and operated by John and Leslie Donais.  

Capturing the Essence of Wolfeboro

Capturing the Essence of Wolfeboro 

By Rosalie Triolo

Photos: courtesy of Lana Santoro

In her recent book Wolfeboro, New Hampshire, the oldest summer resort in america, Lana Santoro has captured through the lens of her camera the character and spirit of this small picturesque New England town.  On her first visit to Wolfeboro to meet her future in-laws, Lana was captivated by the friendly welcoming feel of downtown Wolfeboro. Over the years on following visits, she and her husband, Chris, would drive to places outside of town discovering Dimon’s Corner in north Wolfeboro. On the outskirts she photographed old farm houses and stone walls some of which may have been built a century ago. With each return trip Lana’s fascination and love of the area grew, as did the number of photos in her collection. These photos she would use to create a calendar depicting the four seasons of Wolfeboro. Her first Wolfeboro calendar was published in 2007 and the 2022 calendar can be purchased on her website. 

 Lana commented, “A calendar needs scenery, but my photos also tell the story of an entire town. Its warmth and the memorable personalities you come to meet.” A story built from photos of red doors, wreaths and American flags fluttering in the summer breeze on the Fourth of July. A town where the young, the old and tiny children fill the sidewalks of Main Street waiting for a parade to begin. Stories of old buildings with histories going back to the late 1800s which have been renovated and still in use today. 

One of her favorite places to walk is Cate Park. Its waterfront gazebo where in summer bands entertain the community and artists display their work. The statue of grandpa and child in conversation, sharing thoughts and ice cream cones. “For me,” says Lana, “This is a beautiful representation of Wolfeboro. A town friendly and hospitable to all generations. I think of downtown Wolfeboro as its heart, Cate Park as its soul, and as boats approach from the Lake, I think of Dockside Grille as its welcome mat.” 

A photographic journey through Wolfeboro, the book’s cover introduces the reader to a colorful 160-page story. The MS Mount Washington approaching the Town Docks in Wolfeboro Bay passing by the Dockside Grille, and in the background standing taller than other buildings, the Town Hall with its prominent clocktower. 

Within the pages of her book, Lana takes the reader on a stroll down Main Street and the outskirts of Wolfeboro.  

Black’s Paper Store decorated according to the season where customers are welcomed to browse through racks and shelves filled with clothing, cards, gifts, souvenirs and toys. The Saturday after Thanksgiving a parade down Main St., with Santa Claus coming to town, the lighting of the Community Town Christmas Tree which stands in front of Black’s Paper Shop, and Santa’s Hut, across from Hunter’s Market, is opened for boys and girls to visit with Santa and give him their Christmas wish lists. 

Another long-standing tradition, the Yum-Yum bakery shop where for over 50 years customers have enjoyed an assortment of baked cookies, donuts and cakes. Since its opening, the Yum-Yum has changed hands, and over the years improvements have been made to the interior of the shop. The exterior of the bakery has been renovated affording customers additional seating on the spacious patio.

The Durgin Stables complex, built in 1875, houses the Country Booksellers shop. Inside, books for everyone’s preference, and toys for little children line the shelves. Books labeled “Staff Picks” usually help the undecided reader make a choice. 

 Rediscovering one of Wolfeboro’s landmarks built in the late 1800s, the old Town Hall was recently renovated. At one time it housed the Public Library and on the third floor there was a movie theater which no longer exists anywhere in town. The library was then moved to another building on South Main Street, next to the Public Safety Building, and most recently was renovated, updated and modernized.   

On Railroad Avenue, Bailey’s Bubble, a summer tradition, for families with young children, teens and for older generations, bustles with excitement as customers wait in long lines to choose their favorite flavor ice cream for sundaes with toppings, ice cream drinks or ice cream cones.     

Lana describes Wolfeboro as, “A family walkable town.” When her brother and his family visited Wolfeboro, they were impressed by the diversity of recreational activities available to families with children, the variety of restaurants and quaint little shops. 

The Depot Station on Railroad Avenue, which also dates to the late 1800s, is the start of the Cotton Valley Rail Trail. From the old Depot Station to Fernald Crossing Station in Wolfeboro, the trail extends 3.2 miles. The entire trail is 12 miles long extending from Wolfeboro, to Brookfield, and ending at Turntable Park in Wakefield. In spring, summer and fall this picture-perfect trail, some of which meanders alongside Back Bay, is ideal for running, walking and biking. In winter, when covered with snow, it is an excellent place to snowshoe and cross-country ski. 

A short drive from the center of town, The Nick, a 27-acre sports facility, provides baseball and softball fields, a six-lane synthetic track, picnic area, children’s playground and pavilion, an enclosed dog park, and a skateboard area. The Nick is run by the Wolfeboro Area Recreational Association (WARA) a non-profit organization.

A town of 58.5 square miles, Wolfeboro is a popular destination for vacationers. A town where people from big cities and a faster paced life come to enjoy boating, kayaking, canoeing, watersports and fishing on Lake Winnipesaukee, Crescent Lake and Lake Wentworth. It is a town that is steeped in history; a town at ease with itself as captured in photos by Lana Santoro. Its schools are represented: Carpenter School, Brewster Academy, Kingswood High School and Middle School, and Crescent Lake School. The Kingswood Art Center has been recognized for the performances that have taken place there throughout the years. In November tickets were sold out to each of the performances of ABBA’s Mamma Mia. 

The museums throughout the town, such as the Libby Museum, Clark House Museum and New Hampshire Boat Museum, provide learning experiences and as well as the history of Wolfeboro. You can’t miss the Wright Museum on Center Street with an armored tank breaking through its brick façade. A non-profit organization which recognizes and honors the contributions of Americans during the World War II era, the museum provides educational programs and through memorabilia offers a look into life during the 1940’s. 

The Fire Fighter Memorial at Town Hall, and New Hampshire Civil War Monument on the corner of South Main St. and Center St. are tributes to those who have given service to the Town, and country.  

The Wolfeboro Photo Book is a 160-pages journey that Lana has shared with residents and visitors.  It is truly amazing how the young woman, who came to town for a visit, cherishes the character, feels the warmth, and has captured with the lens of her camera the essence of Wolfeboro. 

In this one sentence Lana expresses her feelings, “This is my love letter to the Town of Wolfeboro.”

Lana Santoro, Ph. D is a teacher, an educational consultant, writer and modestly claims she is an “amateur” photographer. 

If you are interested in either her 2022 Calendar, Fine Prints, Photography Gifts or the Wolfeboro Photo Book, all information can be found on www.thewolfeborobook.com.