Boating & Beaches: Frequently Asked Questions & Answers

PROVIDED BY KRISTIN WILCOX, CANADIAN LAKES SAFETY DIRECTOR

WHICH LAKES ARE NO WAKE? WHAT DOES NO WAKE MEAN? WHAT ARE THE DAYS HOURS OF NO WAKE?

C.L. Rules Page 26-27 Section 7.03

Canadian Lake Boating Restrictions

(a) All Waterways within the Canadian Lakes are no wake lakes, except the Main Canadian Lake and the West Canadian Lake; these are all sport lakes. “Slow, No Wake Speed” means a very slow speed whereby the wake or wash of the vessel created by the vessel would be minimal. (Michigan Boaters Handbook Pg 36)

(b) The Main Canadian Lake and West Canadian Lake are considered “Sports Lakes.” High-Speed Boating and PWC operation for Water skiing, tubing, jet skiing, etc. are permitted during the hours of 10:00am and 6:00pm daily, except on Thursdays. All Thursdays are slow, no-wake days unless the Thursday falls on a legal holiday, in which case normal sport boating is allowed.

HOW FAR FROM SHORE MUST BOATS STAY? WHAT IS THE PREFERRED TRAFFIC

PATTERN WHEN GOING AROUND THE LAKE?

C.L. Rules Page 27 Section 7.04

Canadian Lakes General Marine Regulations

(a) No-Wake restrictions for all vessels apply within one hundred (100) feet of a buoyed swimming area, person in the water, dock, or raft and moored or anchored vessels. Additionally, all PWC must NOT cross within 150 feet behind another vessel other than another PWC.

(b) All vessel traffic on a lake is to be counterclockwise except in case of an emergency.

(c) Powerboats must yield to boats towing skiers, tubes, etc. and all nonmotorized boats.

WHAT IS THE PROTOCOL FOR GOING UNDER THE BRIDGES (CONSECUTIVE BOATS, BOATS PULLING INFLATABLES. ETC.)?

C.L. Rules Page 27 Section 7.04

Canadian Lakes General Marine Regulations

(e) There shall be no wakes created and no towing individuals on tubes permitted under or through inner- lake culverts or bridges except in an emergency.

(f) Traffic through the inner-lake culverts and bridges is alternating sides with three boats passing before switching. Boats waiting to enter the inner-lake culverts and bridges should wait to the far right to allow oncoming traffic room to pass.

WHAT ARE THE “PARKING AREA” SIGNS ADJACENT TO THE BEACH SWIM AREAS?

C.L. Rules Page 29 Section 8.06 Beaches

(b) Boats are not allowed in the designated swimming areas. Boats shall remain outside any buoyed areas. Are you allowed to move the swim buoys to make more boat parking?

C.L. Rules Page 29 Section 8.06 Beaches

(c) The swim buoys are not to be moved or vandalized. Anyone identified as causing damage to or moving the swim buoys will be subject to fines and/or loss of membership privileges.