Elizabeth Walters

Although a bill to impose speed limits of 45 mph during the day and 25 mph at night on the state's lakes and rivers passed the House by a substantial margin three weeks ago, supporters and opponents showed up in large numbers yesterday for a fight neither side considers finished.

Nearly two thirds of voters in New Hampshire support creating a statewide boating speed limit, according to a poll released yesterday.

A committee of lawmakers has narrowly recommended speed limits for Lake Winnipesaukee and all of the state's lakes and rivers.

At the beginning of a public meeting last night to discuss a proposed speed limit on Lake Winnipesaukee, Rep. Dave Currier asked speakers to stick to the topic.

Marc Bourgeois hardly ever drives his boat as fast as it can go. But on a clear, calm morning on a nearly empty Lake Winnipesaukee, he finds no harm in showing passengers a little bit of what it can do.