The rules for motorboats, high-speed boating, and water skiing in specific waterbodies include restrictions on water skiing between one hour after sunset and one hour before sunrise, and towing between sunset and 8:00am for personal watercraft (PWC). Operators must wear a lanyard-type engine cut-off on their vest to ensure safety.
In Michigan, personal watercraft laws prohibit riding jet skis at night, even if the driver has the necessary license. Operators must not ride in water less than two feet deep and remain at a slow, no wake speed. Wake-responsible activities, such as skiing and surfing, are prohibited. Operators must also be aware of the time limit for high-speed boating and water skiing.
All watercraft must be registered with the Michigan Department of State and display a registration decal. Registrations expire on March 31. Operators cannot ride a PWC after sunset and before 8 a.m., and they cannot cross within 150 feet of another vehicle unless otherwise specified.
Illinois has special local watercraft controls, including R281.743.2, which limits hours of high-speed boating and water skiing. Operators under 14 years of age may not legally operate a PWC, while those 14 and 15 years old can only operate a PWC legally if they have obtained a boating license. Riding a PWC is illegal during the hours from sunset and 8 a.m., with the National Weather Service determining the exact time sunset is. If a 5-year-old can communicate with the operator about their preferences, they can be an observor.
📹 Teens water ski across Lake Michigan
Madelyn Hendrikse and Braden Dirkse water skied across Lake Michigan from Oostburg, Wisconsin, to Silver Lake, Michigan.
Is it legal to live on a boat in Michigan?
Can you live on a boat in Michigan?. Yes, you can live on a boat without breaking any laws in Michigan. The biggest drawback of staying on a boat in Michigan is that it is very cold during the winter.
Is it illegal to use goldfish as bait in Michigan?. In Michigan, goldfish are not a pest species, butthe state has prohibited their use as bait.
Michigan’s open container law prohibits both drivers and passengers from transporting or possessing an open container of alcoholic liquor in a motor vehicle.
Can I anchor my boat anywhere in Michigan?
According to the State of Michigan document “Public Rights on Michigan Waters,” if the boater enters the body of water legally (either from a public access, a boat livery, or via private property with permission), the boater has the right to anchor, or “moor,” temporarily on riparian bottomlands for purposes of navigation. But attorneys disagree with one another on how to interpret this.
“Even though riparian landowners own the bottom land … to the center,” says attorney Jim Olson of Olson, Bzdok and Howard, PC and president of For Love of Water (FLOW, Flowforwater.org). “They (riparians) are subject at all times and forever to the superior rights of the public under the Public Trust Doctrine to use the water for swimming.
“They (members of the public) have the right to boat,” Olson says, “and they certainly have the right to anchor for swimming and fishing.”
What time is it legal to operate a PWC in Michigan?
4. Maneuvers that endanger life, limb, or property, including weaving through congested traffic, jumpingthe wake of another vessel or turning unnecessarily close to another other vessel and/or swerving at the last moment to avoid a collision constitutes reckless operation of a vessel.
5. Carrying more persons than the vessel is designed to carry is prima facie evidence of reckless operationof a vessel.
6. Lanyards must be attached to the operator on vessels that are equipped with lanyards.
How late can you water ski in Iowa?
Personal Water Craft – All persons on a PWC must be wearing a Personal Flotation Device. The number of persons onboard a PWC must not exceed its rated person capacity, including any person being towed. A PWC can not be operated after sunset or before sunrise. The operator of a PWC must comply with the Iowa Mandatory Boater Education Requirement. PWC’s must follow the same water safety laws that apply to boaters.
Careless Operation – Shooting water guns at moving boats and passengers can distract the driver causing an accident or cause injury to passengers. This is particularly true in the congested areas in the Iowa Great Lakes. A person riding the bow of a moving boat may be tossed overboard by a large wave and run over before the driver has an opportunity to act.
Hypothermia – Even on hot summer days in mid summer our lakes waters rarely get above 80 degrees, which can cause someone in the water for an extended period to loose body core heat (Hypothermia). Watch for the warning signs of Hypothermia: purple lips, shivering, and the loss of the use of body extremities. For more information on Hypothermia see the WSC website.
Do I need a boaters license in Michigan?
Any motorized boat operator born after June 30, 1996, is required by law to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card. In addition, boater education is also required for all PWC operators born after December 31, 1978.
Michigan Department of Natural Resources Requirements. There is no minimum age requirement to take this online course.
You do not have to be a resident of Michigan to take this online course.
How late can you water ski in MN?
Operate only from 9:30 a.m. to one hour before sunset. Use the cutoff lanyard properly. Obey operator age and permit laws for those younger than 18 years old.
How late in the year can you ski in Michigan?
