speed limit for bass boats? 2024
guest reply :
It occurs to me that current bass boats can travel in excess of 70 mph. "cigarette" boats and other models built for speed can even go faster than that.
This exceeds the posted speed limits on the vast majority of paved highways.
A weekend on a popular lake is loaded with all kinds of boat traffic.
Does it make sense that there are no speed limits outside of no wake zones?
I wonder what the accident stats are for high speed boating.
I know the "blast off" crowd is gonna want to hang me but,
This may be an idea whose time has come.
George Welcome reply :
Very few bass boats actually do 70 or better. On their speedos yes, on the GPS or other measuring device no. You would think a new burearcracy with new unforcible rules a good thing - I don't think so. You want to cut down on boating accidents than eliminate alchohol as an optional drink on the water.
Of course with any change in boating rules, to make them valid, you need enforcement. Who pays for that? As it is, the DNR's are spread beyond their limits in both equipment and staff. They can't even keep up with the cheater fisherman.
FL_fisher reply :
I agree with gw I dont see the speed as the problem. It is more the people that get on jet skis with out a clue of how to work one. I have never seen a bass boat going 70mph and hit someone or even flip while I have been on the water.
senile1 reply :
I don't know which way I would fall on this, but on smaller lakes even 50 mph could be pushing it. It could be an idea for study. While I agree with George about the alcohol problem, fast-moving cigar boats and large boats have swamped other boats on Lake of the Ozarks and people have died. Here's a sample of the many reports of swampings that occur due to high waves on the lake.
http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetail.asp?District=2&offset=320&ID=N07030054
This was a 31 foot boat that was swamped.
cart7t reply :
A good majority of boating accidents are alcohol related. Another bunch is boaters who use poor judgement in the use of their boat, whether in operation, overloading, lack of life vests, etc. .
Quite honestly, the group of boaters I feel safest around are bassboaters, regardless of how fast their boat is capable of going. Most bass fishermen are on the water a good part of the year and have gained the experience necessary to operate a watercraft safely. I can't say the same for the large portion of weekend warriors that inhabit most lakes from only May - September. Toss in those that rent boats who haven't had anymore experience than the boat renter showing them the key, how to start it and where the throttle is, those are the ones most likely to injure themselves or someone around them.
The PWC operators are in a total class by themselves. That bunch easily has the worst on-the-water habits of any individual boating group. Also the most injuries and fatalities per hundred.
cart7t reply :
QuoteI don't know which way I would fall on this, but on smaller lakes even 50 mph could be pushing it. It could be an idea for study. While I agree with George about the alcohol problem, fast-moving cigar boats and large boats have swamped other boats on Lake of the Ozarks and people have died. Here's a sample of the many reports of swampings that occur due to high waves on the lake.http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetail.asp?District=2&offset=320&ID=N07030054
This was a 31 foot boat that was swamped.
You're thinking is a little off here. You want those boats running as fast as possible. Any of those large draft boats that are wallowing along at slow cruising speeds or slower are throwing a monsterous wake compared to when they're on plane.
LOZ's problems are due to too many large drafted boats running at slower speeds throwing massive wakes in a lake that's not only narrow but also has relatively steep banks. The waves never dissipate when they hit shore but merely rebound back out into the lake crashing into inbound waves coming in. Before you know it you've got this churning hell pit of swells with no direction. Even large boats have to slow down in order to prevent passengers from getting tossed about the cabin. Hence, they throw even bigger waves and then you've got catch22.
BTW, the key to running LOZ is NOT run along the shore. This is where some of the worst of the wave crashing is happening at. Stay out about 500 feet or so.
surfer reply :
Some Central Florida Lakes do have speed limits. I have never heard of them being enforced. I dont doubt that under the right circumstances they would be enforced.
Lake Conway Chain of Lakes 35 MPH
Lake Maitland Chain of Lakes 32 MPH
Inexperienced boaters are the biggest problem. To an extent we can all be inexperienced. Be safe on new water.
senile1 reply :
QuoteQuoteI don't know which way I would fall on this, but on smaller lakes even 50 mph could be pushing it. It could be an idea for study. While I agree with George about the alcohol problem, fast-moving cigar boats and large boats have swamped other boats on Lake of the Ozarks and people have died. Here's a sample of the many reports of swampings that occur due to high waves on the lake.http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetail.asp?District=2&offset=320&ID=N07030054
This was a 31 foot boat that was swamped.
