For regulations see the Transport Canada website  http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/menu.htm

Province-wide shore-line speed restrictions (Taken from Transport Canada Website)

Provinces from Ontario, westward to and including British Columbia (inland waters only in British Columbia) have adopted province-wide restrictions limiting speed to 10 km/h within 30 m (98’ 5”) from shore on all waters within their boundaries, except for:

• Waterskiing, where the boat follows a trajectory perpendicular to the shore
• In rivers less than 100 m (328’ 1”) in width, or canals or buoyed channels
• In waters where another speed is prescribed under a schedule to the regulations

This limit is not posted.

All Operators of powerboats must have proof of operator competency.

This is the law! 

We are on a small lake where there are wake-boarders, water-skiers, tubers, canoeist, sailors, kayakers, jet-skiers, fisherman and swimmers.  The PLRA  are looking for best possible compromise  that will suit all users.  This is only possible by having mutual respect for each other.

 Listed below are the recommendations we propose to help keep everyone safe and happy.

• Non powered boats (kayaks, canoes, paddleboats etc) should remain along the shorelines (Within 30 m of shore) where possible so as to allow more room for powerboats to pass by in a safer manner for both crafts.

• All motorized boats should stay clear of any non-motorized boats.

• Wakeboarding boats (due to the large wake created by these boats) should remain as far from the shoreline as possible such that the wakes have time to diminish before reaching shorelines. (The law says 30 m from shore).  For further information on wakeboarding, The Watershed Council (Muskoka Heritage League) has produced a brochure in conjunction with the Bracebridge office of the Ministry of Natural Resources.  To see the brochure, click here 

• Water-skiers prefer the calmest conditions for skiing.  Please try and do your best to be aware of this.  Ideally boat drivers should take skiers in a straight-line path, and when turning around should immediately cross over their own wake and backtrack along the same path thus giving their skiers a return trip avoiding their own rolling waves.  Boat drivers are doing a disservice to their skiers by doing a tour all around the lake.

• Boat drivers should be aware that their boats make the least wake at idle speed and a fast planing speed.  A mid-speed creates the largest wake.

• Jet-skiers, avoid making the many turns and circles too close to cottages because the noise and exhaust fumes created is bothersome to people on their docks and decks.  Many people have expressed concerns about this.

• Swimmers, do not swim out to the middle of the lake without having the safety of a boat very close nearby.  It is very difficult for boat drivers to see swimmers especially when the sun is reflecting in the boat drivers’ eyes.

• Avoid spilling any fuel into the lake when re-fueling.  (Use an extra large size funnel)

Please remember that we all enjoy the lake for our own unique reasons.  We must respect others and try to make compromises to keep everyone happy. 

Thoughts, comments, ideas?  Post your thoughts on the forum: http://plra.proboards.com/index.cgi or email us at This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it