How long is Ski Brule’s season?. On average, Ski Brule’s Michigan ski slopes are open 164 days, that’s five and a half months! Ski Brule opens for snowsports as soon as snowmaking permits and remains open (including Thanksgiving, Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, New Year’s Eve, New Year’s Day & Easter) for Midwest skiing & snowboarding through late April, even May! The longest skiing and snowboarding season in the entire Midwest is found at Ski Brule.
Does a mid season warm up melt the snow?. Ski Brule anticipates a mid season warm up and prepares for it at the start of the season. Ski Brule could open a trail with only 24 inches of snow but we don’t …why? Because Ski Brule is serious about snow and providing the best skiing in Michigan at all times. Ski Brule snow crew piles on the snow during the snowmaking season and stock piles it around the mountain so when the temperatures rise in the middle of winter or spring, Ski Brule is not effected by it and always provides the best skiing in Michigan.
Very Little Snow Loss. Did you know that when temperatures at night are freezing that there is very little snow loss during the day? Even at 40 degrees. Sure the snow may ‘soften’ up a little but riding on soft snow is fantastic! No it isn’t icy and no there aren’t bare spots. Ski Brule has so many snowmaking and grooming secrets that you can count on Ski Brule’s snow being the best there is anywhere! Some of the best snow is found in March! Warmer temps, soft snow, blue skies = FUN! Plan on skiing well into late April at Ski Brule. We’ll be waiting for you.
Can you drink while operating a boat in Michigan?
Michigan law prohibits anyone from boating while under the influence of alcohol or drugs. This includes operating any boat, sailboat, or PWC. Alcohol and drugs cause impaired balance, blurred vision, poor coordination, impaired judgment, and slower reaction times. Alcohol is a major contributor to boating accidents and fatalities.
In Michigan, you are considered to be under the influence of alcohol if your blood alcohol content is 0.08% or greater by weight of alcohol as determined by a breath, blood, or urine test.
How late can you water ski in Texas?
- It is unlawful to. Operate at a rate of speed greater than is reasonable and prudent or greater than will permit the driver to stop the vessel within the assured clear distance ahead.
- Operate in a manner to cause a hazardous wake or wash.
- Operate in a circular course around another vessel, PWC, or individual engaged in water activities unless retrieving a downed or fallen water skier or a person engaged in similar activity.
- Moor or attach to any buoy, beacon, light marker, stake, flag or other aid to safe operation, or to move, remove, displace, tamper with, damage or destroy the same.
- Anchor in the traveled portion of a river or channel so as to prevent, impede, or interfere with safe passage of any other boat through the same area.
- Operate within an area designated as bathing, fishing, swimming, or otherwise restricted.
- Operate within a designated “no wake” area except at headway speed without creating a swell or wake.
- Engage in water skiing, surfboarding or other similar activity between the hours of 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise. This shall not apply to vessels used in recognized water ski tournaments, competitions, exhibitions or trials, provided that the water area is adequately lighted.
- Operate while intoxicated (loss of mental or physical faculties, or blood alcohol content of.08 or higher). 1st conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $2,000, confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both
- 2nd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $4,000, confinement not to exceed one year or both
- 3rd conviction punishable by a fine not to exceed $10,000, imprisonment for not more than 10 years or less than 2 years. **Failure to submit a specimen to determine blood alcohol content may result in suspension of your driver’s license.
- Operate any vessel or manipulate any water skis, aquaplane or similar device, in a willful or wanton disregard of the rights or safety of others and at a speed or in a manner to endanger or likely to endanger any person or property. (Conviction punishable by a fine of not less than $200 nor more than $2,000 or by confinement in jail not to exceed 180 days or both.)
- Swim or dive within 200 yards of any sight-seeing or excursion boat except for maintenance purposes or unless within an enclosed area.
- Operate within 50 feet of a “Diver Down Flag” or operate a boat within 150 feet of a “Diver Down Flag” except at headway/steerage speed.
- Fail to comply with the USCG Inland Rules of the Road.
NEW: The engine cut-off switch must be worn by the operator on any vessel under 26 feet in length that is equipped with the ECOS, and the vessel is being operated at greater-than headway speed.
How late can you water ski in Tennessee?
Sunset to sunrise Water Skiing Skiing is prohibited from sunset to sunrise and during inclement weather. Vessels towing skiers must be equipped with a 170 degree, wide-angle rearview mirror or have on board a person 12 years or older, other than the operator to observe the progress of the skier.
All children 12 years of age and younger are required to wear a Coast Guard approved PFD while on the open deck of a recreational boat except when anchored, moored, or aground. There are four basic things you should keep in mind about your personal flotation devices.
First, you must have one wearable device of the appropriate size on board for each person in the boat or each person being towed. (This applies to rowboats, sailboats, canoes and rafts as well as motorboats.)