You're thinking is a little off here. You want those boats running as fast as possible. Any of those large draft boats that are wallowing along at slow cruising speeds or slower are throwing a monsterous wake compared to when they're on plane.
LOZ's problems are due to too many large drafted boats running at slower speeds throwing massive wakes in a lake that's not only narrow but also has relatively steep banks. The waves never dissipate when they hit shore but merely rebound back out into the lake crashing into inbound waves coming in. Before you know it you've got this churning hell pit of swells with no direction. Even large boats have to slow down in order to prevent passengers from getting tossed about the cabin. Hence, they throw even bigger waves and then you've got catch22.
BTW, the key to running LOZ is NOT run along the shore. This is where some of the worst of the wave crashing is happening at. Stay out about 500 feet or so.
This is true and I thought about this after I made the post. The solution for LOZ is to limit the size of the boats allowed on the lake.
George Welcome reply :
Canoes with Jato, that's the ticket.
Way2slow reply :
Yep, you should take the responsibility of everything totally out of the users hands. Get rid of all the guns because guns kill people. Do away with automobiles because they kill more people every year than any war has ever killed. Don't allow any water craft to have enough power to get on plane. After all it's the guns, boats and cars that's causing all the problems, not that minute percentage of dummies operating them that causing the prolems so to help that .01%, we make the total population follow rediculous guidlines.
While we are doing speed limits, lets make all inland waters a no wake area. After all, these wake boarders and ocean size boats on inland waters cause a lot more damage to property and sinking of small boats than a bass boat running 70+ mph.
Needless to say, I don't agree. On small, heavily populated waters I can see restrictions. I fish a lake that's 77,000 acrers, my boat runs a little over 75 mph (GPS) with the 225 Evinrude on it and over 80 mph with one of my 300+ hp hotrod motors on in and I see no problems running WOT if I decide to, but I'm not gonna go ripping down some little narrow channel that fast. I think it's called using common sence.
bassdocktor reply :
I also generally don't see speed from bassboats as much of a problem. Like cart7 said I feel better around bassboats than anyother type. My experience has been that bassboats put out less wake aswell. On most of the lakes I am on speed is the least of the problems. As people have said irresponsiblle PWC operators are one. The worst are people with ski boats pulling tubers, skiers, or cruising. They like to get right nest to you or circle in such a tight spot that huge wave build up. People need to learn what are safe boating practices.
As far as a speed limit it probably could be useful on small lakes. The one lake I was one it didn't really matter since people were blowing past the speed limit and there was no enforecement. It also might be good on narrow rivers.
bassdocktor
kybassangler reply :
I think people are the problem everybody is in too big of a hurry to get somewhere when they shoul d relaxing and enjoying themselves. This past weekend I got on the Ohio River pleasure boats worried me to death in my bassboat they seemed to get in the throttle ever so much more when they see someone fishing. Courtesy seems to have been lost to boating. I'm not sure how to fix the problem but, i know one thing fo sure when I go fishing I don't want the government involvement in my fishing. Normally I fish idle speed only lakes and I am happy doing so. I can fish and not hafta worry about being thrown overboard by a rogue wave.
cart7t reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteI don't know which way I would fall on this, but on smaller lakes even 50 mph could be pushing it. It could be an idea for study. While I agree with George about the alcohol problem, fast-moving cigar boats and large boats have swamped other boats on Lake of the Ozarks and people have died. Here's a sample of the many reports of swampings that occur due to high waves on the lake.http://www.mswp.dps.mo.gov/News/NRDetail.asp?District=2&offset=320&ID=N07030054
This was a 31 foot boat that was swamped.
You're thinking is a little off here. You want those boats running as fast as possible. Any of those large draft boats that are wallowing along at slow cruising speeds or slower are throwing a monsterous wake compared to when they're on plane.
