Boat and Wake Safety Committee Best Practices
In light of several recent studies on the wakes of boats in different modes of operation, the Boat and Wake safety has updated its best practices recommendations to reflect the most current data available to the committee. The main changes to the best practices revolve around the operation of all boats, but in particular, wake boats in transition speed (5-15 mph). These studies show that wakes generated at transition speed are 2-4 time more powerful than wakes generated by the same boat (regardless of type) being operated in an “on plane” manner. A reminder, you are legally responsible for your wake.
As the saying goes, with great power, comes great responsibility, and wake boats are no exception to that. Wake boats operating in this manner have waves that are 8-12 time more powerful than non-wake boats being operated on plane. Please continue to increase your awareness of the impact that your wakes have on other lake users and the environment.
Members of lake association formed the Boat and Wake Safety Committee. The SECOLA Board charged the committee to develop educational, informational, and operational programs, including “Best Practices” covering wake safety and other identified areas where the increased popularity of overall boating on the Chain can create safety and operational conflicts among the many recreational lake users and property owners.
To that end the Committee developed and submitted and the board approved the following Wake Boat and General Operations Best Practices. These suggestions are not intended to replace Wisconsin State Law or the responsibility of operators to know those laws and rules. Operators should always make situational decisions while on the water, even if counter to these best practices, to maintain safety.
Please read and periodically review both the Wisconsin Boaters Guide as well as these Best Practices. Also, please be sure guests are aware of the special situations on our Chain of Lakes, even if they are experienced boaters. If you have any questions or concerns the Committee welcomes your input.
As the saying goes, with great power, comes great responsibility, and wake boats are no exception to that. Wake boats operating in this manner have waves that are 8-12 time more powerful than non-wake boats being operated on plane. Please continue to increase your awareness of the impact that your wakes have on other lake users and the environment.
Members of lake association formed the Boat and Wake Safety Committee. The SECOLA Board charged the committee to develop educational, informational, and operational programs, including “Best Practices” covering wake safety and other identified areas where the increased popularity of overall boating on the Chain can create safety and operational conflicts among the many recreational lake users and property owners.
To that end the Committee developed and submitted and the board approved the following Wake Boat and General Operations Best Practices. These suggestions are not intended to replace Wisconsin State Law or the responsibility of operators to know those laws and rules. Operators should always make situational decisions while on the water, even if counter to these best practices, to maintain safety.
Please read and periodically review both the Wisconsin Boaters Guide as well as these Best Practices. Also, please be sure guests are aware of the special situations on our Chain of Lakes, even if they are experienced boaters. If you have any questions or concerns the Committee welcomes your input.
Wake Boat Best Practices
1. Operate Wake Boats at least 200’ from shore and docks when on plane and eliminate all unnecessary transition speed operation.
2. Do not operate Wake Boats at transition speed through channels. Wake boats at transition speed create wakes that are 4-6 times more powerful than many other boats when operated at transition speed.
3. When operating with ballast for wake-boarding, use the appropriate amount of ballast for the skill level of the rider. It is much less than you think.
4. Empty ballast tanks when tubing or joyriding.
5). Wake surfing is the most controversial activity done by Wake Boats and therefore carries its own enumerated list of guidelines:
a. Use the minimal amount of ballast to create a surf wave.
b. Operate as far from other shore and other boats as possible (Studies suggest at least 500 feet).
c. Do not encircle smaller watercraft. Particularly those that are immobilized (i.e. Fishing, floating, or disabled).
d. Give wide birth to smaller crafts that may be damaged or have difficulty navigating large wakes (i.e. canoes, kayaks, electric boats, small fishing boats). If conditions don’t allow for this, consider stopping the surf session (if safe to do so) and continuing when it is safe.
e. Do not wake surf through channels.
f. Be considerate of boaters and property owners. Keep sessions to a reasonable length and consider switching lakes between riders (particularly when taking longer sessions).
6. Please keep music at a reasonable level. If you are playing music so that your riders can hear it, the entire lake can hear it (please don’t do this). When going slow, the music behind your boat carries much farther than you think. This is im-portant as it is one of, if not the largest complaint about Wake Boats and portrays a lack of consideration for other lake users.
2. Do not operate Wake Boats at transition speed through channels. Wake boats at transition speed create wakes that are 4-6 times more powerful than many other boats when operated at transition speed.
- Consider avoiding activities that require boat operation in transition speed. If you do participate in activities that involve operation at transition speed, please operate in areas that allow you to be as far from shore and other boats as possible.
3. When operating with ballast for wake-boarding, use the appropriate amount of ballast for the skill level of the rider. It is much less than you think.
4. Empty ballast tanks when tubing or joyriding.
5). Wake surfing is the most controversial activity done by Wake Boats and therefore carries its own enumerated list of guidelines:
a. Use the minimal amount of ballast to create a surf wave.
b. Operate as far from other shore and other boats as possible (Studies suggest at least 500 feet).
c. Do not encircle smaller watercraft. Particularly those that are immobilized (i.e. Fishing, floating, or disabled).
d. Give wide birth to smaller crafts that may be damaged or have difficulty navigating large wakes (i.e. canoes, kayaks, electric boats, small fishing boats). If conditions don’t allow for this, consider stopping the surf session (if safe to do so) and continuing when it is safe.
e. Do not wake surf through channels.
f. Be considerate of boaters and property owners. Keep sessions to a reasonable length and consider switching lakes between riders (particularly when taking longer sessions).
