Boating

Navigate Kahshe and Bass Lakes safely, ensuring a secure boating experience for all.

Essential Boating Etiquette for Smooth Sailing

Boating etiquette includes proper behavior on open water when performing water sports, inside marinas, on the boat ramps/launches, observing boat traffic rules while traveling, speed limits, fueling, anchoring and mooring, shoreline littering, sound levels of music, and wake limits.

As the fourth largest lake in Muskoka, Kahshe Lake is diverse based on its rugged barren bedrock topography possesses many islands, bays, and dangerous rocks, and is full of corners, and channels to explore.

Bass Lake is also a boater’s paradise. It is not easy to achieve that elusive balance between boating fun and the tranquility and calm of cottage living while protecting and maintaining the lifestyles and habitats of the amphibians, fish, and fowl as well as protecting the shoreline from erosion as well as docks and other floating structures.

However, the patrons of the lake must do so to be able to enjoy what the lake has to offer today and for future generations and save cottagers from having to do expensive repairs prematurely.

Below are a few rules and suggestions for respectful boating.

Boating Right of Way

Boat operators must understand boating right-of-ways. There are three maneuvering positions on the water when you meet another boat. The three positions are the crossing rule, the meeting situation, and the overtaking situation.

There are also rules for night boating. If you see a red light crossing from right to left in front of you, you need to change your course. If you see a green light crossing from left to right, you are the stand-on vessel and should maintain course and speed. The following diagrams show these positions.

Noise and Wakes

Noise and wakes are the top complaints of cottagers, according to a recent survey. Help keep your engine noise down by keeping your engine tuned and in top shape'. Drive softly — slowly approach and boat away from your dock, marina, or shore. Slowly driving out also protects the neighbors' shoreline and is courteous to other boaters at marinas as they are trying to dock or tie up their boats. Drive your boat at the no-wake speed when you are close to shore. Not only are you quieter but your wake is smaller. This guards aquatic babies — both flora and fauna — from wave and prop action and minimizes shore erosion. Keep music on board at reasonable levels. Sounds carry over water, so if it’s loud enough for the surfer to hear, homeowners can likely hear it, too and they may not appreciate your music selection.

Wake Boats, Jet Skis, Tubing, and Other Watercraft Courtesy Tips

Wake boats and Jet Skis are lots of fun for the users but can be disruptive to those around them. Wake boats send out a disruptive wake which can be harmful to shorelines, other watercraft, and floating docks.

To reduce the effects of your wake:

Slow down well in advance when you are passing within 90 meters of a small boat, the shoreline, or a marina.
Empty your ballast tank when not doing wake activities.
Stay at least 45 meters away from other boaters, docks, structures, and shorelines.
Be courteous to those around you. Don’t cut off other boaters and adjust your boating behavior in busy channels (See the Courteous and Safe Boating section).

Tips to enjoy the water in a safe, fun, and respectful manner

Take skiers straight out from the cottage.
No repeat runs between rocks and docks.
No multiple passes in front of cottages and stay the required distance from shore (e.g. no wake rules).
When tubing, wake surfing, and engaging in other water sports, do so in the MIDDLE of the lake, away from the shoreline and in the main channels.
To minimize contamination of invasive species from other lakes, empty your ballast tank before launching your boat if you are transporting your boat from another lake.
Reports will be made to the OPP if needed for reinforcement.For more information, read Wake Brochure and Safe Quiet Lakes FAQ.

Courteous and Safe Boating

Pass on Right

If you encounter another boat coming in the opposite direction, keep to the right as you would in traffic on the road. They'll do the same so that you pass “port to port” (e.g., left to left).

Crossing Paths

Decelerate when you cross paths with a non-motorized boat such as a canoe, sailboat, or kayak. They may not want the thrill of fording your wake nor the roar of your motor.

Maintain Distance

Law requires boats to maintain 45 meters from other boats and recreators, the shoreline, wildlife, and any other objects; (that’s about half a football field). For an etiquette A+, keep a distance of 70 meters.

Obey Speed Limits

Kahshe and Bass Lakes have a speed limit of 70 kph once you are more than 30 meters from the shore. If you are within 30 meters, you can only go 10 kph.

Proper Lighting

Have your front green and red and white all-around lights on one hour before sunset, nighttime, and an hour after sunrise so that other boats can properly see you. Don't tube, waterski, or do wake activities during this time to keep everyone safe.

Rock Markers

Be aware of the rock markers and other rocks below the surface. A wrong turn can have you stuck on a shoal with your prop dislodged among other dangers.

Impaired Driving

Never drink or do drugs when driving.

Equipment

Check the state of your onboard stock of PFDs, paddles, and emergency safety kits. Might be time to refresh/replace them.

Liscense

Carry your boater’s license on board. You must have a boating license to drive a motorized watercraft on the lake.

Fuel

Whenever possible, fill up with gas as carefully as possible to avoid spilling.

Trash

Garbage that ends up overboard pollutes our lake, can lower water quality, and even entangle or threaten wildlife. If you take it out with you, take it back in!

Respect Private Land

Along with minimizing your wake and noise, keeping the proper distance, and not intentionally doing watersports back and forth in front of a single area, do not trespass on private land.

Human Waste

When you have to go — human waste, including pee, threatens the health of the Lake and the people that enjoy it. If you need to go, make a stop at one of the marinas, the port-o-let at Nagaya Beach, or go to your or your friend's cottage to do your business.

Boating Code of Conduct

Applies to ALL watercraft - Boats, Jet Skis, Seadoos, Sailboats, Canoes & SUPs

I will never operate a watercraft beyond the level of my skills.
I will be aware of and obey all laws and regulations related to operating my watercraft.
I will always operate my watercraft with caution and courtesy to others.
I will minimize my wake impact on shorelines, docks, structures, and people.
I will always steer clear of other watercraft, swimmers, and permanent objects (docks,rafts, etc).
I will set a speed that is safe and comfortable for passengers and others.
I will provide life jackets or PFDs to everyone traveling in/on my watercraft.
I will carry allequipment necessaryto operate mywatercraft safelyand within thelaw.
I will not consume drugs and alcohol in my watercraft or allow my watercraft to be operated by anyone impaired.
I understand that Kahshe and Bass Lakes are a shared experience. I will not create excessivenoise or operate my watercraft in a manner that disrupts the peaceful enjoyment of the lakebyothers.
I understand itis illegal to operate at greater than an unposted speed limit of 10km/h (6 mph)within 30 metres (100 feet) of the shoreline. (Exemption: a watercraft pulling a skierperpendicular (directly away) from shore or within a buoyed water ski area is exempt fromthe"30-meter" rule.)

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