LOZ's problems are due to too many large drafted boats running at slower speeds throwing massive wakes in a lake that's not only narrow but also has relatively steep banks. The waves never dissipate when they hit shore but merely rebound back out into the lake crashing into inbound waves coming in. Before you know it you've got this churning hell pit of swells with no direction. Even large boats have to slow down in order to prevent passengers from getting tossed about the cabin. Hence, they throw even bigger waves and then you've got catch22.
BTW, the key to running LOZ is NOT run along the shore. This is where some of the worst of the wave crashing is happening at. Stay out about 500 feet or so.
This is true and I thought about this after I made the post. The solution for LOZ is to limit the size of the boats allowed on the lake.
It's kinda late for that lake. The solution was around 25 years ago and controlled growth, especially in the condominium end of residential lake living. I've fished that lake since the mid 70's and the boat problems really accelerated in the early to mid 80's when the condo's began springing up everywhere which in turn put more and more boats on the water making the lake rougher and rougher on the weekends. People in turn bought bigger and bigger boats in order to make their Sat and Sunday rides smoother. It just snowballed from there.
The real indicator is the number of resorts on the lower end of the lake. Many have sold out to the developers because they just don't do enough business anymore. Nobody with a towable boat, 17-22 feet long wants to go down there anymore because the lake is so rough on the weekends. Honestly, if you go down there in the summer during the week it's pretty placid.
Fishing Buds reply :
QuoteYep, you should take the responsibility of everything totally out of the users hands. Get rid of all the guns because guns kill people. Do away with automobiles because they kill more people every year than any war has ever killed. Don't allow any water craft to have enough power to get on plane. After all it's the guns, boats and cars that's causing all the problems, not that minute percentage of dummies operating them that causing the prolems so to help that .01%, we make the total population follow rediculous guidlines.While we are doing speed limits, lets make all inland waters a no wake area. After all, these wake boarders and ocean size boats on inland waters cause a lot more damage to property and sinking of small boats than a bass boat running 70+ mph.
Needless to say, I don't agree. On small, heavily populated waters I can see restrictions. I fish a lake that's 77,000 acrers, my boat runs a little over 75 mph (GPS) with the 225 Evinrude on it and over 80 mph with one of my 300+ hp hotrod motors on in and I see no problems running WOT if I decide to, but I'm not gonna go ripping down some little narrow channel that fast. I think it's called using common sence.
Way2slow, common sense isn't very common and isn't popular anymore.
The UN has a plan for us USA people, point blame to the product, and make us tolerant of EVIL. >
cajun1977. reply :
QuoteQuoteYep, you should take the responsibility of everything totally out of the users hands. Get rid of all the guns because guns kill people. Do away with automobiles because they kill more people every year than any war has ever killed. Don't allow any water craft to have enough power to get on plane. After all it's the guns, boats and cars that's causing all the problems, not that minute percentage of dummies operating them that causing the prolems so to help that .01%, we make the total population follow rediculous guidlines.While we are doing speed limits, lets make all inland waters a no wake area. After all, these wake boarders and ocean size boats on inland waters cause a lot more damage to property and sinking of small boats than a bass boat running 70+ mph.
Needless to say, I don't agree. On small, heavily populated waters I can see restrictions. I fish a lake that's 77,000 acrers, my boat runs a little over 75 mph (GPS) with the 225 Evinrude on it and over 80 mph with one of my 300+ hp hotrod motors on in and I see no problems running WOT if I decide to, but I'm not gonna go ripping down some little narrow channel that fast. I think it's called using common sence.
Way2slow, common sense isn't very common and isn't popular anymore.
The UN has a plan for us USA people, point blame to the product, and make us tolerant of EVIL. >
whats the UN got to do with this :-? and were called americans not usa people
RobDar reply :
ummmm...actually if you were to check with your local DNR there are probably alot more speed limits places than you think there are. I always assumed that there were not speed limits at several of the lakes I fished...come to find out there are speed limits. ( yes I got dinged by DNR one day) They are not posted...but they exist in alot of places. Boating is one of those things, like taxes, where you are responsible to gather necessary information and ignorance of the law is not an excuse.
Almost all of the county and town/city lakes near me...northwest Indiana...actually have speed limits...even a few with horse power limits. It is not posted anywhere, but it exists.
