Measured example · same 16 ft boat
Faster, fully on plane
Hydrodynamic lift raises more of the hull out of the water, so the boat displaces less water. Speed alone does not tell you the wake size.
44 km/h boat speed13 cm maximum wave at 50 m
Respect the lake. Protect the shore.
Watch your wake
Find your lake in the map previews below, then see where near-shore speed limits, low-wake transit and water sports belong. Slow does not always mean a small wake—your operating choices still matter in every zone.
MAX10km/h
within 30 m of shoreFederal speed rule in Ontario
300m+
High-wake water sports
Seven lakes at a glance
See your lake’s shoreline zones
These previews use the same shoreline-distance bands as the full maps below. Select your lake for a larger view, distance scale and complete guidance.
0–30 mLegal speed zone
30–200 mNot suitable for water sports
200–300 mWell-trimmed planing transit
300m+Acceptable water-sports zone
Quick-reference previews only—not navigation charts. Select any lake to jump to its larger, detailed map. Burdock and Coleman are no-motor lakes; local restrictions always take precedence over the distance bands shown here.
Try different operating settings
See how your choices change the wake
Adjust speed, engine power, trim, load, shoreline distance and towing to compare their estimated effect before you head onto the lake.
Operating modeTransition / plowingThe bow is high and the hull is displacing the most water. Avoid lingering here.
Relative wake84/100
Est. maximum at shore~27 cm
Estimated arrival~14 sec
Relative shoreline risk screenComparative model indicator · not a damage forecast
Risk scaleLowCautionHigh
Operating guidanceNot recommended in any conditionsA bow-high plowing hull displaces heavily. Pass through this range promptly rather than sustaining it.
AvoidNesting wildlifeLoons and shoreline nests
HighShoreline erosionBanks, soil and sediment
HighDocks and propertyDocks, boats and structures
HighSwimmers and watercraftPeople, paddlers and small craft
HighBoat profile · parallel to shore
Boat speed19 km/h
~35 cm
~25 cm
~17 cm
Maximum at shore~27 cm
Top view · travelling parallel to shore
Boat speed19 km/h
~35 cm
~24 cm
~17 cm
30 m
shore
Maximum at shore~27 cm
Why the slower boat can make the larger wakeIn one measured test at 50 m, a boat plowing at 19 km/h made a 22 cm wave. Once fully on plane at 44 km/h, it made a smaller 13 cm wave.A plowing hull pushes more water aside. These are reference measurements—not predictions for every boat.
Illustrative simulator—not a navigation or engineering model. The controls show an educational estimate, not a predicted wave height for a particular boat. The estimate is calibrated to published measurements for one 16-foot Boston Whaler, then applies simplified distance attenuation. Hull, load, engine power, trim, water depth, course, tow setup and weather all matter.
How is the estimated wave height calculated?
1 · Starting wave
The speed curve is anchored approximately to the published 16-foot Boston Whaler example: 22 cm at 19 km/h while plowing and 13 cm at 44 km/h while planing, both at 50 metres. It produces a 0–100 relative score, then uses +5.5% per bow-high trim step, a 0.78–1.22 load scale, +16% for towing and a power/low-speed adjustment. The score becomes a starting height at 0.42 cm per point, capped at 55 cm. These adjustment coefficients are ours—not measured constants from the study. The two following crests are displayed at 78% and 60% of the leading crest.
2 · Distance decay
The animation reduces height with a smoothed inverse-cube-root curve:H(d) = H₀ × [25 ÷ (25 + d)]1/3where d is distance travelled in metres. The University of Minnesota field study also fitted measured wake-height decay with power laws; examples in its Condition 2 results use exponents of −0.332 and −0.371. The 25-metre smoothing value is a display calibration, not a physical constant.
3 · What remains illustrative
Arrival time assumes a wave speed between 1.45 and 2.35 m/s, while the green, orange and red risk labels use educational thresholds based on estimated shore height. Neither is a site-specific engineering result. The model does not solve for hull geometry, wave period, bathymetry, wind, reflection or shoreline slope.
STAC technical review, Table 1 (p. 16) →University of Minnesota field study, methodology p. 52 and Figures 22–23 →
The rule, precisely
30 metres is a speed limit—not a promise of zero wake
Canada’s Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations prohibit operating a power-driven or electrically propelled vessel above 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore in Ontario, subject to listed exceptions. “No wake” is the better operating goal near shore, but it is not the wording of this general federal rule.
Ten kilometres per hour can still produce a damaging wake on some hulls. Inside 30 metres, watch the water behind you and reduce throttle until the wake settles—not merely until the speedometer reads 10.
