Idle Speed
Lowest speed needed to maintain steering

La velocidad más baja que se necesita para mantener la dirección

Vitesse la plus basse nécessaire pour maintenir la direction

Die niedrigste Geschwindigkeit, um das Boot auf Kurs zu halten

Idle Speed means the lowest speed at which a vessel can operate and maintain steering control. The actual speed will depend upon the design of the vessel and on the vessel’s load, wind direction and speed, and the sea conditions. Generally, it will be between 1 and 3 miles per hour for outboard and inboard/outboard vessels, between 2 and 5 miles per hour for fixed shaft/rudder vessels, and the minimum speed merely necessary to effectively traverse breaking water for personal watercraft. For a non-motor propelled vessel, idle speed means that speed necessary for steerageway.

Slow Speed
Settled in the water, not plowing, minimum wake

Asentado en el agua, sin surcar, estela mínima
Stable dans l'eau, ne creusant pas l'eau, sillage minimal

Das Boot ganz im Wasser, nicht das Wasser durchfurchen, minimales Kielwasser

"Slow Speed" means the speed at which a vessel proceeds when it is fully off plane and completely settled into the water, and not producing a wake that endangers other vessels under the existing circumstances.

A vessel in a slow speed zone:
(1) that is operating on a plane is not proceeding at slow speed;
(2) that is in the process of coming off plane and settling into the water which action creates more than no or minimum wake, is not proceeding at slow speed;

A vessel in a slow speed zone:
(1) that produces no wake or minimum wake is proceeding at slow speed;
(2) that is completely off plane and which has settled into the water is proceeding at slow speed.

Do Not Enter
Prohibido entrar
Entrée interdite
Kein einfahrt

Resume Safe Speed
Reprendre vitesse normal
Fangen Sie eine sichere
Geschwindigkeit an

The following areas are hereby designated as Areas of Regulated Water Activity and Limits Boats To Idle Speed:
(1) All waters within 500 feet of the shoreline from all beaches whether or not so designated with appropriate signs; and
(2) All waters within 500 feet offshore from any water-oriented structure, whether or not designated for such purpose by appropriate signs; and
(3) Any area designated as an official “NO WAKE - IDLE SPEED ONLY” area which is so posted in such a manner and place that it may be reasonably expected to be seen and read by a person in operation of a vessel within the area.

• Ingress and egress to the beaches shall be perpendicular to the shoreline and parallel cruising of the shoreline is prohibited.
• Personal watercraft and jet boats are subject to the same Rules of Navigation required for all vessels.
• Boaters are always responsible for their wake and any damage caused by it.

Reference: Lee County Ordinance 02-14