Definition of high speed boating?

TerryMSU · Jun 8, 2011

My favorite launch site/lake has a rule of "No High Speed Boating after 7:30". As I was leaving the boater next to me and I were discussing it. I jokingly said, "What you were doing was 'High Speed Boating'; on the other hand, what I was doing could not possibly have been 'High Speed Boating'". My question is... Exactly what is high speed boating? And if you are going to say "No Wake", then what is the exact definition of "No Wake"? Please also define at what point my trail in the water becomes a "wake". Yes I am serious, and no this is not a school assignment. Especially nice would be a source that gives an "official" definition. BTW, my boat has a top end of about 31MPH on a good day.

(added this later)
I eventually found this in the state regulations for the specific lake...

(a) Between the hours of 6:30 p.m. and 10:00 a.m. of the following day, to operate a vessel at high speed, or have in tow, or otherwise assist in the propulsion of, a person on water skis, water sled, kite, surfboard or other similar contrivance.

(b) At any time, to operate a vessel at a speed in excess of 35 miles per hour (56 kilometers per hour).

Thanks,
TerryMSU

scrit9mm · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

I would define wake as anything that would wake the normal person if they were laying on a raft in the water. Or just as the gears engage and you start moving forward, you should not see any waves more than 2".

dingbat · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

A wake is the region of disturbed flow (usually turbulent) downstream of a solid body moving through a fluid, caused by the flow of the fluid around the body. In incompressible fluids (liquids) such as water, a bow wake is created when a watercraft moves through the medium; as the medium cannot be compressed, it must be displaced instead, resulting in a wave. As with all wave forms, it spreads outward from the source until its energy is overcome or lost, usually by friction or dispersion.

TerryMSU · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

So by definition, any boat will create a wake at any speed. I think this is a valid engineering definition, but perhaps not a valid legal definition.

TerryMSU

dingbat said:
A wake is the region of disturbed flow (usually turbulent) downstream of a solid body moving through a fluid, caused by the flow of the fluid around the body. In incompressible fluids (liquids) such as water, a bow wake is created when a watercraft moves through the medium; as the medium cannot be compressed, it must be displaced instead, resulting in a wave. As with all wave forms, it spreads outward from the source until its energy is overcome or lost, usually by friction or dispersion.

'78 Crusader · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

I think the regulation has more to do with noise than wake.

dsiekman · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

so...to add a twist...I have twins. With both engaged at idle i'm doing a little over 6 knots. Leaving one out of gear makes steering difficult and cumbersome. Where does that leave me?

Home Cookin' · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

I can't see radar shot from a boat at a boat looking for a tolerance over 5 mph standing up in court--unless the boat was going 20 or thereabouts.

zagger · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

I was under the impression that Coast Guard rule was that the speed limit at night (aft. sunset/before sun rise) was 5 mph on any navigable water way lakes included. I learned that 5 years ago coming back from a 4th of July fire work display. I was maybe going 15 when puled over and was given $380.00 speeding ticket. I contested since the officer approximated my speed visually, the judge did not even care to hear me out, only stated the MPH rule and that was that.

NYBo · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

'78 Crusader said:
I think the regulation has more to do with noise than wake.

Noise plus safe operation during a period of reduced visibility. However, the way the rule Terry cites is written is BS, IMO. There should be speed limit right on the sign.

zagger said:
I was under the impression that Coast Guard rule was that the speed limit at night (aft. sunset/before sun rise) was 5 mph on any navigable water way lakes included. I learned that 5 years ago coming back from a 4th of July fire work display. I was maybe going 15 when puled over and was given $380.00 speeding ticket. I contested since the officer approximated my speed visually, the judge did not even care to hear me out, only stated the MPH rule and that was that.

No such rule or law that I can find. Jurisdictions can pass speed limit laws at whatever level they wish, apparently.

Sixmark · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

A wake by definition......

Wake: An event that your friends and loved ones would be attending if your wife found out that you got a $380 speeding ticket in the boat.

sw33ttooth · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

i define wake as anything over 4 inch waves behind me. unless sheriff is near then just into gear enough to putt. seen a boat going though channel saturday doing every bit of 6-8mph making 8 inch+ waves i define that as a ticket even if sheriff isnt around you shiouldnt fly through it i almost wanted to call him.

25thmustang · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

dsiekman said:
so...to add a twist...I have twins. With both engaged at idle i'm doing a little over 6 knots. Leaving one out of gear makes steering difficult and cumbersome. Where does that leave me?

As the size of the boat increases, the speed at no wake does as well. I too move along at a similar speed, while throwing just ripples on the water.

zagger · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

Wake: An event that your friends and loved ones would be attending if your wife found out that you got a $380 speeding ticket in the boat.

ROFL, Best wake definition I ever herd, lucky she was with me or I would not be writing this!

Fjandy · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

Just came back from the Fort Myers area. The definition of "wake" appears to be very subjective. I'll chime in that I always though of "no wake" and "idle" zones the same. In other words, I idle except when a boost is needed for steering.

soggy_feet · Jun 8, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

Buoys around the marinas here say '5mph - no wake zone'. I cant remember the wording of some of the signs around, but basically, 5mph is the max. Some boats put out a sizable wake, or, at least enough to complain about, even at 5mph. Those boats need to go slower.

I go by the point where I start making white water. If its churning past the bow, waves too big, boats too fast. If im just gliding along silently... perfect.

5150abf · Jun 9, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

In Indiana the night time speed limit is 10 mph, which for me at least is plenty fast enough, can't imagine going 30 but then again I am on a river.

'78 Crusader · Jun 9, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

NYBo said:
Noise plus safe operation during a period of reduced visibility.

The OP stated that the law is in effect until 10am the next day. The way I understand the statement is that it's more of a noise thing than safe navigation during a period of reduced visibility.

I'd somewhat agree with you if the OP mentioned the "30 minutes after sunset and 30 minutes before sunrise" rule but I have to disagree with you completely with your reduced visiblity arguement.

25thmustang · Jun 9, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

On this note, having spent a couple hours hanging out around the marina... It seems 50% or more people on the water do not truly know what no wake means. Most of them do slow down, but right to the point of plowing as large a wake as they can. I'm glad it's the small boats doing this, had a 30+'er gone through plowing like the little boats do, there would be a LOT of damage.

metriccrescentwrench · Jun 9, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

25thmustang said:
had a 30+'er gone through plowing like the little boats do, there would be a LOT of damage.

I've had a couple of run ins with bozos in huge cruisers almost swamping me while I was fishing. Slowed down to plowing speed and gave me a friendly wave as their wake got me wet up to my knees while standing on the front casting deck. There are idiots in all sizes of boats.

Oh, as to the original post, here's my idea of a high speed boat

relocyo · Jun 9, 2011

Re: Definition of high speed boating?

Well just my .02 but I ways also lucky enough to get ticketed in a no wake zone, I was on an unfamiliar jetski in an unfamiliar water system, and the ticket I recieved for this infraction stated "operating on a plane in a no wake zone" I wasnt going very fast, just a tad above idle... But that was their definition of the event in the no wake zone... I payed the ticket in full :/

Definition of high speed boating?

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Supreme Mariner

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Fleet Admiral

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Admiral

Master Chief Petty Officer

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant Commander

Petty Officer 2nd Class

Seaman

Senior Chief Petty Officer

Vice Admiral

Chief Petty Officer

Lieutenant Commander

Commander

Chief Petty Officer