Wake is about displacement
The slower boat can make the bigger wave
These diagrams use a published measured example for the same 16-foot planing boat at two speeds. At 50 metres from its path, the slower transitional run produced the larger maximum wave.
Measured example · same 16 ft boat
Slower, but still plowing
The hull sits deeper and pushes a larger volume aside. A heavy load, stern-down trim or sustained throttle in transition can make this effect worse.
19 km/h boat speed22 cm maximum wave at 50 m
Published measurements—not a prediction for every boat. A 2017 STAC review summarizes measurements for a 16-foot Boston Whaler at 50 metres from its sailing line: 22 cm at 19 km/h and 13 cm at 44 km/h. Hull design, load, trim, depth, course and weather can produce different results. Source: STAC technical review, Table 1 (p. 16) →
At the helm
4 key things to remember
Keep these four checks in mind every time you leave the dock.
Inside 30 metres
Stay at or below 10 km/h and use the lowest-wake setting your boat can maintain. Usually that means true idle, bow down.
Use the mapped 300m+ area
Keep wakesurfing and other high-wake water sports inside the blue 300-metre-plus area. It is a precautionary local margin—not a guarantee of zero impact.
Avoid the plowing zone
Wake size changes across displacement, transition and planing speeds. Avoid lingering bow-high in the transition range.
Look beyond the boat
Your wake keeps travelling after you pass. Check docks, paddlers, anglers, swimmers, nests and soft or steep banks before adding throttle.
Simple operating rule
Near shore: true slow, bow down, smallest possible wake. In open water: either cleanly on plane or truly slow—avoid lingering in the bow-high transition range. Move wake sports much farther out. University of Minnesota field testing compared two wakesurf boats with two typical planing tow-sport boats. Under typical operation, the wakesurf boats needed more than 500 ft (about 152 metres) for wake height, energy and power to fall to similar levels. Use the map’s blue 300-metre-plus area as an added local margin. Even there, keep watching the wake and reduce it around people, property, wildlife and vulnerable banks.
Seven lake maps
Know the shoreline zones before you add throttle
Choose a lake to see the calculated shoreline bands. They are drawn using a local metre projection. The 30-metre line marks the federal speed rule. University of Minnesota testing found wakesurf boats needed more than 500 ft (about 152 metres) for their wakes to fall to levels similar to the typical planing tow-sport boats in the study. The maps keep water sports outside 300 metres and identify 200–300 metres only for well-trimmed planing transit. Those boundaries are conservative local planning choices—not research-defined safe cutoffs.
Shoreline-distance map
Redstone Lake
Best suited forBroadest range of boating
Low-wake shoreline travel, planing transit and a practical 300m+ high-wake area.
Mapped surface area Area loadingAcceptable water-sports zoneChecking this lake’s mapped shoreline separation.
Distance
0500 m1 km
0–30 m · legal speed zone 30–200 m · not suitable for water sports 200–300 m · well-trimmed planing transit 300m+ · acceptable water-sports zone
30 m Legal speed zone
Maximum 10 km/h under the general federal rule. Aim for the smallest wake your boat can make.
30–200 m Not suitable for water sports
Keep tubing, skiing, wakeboarding and wakesurfing out of this band. Operate with the smallest wake conditions allow.
200–300 m Well-trimmed planing transit
Transit only: cleanly on plane, bow down and wake monitored. The measured planing examples made smaller wakes than the same hulls while plowing.
300m+ Acceptable water-sports zone
A candidate activity area—not a guarantee. Traffic, depth, rider safety and the actual wake still determine whether water sports are responsible.
Evidence behind the map
What the law and research support
Ontario’s general rule limits powered vessels to 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, subject to the regulation’s exceptions.
Justice Laws, VORR 2(7)–(8) →A technical review reports one 16-foot planing boat produced a 22 cm wave at 19 km/h while plowing, compared with 13 cm at 44 km/h on plane, both measured 50 metres away.
STAC technical review, Table 1 →The study compared Malibu VLX and MXZ wakesurf boats with a Larson LXI 210 and Malibu Response LX operating as typical planing tow-sport boats. Under typical operation, the wakesurf boats required more than 500 ft (about 152 m) for wake height, energy and power to fall to similar levels.
University of Minnesota summary →This page extends that evidence with a conservative 300-metre planning margin before highlighting a candidate high-wake area. The study did not establish 300 metres as a universal safe cutoff.
