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Chapman Lakes Conservation Association, Inc.--Official Web Site
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BOATING LICENSES
ALL motorized boats must be registered.
Individuals MUST have a valid Indiana Driver's License to operate a motorboat or personal watercraft on public waters.
A person who is at least 15 years old may operate a motorboat or personal watercraft if he or she possesses a BMV identification card AND has successfully completed a DNR-approved boating course.
NO ONE under age 15 may operate any watercraft with greater than 10 horsepower.
A factory-installed muffler or exhaust water manifold is required. Cut-outs or muffler by-passes are prohibited.
BOATING
Operators of personal watercraft must obey the same rules as motorboats.
All boats MUST have a Type l, 2, 3 or 5 WEARABLE personal floatation device (PFD) (usually a vest) for EVERY person in the boat. Boats over 16 feet in length must ALSO have an approved, throw-able PFD on board.
Operating at speeds in excess of idle speed is illegal within 200 feet of the shoreline. (Little Chapman Lake speed limit is always 10 mph.)
An observer is required for towing any skier, tube or other device.
Speeds in excess of 10 mph are illegal after 30 minutes before sundown and until 30 minutes following sunrise.
Powerboats must yield the right-of-way to sail boats.
Click here for more: http://www.boat-ed.com/in/handbook/
BOATING COURTESY
Ski or motorboat in a counter-clockwise direction around the lakes.
Obey "no wake" rules, particularly in shallow water, to avoid disrupting the lake bottom and fish spawning beds.
Wake turbulence from a motorboat or personal watercraft jet can travel as much as 15 feet below the surface, particularly at slower near plane speeds, causing damage to the lake bottom and fish spawning beds.
In general, fish spawning is April through June.
Remember, there are no white lines or lane designations on a lake. An always-alert boat operator who also practices common courtesy can enjoy the lake, avoid tragedy and save lives.
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Motorboating has become a popular pastime for hundreds of Hoosiers. Many of them join us at Chapman Lakes. Power boating is permitted on Big Chapman, while a 10 mph speed limit is posted and enforced on the much smaller Little Chapman Lake.
The number of motorized vessels on the lakes has increased many fold over the past 10 years. Personal watercraft use has increased more than five times. Power boating can be enjoyed here, but operators must boat responsibly to assure their enjoyment is sensible and causes no damage to the fragile lake ecosystem.
It is specially important to observe speed limits near shore. Big Chapman has an average depth of only about 7 feet because there are many, many shallow areas. Protect the lake bottom by observing idle speed in shallow areas, particularly when turning or accelerating with a personal watercraft.
Here are some items from many studies that you may not know:
The turbulence from a prop or jet can cause bottom damage for up to 15 feet deep at near plane speeds. This decreases water quality and can stir nutrients that can increase noxious weed growth.
The most direct damage caused by powered watercraft is in shallow water, or near the shoreline. In fact, studies prove more damage is
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done by a watercraft at about 6 to 8 miles per hour ("near plane"), than at idle or after reaching plane speed! Boat motors can add metals, nutrients and hydrocarbons to the water column. On average, 25 to 30-percent of a two-cycle engine's fuel may pass into the water column. It's another reason 4-cycle engines are gaining popularity.
Boat wakes can cause damage. Operators can be held liable for that damage. Boat wake damage is one reason for no-wake and speed zones.
Living at a lake involves assuming responsibility to boat with common sense. Boats interact with the aquatic ecosystem of plants, animals, and physical and chemical environment in which they live.
Boat operators need only observe a few common sense rules to avoid much of the damage that can be caused to the lake water quality and environment.
Please observe speed rules in shallow water. Most shallow water areas are NOT MARKED. Be aware of where you are boating. CLICK HERE for lake depth map.
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