6. Please keep music at a reasonable level. If you are playing music so that your riders can hear it, the entire lake can hear it (please don’t do this). When going slow, the music behind your boat carries much farther than you think. This is im-portant as it is one of, if not the largest complaint about Wake Boats and portrays a lack of consideration for other lake users.
General Boating Best Practices
1. All boats need to be mindful of their wakes.
a. Avoid long stretches at “transition speed”. That is the speed between “No-Wake” and the “Planing out” of your boat. For most boats on our lakes that would be from 7 to 15 MPH. Wakes at transition speed are 2-4 times more powerful than wakes of the same boat on plane.
b. If traveling at any speed that creates a wake remain at least 100 feet from shore, docks, and rafts. Even if you are just “Out Cruising”!
2. Understand the definition of “No Wake”. It is the slowest speed at which your boat can maintain the ability to be steered. Remember this is different from craft to craft and under varying conditions, such as wind. Refer to your Wisconsin Boaters guide for exact requirements.
3. Understand the areas that are No Wake by law. They are not required to be, and on our lakes are not, marked. There is a map at the Public Landing indicating which channels are EXEMPT from the No Wake rules. All other channels are No Wake.
4. Railroad Lakes channel markers indicate the limits in which boat moving faster than No Wake can operate. Boaters mov-ing at No Wake speed can be either inside or outside these markers.
5. Be more considerate of other watercraft and people in our “exempt” channels where conditions are more congested.
a. Stay as far to the RIGHT of the channel as is operationally safe.
b. Try not to cut across the entrance of any channel.
c. Do not block the channel unnecessarily. If you need to stop or reduce speed do so safely and with situational awareness to the other boats in and entering the channel.
6. Docking lights, bright lights on the bows of some boats, are just that. Lights to assist with docking a boat at night. They are not intended to be used while under operation and can create unsafe conditions on the water by “Blinding” oncoming watercraft. Please refer to your Wisconsin Boating Regulations for nighttime operation lighting requirements.
7. Music should not be loud enough to hear onshore. Please be courteous of fellow Boaters and Lake Residents. Re-member, sound (like music, voices, etc.) travels farther over water. Music with vulgar/obscene lyrics should be re-served for your private listing pleasure at home.
Thank you for enjoying our wonderful little resource, the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes.
Enjoy yourselves and Boat Responsibly!
The Boat and Wake Safety Committee
Updated June 2022
If you wish to review these studies, here are the links:
University of Minnesota Wake Wave Study
North Lake Phase 1 Study
North Lake Study Phase 1 Video
North Lake Study Phase 2 Video
a. Avoid long stretches at “transition speed”. That is the speed between “No-Wake” and the “Planing out” of your boat. For most boats on our lakes that would be from 7 to 15 MPH. Wakes at transition speed are 2-4 times more powerful than wakes of the same boat on plane.
b. If traveling at any speed that creates a wake remain at least 100 feet from shore, docks, and rafts. Even if you are just “Out Cruising”!
2. Understand the definition of “No Wake”. It is the slowest speed at which your boat can maintain the ability to be steered. Remember this is different from craft to craft and under varying conditions, such as wind. Refer to your Wisconsin Boaters guide for exact requirements.
3. Understand the areas that are No Wake by law. They are not required to be, and on our lakes are not, marked. There is a map at the Public Landing indicating which channels are EXEMPT from the No Wake rules. All other channels are No Wake.
4. Railroad Lakes channel markers indicate the limits in which boat moving faster than No Wake can operate. Boaters mov-ing at No Wake speed can be either inside or outside these markers.
5. Be more considerate of other watercraft and people in our “exempt” channels where conditions are more congested.
a. Stay as far to the RIGHT of the channel as is operationally safe.
b. Try not to cut across the entrance of any channel.
c. Do not block the channel unnecessarily. If you need to stop or reduce speed do so safely and with situational awareness to the other boats in and entering the channel.
6. Docking lights, bright lights on the bows of some boats, are just that. Lights to assist with docking a boat at night. They are not intended to be used while under operation and can create unsafe conditions on the water by “Blinding” oncoming watercraft. Please refer to your Wisconsin Boating Regulations for nighttime operation lighting requirements.
7. Music should not be loud enough to hear onshore. Please be courteous of fellow Boaters and Lake Residents. Re-member, sound (like music, voices, etc.) travels farther over water. Music with vulgar/obscene lyrics should be re-served for your private listing pleasure at home.
Thank you for enjoying our wonderful little resource, the Spread Eagle Chain of Lakes.
Enjoy yourselves and Boat Responsibly!
The Boat and Wake Safety Committee
Updated June 2022
If you wish to review these studies, here are the links:
University of Minnesota Wake Wave Study
North Lake Phase 1 Study
North Lake Study Phase 1 Video
North Lake Study Phase 2 Video