Second, each device must be kept readily accessible. They should not be hidden below deck or stored in plastic bags. They should be worn or at least be close at hand where they can be reached quickly in an emergency.
What are the jet ski laws in Michigan?
Children under the age of 14 may not operate a PWC legally alone. Those who are 14 and 15 may operate a PWC only if they have a Boating Safety Certificate and either have a parent, guardian, or designated adult over 21 years of age on board, or if operating a PWC on their own, must be within 100 feet of their parent, guardian, or designated adult. Persons 16 years of age can operate the PWC as long as they have received a Boating Safety Certificate and those over 16 can operate PWC with no limitations.
While riding the PWC, all operators must have a lanyard attached to their life jacket, their person, clothes and attached to the vessels ignition switch.
Riding a PWC is illegal during the hours from sunset and 8 a.m. with the determination of exactly what time “sunset” is by the National Weather Service.
Personal watercrafts are to operated slow speed as to not make wakes, when crossing within 150 feet behind another vessel with the exception of another PWC. Operators of a PWC are not allowed to be within 200 feet of a Great Lakes shoreline except at a slow, no wake speed and moving perpendicular to the shore.
📹 Solo Lake Michigan Crossing by Jet Ski – Charlevoix to Manistique
WARNING: Crossing a large body of water alone as shown in this video involves a fair amount of risk. Weather can change …
I never thought these “watercraft” could be used for long haul trips. Very interesting. Glad you shared this article. I find it more amazing that you went from Michigan to Michigan and stopped at an island, also in Michigan. I live in Wisconsin, and to a Wisconsinite, we find it hard to believe that you didn’t come to Wisconsin because we here in Wisconsin are convinced that all roads (or waterways) lead to Wisconsin. Thank you for debunking that theory.
In 2015 we took 2 jetskis from Leland, MI to Sister Bay, WI and a 25′ Boston Whaler accompanied us with extra fuel, etc. We went between the Manitou Islands and had 2 days of great weather and spent the night in Sister Bay to return the next morning. We left about 7:30 am and arrived in Sister Bay around 10:00 am, topped off our fuel and tied up all 3 vessels to one slip. It was a blast — there were 5 of us .. 3 slept on the boat and 2 of us in a motel room. Great fun!
I’m heading from Detroit all the way around to Manistee on my jet ski Labor Day weekend I was wondering if you wanted to go or have got any good advice this is my first long trip on a jet ski I’ve gone to charity Island that was a fun trip I’m headed up to Mackinac Island going past the bridge and then come in South to Manistee
I’m a little shocked that you would take such a risk. In some ways, open water is worse than a desert. But you planned thoroughly and were well equipped for any eventuality. I am local to Lake Erie and know of a couple people that have done similar journeys, but on 14′ sail boats outfitted with nothing but beer coolers. I’d say your trip was a bit more sensible.
Don’t listen to any of the negative comments! You set a challenge for yourself, planned thoughtfully and carefully, and you succeeded! I grew up on the shores of Lake Michigan, in Southern Wisconsin, and I forget just how far north the lake goes. I had never heard of Beaver Island, but I hope I get to travel there someday, it sounds lovely!
Lake Michigan can turn in a heartbeat. Recommend doing it with a chase boat in addition to the ACERB. Even in the hottest summer the water doesn’t get much above 60 degrees Fahrenheit so survival time is short. In the Coast Guard Auxiliary it took us a long time to respond to distress calls. Do not recommend people make a habit of this.
To go so far from shore on a personal watercraft shows no respect for these “lakes”. As a 40+ year summer resident of Beaver Island who has been caught in sudden storms many times, I can tell you that weather forecasts are highly unreliable and conditions can change very quickly. Traveling fast so low to the water gives you very little reaction time to avoid floating debris like logs or submerged hazards such as the many boulders along the southern shore of Beaver. As adventurous as this seems, you got away with something borderline reckless. I don’t recommend that anyone do this.
I rode jet skis across Lake Michigan, from Sheboygan to Ludington, with a group of guys in the late 90’s. My friend and I were riding 1997 Yamaha 700’s. The weather was great going there, and we when we stopped to refuel in the middle, we even went for a quick swim. But, after lunch in Ludington, we tried to make it back and fought 3-5′ rollers and a head wind. A couple hours of not making much headway, we gave up and headed back to Ludington. The town graciously made provisions for our group to stay in drydock sailboats for the night. By morning, 3 members of the group had decided they didn’t want to make the return trip and had called for someone to drive around the lake overnight and pick them up. The final 3 of us pushed on and made it back. Return trip was rough and took almost 6 hours. Old gps technology was more like a digital compass, and would only let us check our direction when we stopped, so we ended up zig zagging all the way back. Came ashore at Manitowoc and followed shoreline back south to Sheboygan. I wish we would have had the weather you did. Yours actually looked like a nice ride.
