Lake Hopatcong Sail & Power Squadron

Lake Hopatcong Boating Regulations

The following boating regulations were taken from the NJ Department of Law & Public Safety.

a) From May 15 through September 15 of each calendar year, no 
   person shall waterski on Saturdays, Sundays or holidays 
   between the hours of 11:00 A.M. and 5:00 P.M. in the 
   following areas:

      1. Byram Cove;
      2. Between Racoon Island and Prospect Point;
      3. Between Prospect Point and Halsey Island;
      4. Woodport Cove;
      5. Between Halsey Island and Racoon Island.

b) No boats shall pull more than two skiers at any one time on
   Saturdays, Sundays or holidays from May 15 through September
   15 of any year except when participating in an exhibition
   or race sanctioned by the United States Coast Guard or 
   "Bureau".

c) The ski boat shall not be loaded beyond the manufacturer's
   recommended capacity. For purpose of this subsection, the 
   skier, or skiers, shall be included when determining the
   number of passengers in the boat.

d) While towing a skier, the operator of the vessel shall
   maintain a distance from any shore, structure, bouy, person 
   in the water, vessel or other objrct, of not less than
   the length of the tow line plus 100 feet.

e) The ski boat operator shall, when a skier has fallen, or has
   otherwise become disconnected from the tow line, reduce speed
   and return to the skier in a safe and resonable manner.

f) The dropping of skis for the purpose of barefoot or slalom
   skiing is prohibited, unless the ski is immediately retrieved
   by a following vessel.

g) No vessel shall be operated upon Lake Hopatcong between the
   hours of sunset and sunrise at a speed in excess of 10 miles
   per hour.

h) No vessel shall be operated upon Lake Hopatcong on Saturdays,
   Sundays, or legal holidays between May 15 and September 15 at
   a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour.

i) No vessel shall be operated at such a speed in excess of five 
   miles per hour within 100 feet of shore, any wharf, pier,
   bridge, dock structure, bouy or person in the water or 
   designated bathing area which is marked by buoys.

j) No vessel shall be operated at such a speed that shall cause
   100 percent of the hull to come out of the water. Operation
   of the vessel in such a manner shall constitute, without further
   proof, careless operation. An exception to this requirement will
   be allowed for operation during authorized races sanctioned by 
   the United States Coast Guard, the Bureau, or with a race test 
   permit issued by the Bureau.

k) When the water level reaches the Extreme High Water Level (Elevation
   924.20 feet) or when the gauge at the dam in Hopatcong State Park
   reads 9.5, a "Slow Speed - No Wake" condition shall exist.
Lake Hopatcong Sail & Power Squadron
Webmaster