This is just a friendly reminder of the Lake Rules and general boating “good neighbor” practices.
There are a lot of new homeowners and new boat owners who may not have operated their boats on our lake before and may not have thoroughly reviewed the lake rules.
Also, many of our boat owner’s children have come to an age in which they can competently operate a boat but may not have reviewed our lake rules. Similarly, guests with permission to operate boats may not be familiar with our lake community and lake rules.
There have been numerous observations of violations of our lake rules this year. While many of these instances are likely inadvertent, many may occur simply because the operator doesn’t understand the rules. **the lake rules are available at the POA office or via the GVL website. Here is a short review of the lake rules:
- All boats, PWC (personal watercraft such as SeaDoo, Waverunner etc.) must operate in counter-clockwise direction around the lake. Do not run up and down the middle of the lake, or criss-cross back and forth across the lake. If you’re maneuvering to facilitate water skiing, or tubing (such as picking up a downed skier or tuber) you may do so as long as you are traveling, generally, in a counter-clockwise
- A boat may only pull a maximum of 2 tubes at a time. All tube riders must be wearing a personal flotation device.
- Non-motorized vessels, such as sailboats, kayaks, canoes and paddleboats always have the right-of-way.
- Do not anchor, raft, or swim in the main body of the lake. Due to safety concerns this may only be done in No Wake Zones.
- Observe All No Wake Zones. All coves are no wake zones. For instance, The Marina Cove from the No Wake Markers all the way to the back shore line is No Wake. Similarly, the beach area and the cove at the small levee are no wake from the markers all the way back to the shoreline at the levee.
- No wake inducing equipment such as bladders may be used on the lake. The exception is that any boat “grandfathered” in as of March 31, 2017 may use this equipment on Mondays and Thursdays from 1:00pm until 4:pm.
- PWC (jet skis, Sea Doos, Waverunners etc.) may not operate after sunset.
- Any boat operated by a person 12 to 18 years old must hold a Boating Safety Education Certificate issued by TWRA. Anyone born after January 1, 1989 must also possess the certificate.
NOTE: Any boat operating after sunset and before sunrise must display proper recognition lights, such as navigation lights, anchor lights, or other identification lights. This is Tennessee state and US Coast Guard mandated. This is a safety concern.
As for lake and boating etiquette it should be noted that when using the lake all operators are reminded to respect their neighbors when enjoying the lake. Many residents enjoy their time floating or swimming. Please observe the no wake policy to avoid disrupting their enjoyment of the lake.
Also, when operating, or anchoring it is acceptable to enjoy your sound system, but please do so at a volume that does not infringe on others around you. Please do not play any songs or content that is vulgar (you know what that is.) There are a lot of children enjoying the lake.
Bottom line: enjoy your time on the lake but please be respectful of the other community members also enjoying the lake.