I am a firm believer that boaters should be licensed. ( ...I know...I know...outrageous right!). I think you should have to get a license just like a car or a motor cycle. There are far too many folks out there on the water that have absolutely no clue what they are doing! They have no idea of the laws, safety equipment, safety practices...none of it! Our local DNR guy told me that 2 out of 3 tickets he gives out are to people who had no idea that there was safety gear required, safety equipment required, saftey rules...yadda yadda yadda. Not that they just did not have the stuff...but had no idea it was required!
Just the other day I saw a guy in a ski boat FLYING across the lake...I was doing about 30 and they wizzed by me like I was standing still...his son...who could not have been older than about 7...was driving the boat. If this was a one time thing I would chalk it up to one idiot...but nearly EVERYTIME I go out I see someone ( bass boaters included) do something really stupid or dangerous.
Someone mentioned drinking on the boat...
I have always treated this just like my car. No booze on my boat! No even allowed in the cooler! I know several guys who wont go fishing with me because I wont let them drink. This is a big problem on the water as far as I am concerned.
Fishing Buds reply :
QuoteQuoteQuoteYep, you should take the responsibility of everything totally out of the users hands. Get rid of all the guns because guns kill people. Do away with automobiles because they kill more people every year than any war has ever killed. Don't allow any water craft to have enough power to get on plane. After all it's the guns, boats and cars that's causing all the problems, not that minute percentage of dummies operating them that causing the prolems so to help that .01%, we make the total population follow rediculous guidlines.While we are doing speed limits, lets make all inland waters a no wake area. After all, these wake boarders and ocean size boats on inland waters cause a lot more damage to property and sinking of small boats than a bass boat running 70+ mph.
Needless to say, I don't agree. On small, heavily populated waters I can see restrictions. I fish a lake that's 77,000 acrers, my boat runs a little over 75 mph (GPS) with the 225 Evinrude on it and over 80 mph with one of my 300+ hp hotrod motors on in and I see no problems running WOT if I decide to, but I'm not gonna go ripping down some little narrow channel that fast. I think it's called using common sence.
Way2slow, common sense isn't very common and isn't popular anymore.
The UN has a plan for us USA people, point blame to the product, and make us tolerant of EVIL. >
whats the UN got to do with this :-? and were called americans not usa people
Bubba you missed the make fun of here.
If ya want read http://www.crossroad.to/articles2/006/migration-un.htm
but, I'll warn ya-you may get a brain cramp-It is intresting tho
Like I said before "my humer sometimes gets me in trouble"
flyphisher # reply :
Several of our federal lawmakers are pushing for all boaters and private plane owners to be licsensed, tested anually, and taxed more, even johnboat :. Cant remember the link, sure you can find it, read about this on a saltwater website..doesnt look like the boating/fishing lobbies are going to have enough money to fight it..This will cost us more $$$, they will charge for the license, fees, and annual taxes they are wanting.... Even want something on the boats similar to a dog chip, where they can fly over and know who is on the water. Scary aint it. All in the name of fighting terrorism. Think its more of making it harder for non-rich to afford to have a plane or boat....way to generate more money, plus it frees up more resources..... So enjoy it while you can.
surfer reply :
If every one has to pay a licensing fee and pass a safety knowledge test it can only mean safer waters for me. I will gladly spend $30 and two hours of my time for my safety.
llPa1nll reply :
You know I give this allot of thought every time I am out on the lake I live on. It is a small body of water less than 300 acres. The lake is encircled with houses or cottages and everyone has either a runabout, pontoon, or ski boat. I rarely have a problem with the Jet Skiers on the lake yes they fly up and down the lake but thats not my problem.
Who I have a problem with is the people just slowly cruising the lake that feel the need to go in between me and the shoreline, or come well within casting distance of me, while I am clearly fishing. Case in point, I am fishing a dock 30ft form shore. I am 25-35ft from the dock boaters will go in between me and the dock not going fast but fast enough they are throwing huge amounts of wake. One instance that really got me upset/wanted to lay the smack down. This pleasure boater is slowly cruising the lake it is approximately 8:45pm, I have my navigation lights in and on as it is getting dark. On this 300 acre lake I am fishing a small cove that is literally 2-3ft deep and is loaded with Coontail. This pleasure boater sees me and drives 25ft off my bow into the area I was fishing, I put down my rod and just glared at him as he goes by. Now this is an older couple graying hair and all, I see the wife say something too her husband. I am guessing it was something along the lines of "That fisherman doesn't like us this close to him.". Now the Husband looks over his shoulder sees me and what does he do? He gooses the gas! At that moment I wanted to hurl a treble hook laden lure into their boat, or cast in front of them with braided fishing line. This type of behavior is ignorant and classless.
