In this section:
Welcome to Boating on Lake of Bays (2021)
Dock Bubblers
Navigation Markers
Swim Rafts
PWC – Ride With Respect
Responsible Wakeboarding
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)
Marine Patrol
Boater’s Code
Boat Right. Be Polite. Pamphlet
Recreational Boating Survey 2004
Dock Bubblers
Important information on the use of dock bubblers, prepared by Lake of Bays Association Safety Committee. Open here . .
Navigation Markers
Who to call about navigation markers and buoys on Lake of Bays
The Canadian Coast Guard is responsible for the placement and maintenance of the navigation markers and buoys on Lake of Bays. If you see something amiss with the markers, please contact one of the Coast Guard offices below:
Local Coast Guard Office for Muskoka/Parry Sound:
Patrick McCallum – (705) 746-2196
Regional Coast Guard Office Sarnia:
Maureen Ring – (519) 383-1859
For more information, visit the Canadian Coast Guard Website: www.ccg-gcc.gc.ca
Changes to Buoys at Entrance to Ten Mile Bay, 2011
Swim Rafts
Structures used for recreation (i.e. Swim rafts and platforms, Slalom Courses, Wakeboard and Ski Ramps or Jumps) are subject to review by Transport Canada.Compliance with the following requirements will help ensure that any interference to navigation your project may pose is lessened and other waterway users rights are respected. . . swim raft application
PWC – Ride With Respect
Cottage Life has studied problems that have occurred with irresponsible PWC operation and have developed a poster with user guidelines. Their Ride with Respect * initiative advocates responsible PWC usage through a set of standards for respectful ridership, as well as conflict resolution guidelines for dealing with abusive PWC behaviour. Visit their website www.cottagelife.com
If you’ve got a neighbour who’s creating a problem on your part of the lake, take him a copy of the poster. (Going with another cottager or a member of your lake association can make this easier.) Ask him if he’s heard about Cottage Life’s Responsible Rider campaign. Tell him politely, but firmly, what the problem is, or simply drop off the poster and let him read it himself. You may be surprised to learn that he is unaware of how his PWC use is affecting others on the lake. It may be that the craft is ridden by guests or other family members, perhaps when he’s not at the cottage to witness the behaviour.
Responsible Wakeboarding
Wakeboarding has become an increasingly popular activity on our lake, but has generated its share of conflict between boat operators and cottage owners. Operators often like to run their boat in quiet waters close to shore or in small bays, yet their large wake creates havoc with wildlife habitat and cottagers’ docks and shorelines. Below is a link to a pamphlet created by the Lake of the Woods District Property Owners Association that tries to address this issue. If you operate a wakeboard, please read this and consider following the recommendations presented, particularly staying at least 300 metres from shore. If you are a cottager that is adversely affected by a wakeboard operator, print this off and use it to discuss the problem with him or her.
All Terrain Vehicles (ATV’s)
ATV’s are two-cycle 4-wheel drive machines designed for off-road use. The ATV associations have been petitioning municipalities to pass bylaws to permit their use on public roadways. LOBA opposes this. ATV’s pose an unwanted intrusion of noise, dust and damage on our cottage roads. Follow the link to read a copy of our letter to the Mayor of the Township of Lake of Bays. A similar letter was sent to the District of Muskoka.
Letter to Council regarding ATVs
Marine Patrol
Muskoka Lakes and Georgian Bay have student-run marine patrols on their waterways. Blaire Sharpe, a LOBA board member, has conducted a feasibility study for establishing one on Lake of Bays. He has concluded that there is little support from members to support this costly and high volunteer effort initiative, and that we should not pursue it further.
Boat Right. Be Polite. Pamphlet
This pamphlet was created as a result of the 2004 Recreational Boating Survey. Many of you recommended that LOBA provide some educational material to recreational boaters. “Boat Right” describes the boating regulations. “Be Polite” addresses what our fellow boaters and cottagers expect. Read this pamphlet and let it be a guide to your boat operation. The lake is getting busier every year. Being considerate of our friends and neighbours is not only safer, but it makes Lake of Bays a better place. Follow this link to a 2013 updated PDF version of the pamphlet.
Boat Right, Be Polite Pamphlet
Recreational Boating Survey 2004
The survey was initiated by a request from the Federation of Ontario Cottagers Associations (FOCA) to provide input into their activities. We took their survey and tailored it to LOBA’s needs. It has provided excellent guidance for the committee to address the opportunities and issues related to recreational boating. Follow the link to see the survey results.