Nothing impressive, in fact, quite foolish. Imagine if he broke down and had to get rescued. That rescue would have taken time and effort and could have potentially meant someone else’s life would be in danger. For what? To take a trip across a big lake. This is yet another reason why we are ultimately doomed as a specie.
Not to get all nit-picky…BUT I’m going to have to disagree with that freighter being 10 miles in the distance at 1:57. At sea level you can only see about 3 miles out until the horizon obscures your view…you’d have to be like 50+ feet up to see even close to 10 miles out. If you could only see the top of the ship, then maybe you’d have a case for 10 miles….
this is cool..i dig your trip. however, no radio and your personal beacon wasnt on you..still a serious fail Rodney (i know you knew better) not saying your careless. you did a good job researching and planning. disired the route you choose, smart thinking. you never reported the condition of your hands and wrists..any soreness from holding that throttle open for that lenghty of a time? very nice article, so i watched it again with the wife. you can thank your wife also for your safe trip (per my wife)
If one can engineer a combination of computer-integrated, hydrologically-functional, vertical lift devices built-in, . . . and increase the jet-ski type craft sizes of everything – about as little as 10-15% everywhere -, with a combination designed from the keel up, as it where, included, i.e., a hybrid long-rang(er) blue water boat designed to overcome any weaknesses or problems your pioneer crossing entailed, altogether built for such long-range travel is made possible by knitting together solutions now available and just emerging to eliminate every danger or difficulty noteworthy here.
Definitely something to consider. This type of tripping in every way is comparable and BETTER to motorcycle and airplane camping as here you can explore around a little to find a great campsite(s) no one can ever go or find and nose into any, ENTIRELY or not, secluded beach inlet. With suitable supplies onboard then proceed to party, recharge, refuel, rest and prepare, whatever, for the next legs, entirely well planned, prepared better and go further – for peanuts. Drawbacks however are in holding and maintaining course at highspeeds for real long stretches of distances required for average persons, especially at first, I’m sure. To maintain a heading, when to be off course significantly by 1-5 degrees, requires constant checks that normal gauges or what I can imagine cannot be easily, comfortably or reliably read, much less scan-checked enroute, every few seconds or so as is required for safety sake, even on most motorcycles who can use roads for those drawbacks. Further, some method of safe throttle-holding, like appropriate cruise control, to relieve the throttle hand doing relatively colossal amounts herein, by necessity, over extraordinarily-long periods of time has to be generally and available too, somehow. Then, you’d have your virtual magic carpet ride!
Well. Worth. It. (Slightly) lucky you*. Lucky me. If it were possible to have custom edits, I’d like one that opens directly with the “Equipment/Gear” segment beginning at 4:01, followed by the summary of the trip i.e. the section from 0:42 – 1:20, then whatever other footage there may remain that is not already included, using its current order within the extant cut. Custom edits (the means to edit the published article, made available in a graphical interface, along with a gallery where the alternate edits thus created could be put on display) would serve as an additional way to engage an audience — and encourage people to begin thinking more about the relevant creation process. You have to start somewhere. * You make your own luck, IOW.
Awesome and fun trip. I love Beaver Island, though it has been 25 years since the last visit. Also, that is some horrible fuel mileage. I used to ride a Jet Ski back in the ’90s and remember burning through a lot of fuel. Thankfully fuel was 0.79 cents a gallon and it was not until the Jet Ski had TONS of hours before my father said I was spending too much time on the water.
Come on bro, I’m sitting in Elk Rapids as I’m texting this. I know the terrain. It’s definitely a long day, especially if it’s a bit windy, but looking at your article it looks about as calm as Lake Michigan gets. It’s at the most 20 miles across where you crossed. So just giving you the benefit of the doubt seeing where you started from, I’d say at most it was a 40 mile trip. Not to be a hater but you can look right here on YouTube and find guys that go from Florida to the Bahamas, (some of them) and back in one day. That’s about 190 miles. Across the ocean!!!!! So anyway what you did is commendable but certainly not a big deal.
What a beautiful RIDE! Glass water on the big lakes! So it’s less than 5 gallons one way cool! I once used to set nets on Lake Huron on the Canadian Side near Thessalon to Drummond Island. There were mornings me and my Grandpa would be out on that Lake in surreal crystal calm glass mornings…unimaginable experience to be gliding on the water with the sunrise and the early summer nip!
Looking at Lake Michigan from the UP side while driving along on US2 on a still water day – the water is so smooth. And I would wonder if anyone would dare to make a small boat or jetski trip across to Beaver Island (or much farther in this case) and then return. Where one has done it, more will follow. Hopefully the followers learn to be prepared – should something happen enroute. This vid offers some coaching that you shouldn’t just fill up the vessel and take off, so, thanks for that. Cheers!