Improper Speed or Distance

Improper Speed or Distance is not maintaining a proper speed and/or distance while operating a vessel. Specifically, it is illegal to:

• Operate a vessel at a distance from other vessels or at a speed that exceeds safe and reasonable limits given the waterway traffic, marked speed limits, weather, and other boating conditions.
• Exceed the speeds posted or charted in any specific zone or area.
• Operate a vessel repeatedly in a circuitous manner within 200 feet of another vessel or person in the water.
• Operate a vessel within 100 feet of any dock, raft, pier, or restricted area on any lake at greater than “slow, no wake speed.”
• Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” on lakes that are 50 acres or less and have public access, unless such lakes serve as thoroughfares between two or more navigable lakes. Lake size is determined in the most current version of “Wisconsin Lakes,” PUB-FH-800, at dnr.wi.gov/lakes/lakebook/wilakes2009bma.pdf.
• Operate a vessel within 100 feet of a swimmer, unless the vessel is assisting the swimmer.
• Operate a vessel at greater than “slow, no wake speed” too close to the shoreline of any lake.
  • For motorboats other than personal watercraft, too close means within 100 feet of the shoreline.
  • For personal watercraft, too close means within 200 feet of the shoreline.
  • This law does not apply in areas marked as pickup and drop-off locations for water-skiing.
• Operate a vessel faster than “slow, no wake speed” within 100 feet of a patrol boat displaying emergency lights.