RULES & REGULATIONS
Important information you need to know before renting or operating.
Who may operate?
Age + Boating Safety Certificate – Anyone born on or after Jan 1 1998 must carry a state‐approved Boating Safety Certificate to operate any motorboat over 10 hp. Operators < 10 yrs old may not drive; ages 10-11 may drive > 10 hp only with an adult aboard.
Renter of record must be 18+ with a valid driver’s license; minors ride as passengers only.
Mandatory safety gear
U.S. Coast Guard–approved life jacket (PFD) for every person.
Children under 13 must wear a PFD at all times on craft < 26 ft; all PWC (Jet Ski) riders must wear one, regardless of age.
Do not remove the throw cushion, fire-extinguisher, whistle/horn, or navigation lights provided.
Operating rules
Honor no-wake zones and stay 100 ft from swimmers, docks, or other boats.
PWC/Jet Skis: absolutely no operation between sunset and sunrise.
No bow-riding or sitting on gunwales while underway.
Keep tow-ropes ≤ 100 ft and have an observer onboard when towing.
Alcohol & Drugs
Operating with a BAC ≥ 0.08 —or under the influence of any drug—is illegal in Illinois and grounds for immediate termination of your rental (zero-tolerance).
Lake-specific horsepower & pass requirements
| Waterbody | Motor limit | Pass/Decal | Key notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Vermilion | Unlimited HP | VCCD daily or season decal | No-wake zones marked; boating & fishing allowed after dark. (Vermilion County Conservation Foundation, vccd.org) |
| Lake Mingo (Kennekuk) | 10 hp max | VCCD pass | Electric or ≤ 10 hp only; racing prohibited. (I Fish Illinois, vccd.org) |
| Sportman’s Lake | 10 hp max | Electric motors only | Check launch signage for any updates. |
| Herschel Lake | 10 hp max | Electric motors only | Check launch signage for any updates. |
Reservation & rental terms
Payment – Full rental fee + $250 damage deposit due at booking.
Check-in/out – Arrive 30 min early for safety briefing; late returns incur $50 per 15 min.
Capacity – Never exceed the posted persons/weight limit.
Fuel – Boats leave full; top off on return or pay refueling fee.
Weather – We may cancel for lightning, winds > 20 mph, heavy fog, or IDNR advisories; you may reschedule or get a full refund.
Damage/cleaning – Renter is liable for prop/gel-coat damage and excessive cleaning.
Environmental Stewardship
- Pack out all trash; no glass on board.
- Drain bilges/live-wells and wipe down hulls to prevent invasive-species spread.
Enforcement
Failure to follow these rules—or any directive from staff, IDNR rangers, or law enforcement—may result in immediate rental termination without refund and/or citation.
Quick Reminders
Bring your Boating Safety Certificate if you were born in 1998 or later.
Kids < 13 and all PWC riders wear life jackets—no exceptions.
Driver drinks = rental over.
Match your engine to each lake’s horsepower limit.
Be back on time & leave no trace.