Boating Tips

Depending on the size and configuration of your boat, you may not be able to see each other during the docking process.

Many people use hand signals, so they don’t have to yell and shout over the noise of the motors.

When your First Mate is standing on the swim platform and you’re tying at a low floating dock where you can’t see the cleats or the lines from the helm, have your First Mate stand and signal with a clenched fist in the air where you can see it when the line is secure.

Then, you’ll know her fingers are clear of the cleats and you can pull against the aft line to bring in the bow.

If she needs you to back up or move the boat ahead, she can signal that as well by simply pointing forward or aft followed by the number of fingers to represent the number of feet required.

In each case, you can reply from the helm with the OK sign, so she knows you got the message.

You can no doubt come up with more hand signals to suit your situation.

Your docking will be safer, silent and way more professional to everyone watching.

Both recreational boaters and boating cottagers share the same concerns about safe enjoyment and environmental protection of our waterways. The following code is offered to assist all boaters; cruising yachtsmen, cottagers venturing up the shore for a cruise or going to and from the marina or anyone using smaller craft-be they resident or visitor. This code has been developed cooperatively by both the Ontario Boating Forum and the Georgian Bay Association to set responsibilities and expectations to help ensure that we continue to peacefully coexist.

Respect private property. Absolutely do not go ashore without permission if land is posted or has a cottage or building on the site. If you are a landowner, you are encouraged to post your property. Property owners should be polite and reasonable in asking trespassers to leave their property. Trespassers should comply promptly with a request to leave private property.
Anchoring near cottages. All stakeholders are entitled to maximum privacy. Anchor and camp out of sight of cottages whenever possible. While cottagers don’t own the water, they cannot move their cottage the same way that a boat can be moved. Conversely many bays have traditionally been used as anchorages.
Anchoring locations. Occasionally it may be necessary to anchor close to a cottage for safety reasons. This may be due to wind, water depth or other safety concern. When this occurs, boaters and cottagers should engage in open and friendly communication. If you have anchored close to a cottage because of an emergency or safety reason, explain your situation to the affected cottagers as soon as possible. If cottagers are unhappy about proximity, let the boater know that you are the owner of the adjacent land and would appreciate a little more space. Suggest an alternative anchorage that would be more suitable for both parties.
Going ashore on crown land. Always leave with everything that you brought ashore. This includes refuse. It also includes dog feces where reasonably possible.
Fires on crown land. When going ashore for a picnic, always abide by fire safety rules including temporary fire bans. Some sites are posted for “No Camp Fires”. In such areas, the best alternative is a cooking stove. If you must have a fire and you are in an area where fires are allowed, attempt to use safe public fireplaces and be sensitive to overuse of “deadfall” which upsets the ecological balance of the site. It’s best if you bring your own fire wood. Always drown your fire before leaving.
Minimizing noise from vessels or cottage. We are all entitled to quiet enjoyment of the water and shore. This applies especially during the evenings. Keep noise to a reasonable level. Use of PWC’s is a growing concern. Use of these or other noisy craft should be limited out of respect for both people and the environment Use of un-muffled exhausts is prohibited by law within 5 miles of shore.
No wake in anchorages. All boaters should make no wake in bays where boats are anchored. Beware of anchor lines, swimmers and small watercraft.
Responsibility for wake impacts. All boaters must be aware of the impact of their wake and abide by speed limits. Minimize your wake in narrow channels, near cottage docks and in government posted speed zones. All boats should minimize wake for small runabouts, kayaks and small sail craft whenever possible.
Respect the difficulty of manoeuvring larger vessels.
Smaller craft should maintain a reasonable distance from larger cruising yachts. Larger craft need longer to respond and can’t see smaller craft close to them. Please refrain from recreational activity such as tubing, fishing, windsurfing and swimming in major boat channels.
Gray and black water. We all have equal right to enjoy the water and responsibility to keep it clean. Polluting
the water with unlawful black water and other discharges is a crime. We can all go further by using environmentally friendly, biodegradable cleaning products, refraining from bathing in the lake, ensuring septic systems are operating within code and limiting gray water discharge in enclosed/confined bays to the extent possible.

(Reprinted with permission)