What I would like to know is exactly how close can other boaters come to your boat? I am well aware of the 150ft clearance and then you need to be at a no wake speed. The thing is at a no wake speed how close can you get? In the state of NH they had a law that made it mandatory that if you registered your boat in NH you needed to pass a boaters safety course. This is a great idea, but it isn't enforced. Also in NH the DNR or Fish and Game do not handle boating laws that is left up to The Marine Patrol Division of The Department of Motor Vehicles.
George Welcome reply :
"What I would like to know is exactly how close can other boaters come to your boat? I am well aware of the 150ft clearance and then you need to be at a no wake speed."
Required: a distance that will allow one to pass without hitting that boat. A no wake zone does not increase that distance.
llPa1nll reply :
Quote"What I would like to know is exactly how close can other boaters come to your boat? I am well aware of the 150ft clearance and then you need to be at a no wake speed."Required: a distance that will allow one to pass without hitting that boat. A no wake zone does not increase that distance.
So what your saying is I could be on my trolling motor fishing and a boat can come within 5ft of my boat at headway speed and be within the boundaries of legal boating, as long as they didn't hit my boat?
George Welcome reply :
Speed and proximity: Specific to New Hampshire
Unsafe Passage is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, it is illegal to:
Operate a vessel at greater than headway speed if within 150 feet of:
Swimmers in the water
Other vessels
Rafts or floats
Permitted swimming areas
Docks or mooring fields
The shoreline.
Operate a vessel at greater than headway speed while within 150 feet of a bridge or while passing under a bridge
Overtake another vessel at a distance and speed such that your wake causes danger or damage.
So to answer your question: yes a boat can pass at headway speed right next to your boat.
Taken from New Hampshire boating regulations
NJfishinGuy reply :
i agree with most i feel safe boating near other bass boats. here in nj at our biggest lake that is only 2600 acres it turns into a tottal zoo on the weekends. probably somethin most of you country guys couldnt even imagine. most bass guys all know to be off the water by 10am the latest. the people on the water are complete retards to say the least. none of them abide by the give way rules, when towing a tube for fun they come within 30-50ft of the tube opposed to the 200ft law. i was fishing a bank once in a cove and this guy had to come wake boarding near me and i mean close. if he was 10 ft close his wakeboard could have soaked me with his splash. they decided to go back and forth right next to us over and over again within like 30ft making huge wakes. we just upped and left for the day. people like that are the problems. oh another one, this one cove is all anchored swimmers and the jetskiers come barreling thru it like its main lake. its friggen ridiculous. also theres a 35mph speedlimit but i see offshore speed boats out there doing 90+
RobDar reply :
QuoteWho I have a problem with is the people just slowly cruising the lake that feel the need to go in between me and the shoreline, or come well within casting distance of me, while I am clearly fishing. Case in point, I am fishing a dock 30ft form shore. I am 25-35ft from the dock boaters will go in between me and the dock not going fast but fast enough they are throwing huge amounts of wake. One instance that really got me upset/wanted to lay the smack down. This pleasure boater is slowly cruising the lake it is approximately 8:45pm, I have my navigation lights in and on as it is getting dark. On this 300 acre lake I am fishing a small cove that is literally 2-3ft deep and is loaded with Coontail. This pleasure boater sees me and drives 25ft off my bow into the area I was fishing, I put down my rod and just glared at him as he goes by. Now this is an older couple graying hair and all, I see the wife say something too her husband. I am guessing it was something along the lines of "That fisherman doesn't like us this close to him.". Now the Husband looks over his shoulder sees me and what does he do? He gooses the gas! At that moment I wanted to hurl a treble hook laden lure into their boat, or cast in front of them with braided fishing line. This type of behavior is ignorant and classless.