Read the underlying research →Read the bands correctly: 30 metres is Ontario’s general near-shore speed rule. Research supports avoiding sustained plowing and keeping large wakes farther away; it does not establish 200 or 300 metres as universal safe cutoffs. The yellow, green and blue boundaries are conservative local planning choices—not additional laws.
Planning aid only: These bands are calculated from Land Information Ontario shoreline polygons and are approximate. Water levels, islands, data age and map accuracy can change the real distance. This is not a navigation chart, survey or legal determination.
Why the extra care matters
The wake ends at someone’s shoreline
Repeated boat wakes can contribute to bank erosion and sediment resuspension, especially in sheltered or narrow waters. The effect depends on wave size, traffic, water depth and shoreline conditions; docks, shoreline habitat, swimmers and small craft can also be affected after the boat passes.
Protect your shoreline too Less shoreline erosion Less sediment disturbance Lower risk to nests and wildlife Safer water for neighbours
Wake and water-sports FAQ
Clear answers before you leave the dock
These answers separate federal requirements, published research and this page’s precautionary local recommendations.
Which Redstone area lakes can I do water sports on?
For the high-wake activities addressed here, only Redstone Lake has a practical blue area at least 300 metres from every mapped shoreline. The other lakes do not provide enough room to meet this page’s precautionary standard for high-wake water sports. That is a local planning recommendation—not a declaration that an activity is legally permitted or prohibited.
Compare the seven lake maps ↑Geospatial Ontario map-data context →
How far from the shoreline should I be when doing water sports?
For tubing, waterskiing, wakeboarding and especially wakesurfing, use the mapped blue area at least 300 metres from every shoreline. University of Minnesota testing found wakesurf boats operating typically needed more than 500 ft (about 152 m) for wake height, energy and power to fall to levels similar to the two typical planing tow-sport boats tested. The 300-metre boundary adds a local margin; it is not a universal safe distance.
Is 300 metres from shore a legal requirement in Ontario?
No. Ontario’s general federal rule prohibits operating a power-driven or electrically propelled vessel above 10 km/h within 30 metres of shore, subject to listed exceptions. The 300-metre distance is this page’s conservative local recommendation for high-wake activities—not a law.
Can I tow a skier or tube inside 30 metres of shore?
The 10 km/h rule has an exception for a vessel towing a person when it follows a course away from and perpendicular to shore. That narrow exception does not make parallel-to-shore towing or a large wake near people, docks or vulnerable shoreline responsible. All other safe-operation and towing rules still apply.
What are the Canadian safety requirements when towing a rider?
A person other than the operator must watch every person being towed and communicate with the operator. The boat needs seating space for every towed person, required flotation must be worn or carried as specified by the regulation, and towing is prohibited during restricted visibility and from one hour after sunset until sunrise. Wearing an approved lifejacket or PFD is the safer choice.
Small Vessel Regulations, section 1005 →Transport Canada Safe Boating Guide →
Can a slower boat make a larger wake?
Yes. In one published example, the same 16-foot Boston Whaler produced a 22 cm maximum wave at 19 km/h and a smaller 13 cm wave at 44 km/h, both measured 50 metres from the boat path. A bow-high boat plowing through transition can displace more water than the same hull running cleanly on plane.
How do engine power, trim, load and towing change a wake?
These settings change hull attitude, displacement and drag, so speed alone cannot determine wake size. High power at low speed, bow-high trim, extra load or a tow can increase the wake. The simulator is an educational comparison calibrated to one published boat example—not a prediction for a particular vessel. Watch the wake your boat is actually producing.
What should I check before making wake?
Check for swimmers, paddlers, anglers, small craft, docks, moored boats, nesting wildlife and soft or steep shorelines. Canadian safe-operation rules require operators to consider circumstances that could create danger and to avoid endangering people involved in activities on the water. Distance alone does not make a wake safe.
Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, section 15 →STAC review of wake effects →
Are the shoreline-distance maps exact or suitable for navigation?
No. They are planning aids calculated from Ontario shoreline polygons in a local metre projection. Water level, islands, shoreline-data age and map accuracy can change the real distance. Use current charts, on-water measurements and good judgment; these maps are not navigation charts, surveys or legal determinations.
Sources & further reading
- Justice Laws — Vessel Operation Restriction Regulations, section 2
- Transport Canada — Ontario’s unposted 10 km/h / 30 m rule
- University of Minnesota — Boat-generated wake-wave study
- Virginia Sea Grant review — boat wakes, shoreline erosion and measured wake table
- Maynord — Wave height from planing and semi-planing small boats
- Justice Laws — Small Vessel Regulations, water-sports towing rules
- Geospatial Ontario — provincial map-data context