Your Boat Wake

Now that the county wide No Wake zone is lifted we should think about our boat wakes in general.

Did you know you are responsible for your wake and any damage it causes! It could damage a boat at a dock on the shoreline, throw someone off a dock or harm the environment by eroding the shoreline and much more. When your wake causes damage, it could result in very serious consequences. You are responsible and could be facing fines and lawsuits. Learn how to avoid wake damage.

A Wake is the waves generated in the water by a moving boat. Depending on the size of your boat, the wake you throw can be cavernous and, when it hits the shore, can have the effect of a series of small tidal waves.

 Wake zones are posted for two reasons:

1.  First, constant wakes can erode a shoreline and cause damage to any boats and docks along that shoreline.

2.  Secondly, big wakes can not only be very uncomfortable but very dangerous for oncoming boat traffic--especially if they are smaller than you.

“Slow, No Wake Speed” means speed at which the vessel does not produce a wake, not to exceed 5 miles per hour

Many boaters figure that if they slow down slightly from their planning speed that they are doing the right thing. But, in reality, when you drop just off of plane, you’re drawing a much larger wake than when you were on top. The typical rpm’s on plane is anywhere from 2800 to 4000 rpm where the boat is riding on top of the water. The typical rpm’s that people mistakenly slow down to, is called plowing speed where you are drawing a huge wave. This rpm varies between 1800 and 2500. For a "no wake" zone, you should be running between 700 and 1500 rpm where the boat is in displacement mode, totally in the water and where the wake is no more than few inches high. If you can see white water in your wake your going to fast.

General Safety guideline on the Rock River.

These guidelines are in compliance with the laws and ordinances of the US Coast Guard and the Winnebago County Sheriff's Department/Water Safety Patrol.

• Speed limits are 45 mph during daylight, 25 mph from sunset to sunrise
• Water-skiing after sunset is extremely dangerous and unlawful.
• Open exhaust boats are against State Law.
• Polluting and littering of the river is prohibited.
• Proper boat lighting is required from sunset to sunrise
• Driving a boat while intoxicated will result in a OUI Citation.
• Children under the age of 12 cannot operate any motorized watercraft.
• Young adults (ages 12-18) in order to operate a motorized water craft, must carry an Illinois State Certification Card as proof that they have completed a boat safety course.
• All boater must observe the "No Wake" zones

Click Here for PDF of the Rules from Illinois

Safety equipment must comply with the US Coast Guard and IL DNR Regulations.

Welcome one of the Mission of the Rock River Homeowner Association is promote public awareness of river safety.

One of the best resources we have found in the Boat-Ed.com online boating safety courses.

Boat Ed is a private organization dedicated to providing boater safety courses and certification and publishing boater education materials. Boat Ed works with the state government agencies responsible for boater safety education and certification to develop home-study courses, such as the online and video boating safety courses found on this site. All of Boat Ed's state-specific courses are approved by the state government agency responsible for boating and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). . Also, these boating safety courses are recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

The Boat Illinois boater safety course is approved by the Illinois Department of Natural Resources. All material on Boat Ed's Website is copyrighted.