What I would like to know is exactly how close can other boaters come to your boat? I am well aware of the 150ft clearance and then you need to be at a no wake speed. The thing is at a no wake speed how close can you get? In the state of NH they had a law that made it mandatory that if you registered your boat in NH you needed to pass a boaters safety course. This is a great idea, but it isn't enforced. Also in NH the DNR or Fish and Game do not handle boating laws that is left up to The Marine Patrol Division of The Department of Motor Vehicles.
OH OH OH!!!!! YES!!!!
I think alot of the getting cut off and interupted as you explained in this post...ESPECIALLY on lakes like you described...is that the people who live there really do not like people that do not live there out on "their" lake. I am sad to say my own brother in law, who owns a cabin on a small lake in Michigan, is that way. He is constantly complaining about the "outsiders" fouling up "his" lake that he pays to live on. He is intentionally rude to fisherman and others that he knows come there from other areas.
we get that at a few lakes around us as well...
I am not aware of a no wake distance limit. I do not remember reading anything about that. I know there is for larger boats...like charter boats...but even it is referred to as a "courtesy distance" as I remember it.
I am going to have to get my father in laws books out and look this up now...
NJfishinGuy reply :
does braided line do anything to an outboard? is it strong enough to actually tangle it up?
llPa1nll reply :
QuoteSpeed and proximity: Specific to New HampshireUnsafe Passage is not maintaining a proper speed or distance while operating a vessel or while towing a person on water skis or any similar device. Specifically, it is illegal to:
Operate a vessel at greater than headway speed if within 150 feet of:
Swimmers in the water
Other vessels
Rafts or floats
Permitted swimming areas
Docks or mooring fields
The shoreline.
Operate a vessel at greater than headway speed while within 150 feet of a bridge or while passing under a bridge
Overtake another vessel at a distance and speed such that your wake causes danger or damage.
So to answer your question: yes a boat can pass at headway speed right next to your boat.
Taken from New Hampshire boating regulations
That is truly unfortunate. So I guess I have no standing in other to ask for courtesy and respect while fishing. On the other hand maybe a misplaced cast with braided line would change their mind as well. The funny thing is I dont bother going onto the lake I am talking about that I live on during the weekends. I usually go on the weekdays after work. If I go on the weekends its well before Memorial day and well after Labor day.
QuoteOH OH OH!!!!! YES!!!!I think alot of the getting cut off and interupted as you explained in this post...ESPECIALLY on lakes like you described...is that the people who live there really do not like people that do not live there out on "their" lake. I am sad to say my own brother in law, who owns a cabin on a small lake in Michigan, is that way. He is constantly complaining about the "outsiders" fouling up "his" lake that he pays to live on. He is intentionally rude to fisherman and others that he knows come there from other areas.
we get that at a few lakes around us as well...
I am not aware of a no wake distance limit. I do not remember reading anything about that. I know there is for larger boats...like charter boats...but even it is referred to as a "courtesy distance" as I remember it.
I am going to have to get my father in laws books out and look this up now...
I hear you. The sad thing is I live on the lake. I have had the same boat for over 5 yrs, people recognize me as the guy that fishes this lake all the time. I have had Charlie Moore out on my lake to tape one of his TV shows, I'm well known on this body of water. I mean I don't want to start a feud with other boaters or have things turn verbal or physical. I would just like some respect and courtesy while I am fishing that I don't have to reel in my line or people are going to run over it, because they are so close. Is it to hard to ask to go around on the outside of me if I am fishing the shoreline or rafts/docks.
llPa1nll reply :
Quotedoes braided line do anything to an outboard? is it strong enough to actually tangle it up?
From what I hear from someone who had this actual problem. Is that braided line due to its lack of stretch will work its way into your prop and onto the rubber gaskets of your lower unit and if not removed could compromise the seals of your lower unit, and then costing you a sizable repair bill.
George Welcome reply :
Remember on the water: two ignorant moves doesn't make either of them right. There are people who are intentionally rude and there are those that simply don't know any better.
You are responsible for the safety of your boat and passengers and if it means moving a bit then you move a bit. The only winner in a confrontation is going to be the lawyers involved.
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