Outdated Drivers Are Slowing You Down
One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchPC Slower Than It Used to Be?
A free scan shows the junk files, broken settings and background clutter dragging Windows down - then fixes them in one click.Free scan · Windows 10 & 11There is no single nationwide boating law called the “100-foot rule.” Some states use 100 feet as a boundary for no-wake or speed limits near specified people, boats, shorelines, or structures; others use different distances or rules. The vessel type, waterway, and posted restrictions matter, so check the current rule where you plan to boat.
What the “100-foot rule” can mean
The phrase is informal shorthand, not a complete legal rule. A 100-foot boundary may require a particular speed near certain people or objects, but it does not by itself tell you which vessels are covered, what speed is allowed, or whether exceptions apply.
For example, Pennsylvania’s regulation limits boats to slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of listed shoreline, docks, launch ramps, swimmers, downed skiers, and other listed users or vessels. It provides an exception for certain zoned ski and authorized ski-return areas, and separately prohibits entering within 100 feet of marked water siphons or intake towers. Read the Pennsylvania regulation for its exact terms.
How state rules differ
These official examples illustrate why one state’s rule should not be applied elsewhere. They are not a complete survey of state boating laws.
Free tools Windows power users keep installed
One-click scans. No signup required.
#1 Best Overall
| Jurisdiction | What the cited rule or guidance says | Key distinction |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania | Boats must operate at slow, no-wake speed within 100 feet of listed shorelines, structures, people, and vessels. | The regulation includes a stated ski-area exception and a separate restriction around marked water siphons and intake towers. See the state code and the Fish and Boat Commission’s powered-boat guidance. |
| North Carolina | The cited statute applies to personal watercraft near specified anchored or moored vessels, docks, piers, swim floats, marked swimming areas, people, and manually operated propelled vessels. | It specifies 50 feet for the listed circumstances in narrow channels. See the North Carolina statute. |
| West Virginia | The personal-watercraft statute lists operating above slow or no-wake speed within 100 feet of specified boats, places, and people as reckless-operation conduct. | It also addresses jumping another vessel’s wake within 100 feet and following distance. See the West Virginia statute. |
| Oregon | State PWC guidance says to slow to 10 mph within 100 feet of another motorized boat or sailboat underway. | The guidance describes slow-no-wake limits within 200 feet of several other listed locations and people. See Oregon’s PWC guidance. |
| Maryland | A state brochure describes a 6-knot limit within 100 feet of listed objects and people in Maryland waters other than the Atlantic Ocean. | It also describes a separate wake-jumping restriction. See the Maryland brochure. |
Does it apply to all boats or just personal watercraft?
That depends on the specific provision. Pennsylvania’s cited rule applies to boats generally, while the cited North Carolina and West Virginia provisions address personal watercraft. Do not assume that a rule for a jet ski or other PWC also covers every boat—or that a general boating rule covers PWC in the same way.
How close can you pass a swimmer, dock, or anchored boat?
There is no nationwide answer established by the phrase alone. The applicable distance and required speed depend on state law and may differ by the object or person involved. A provision may require slow-no-wake operation, set a specific speed, or apply only to particular vessel types.
Rank #2
Before passing close to people, boats, or structures, check the current state boating authority’s rule for that circumstance and follow posted restrictions. Pennsylvania boaters can start with the Fish and Boat Commission’s powered-boat page, which points to handbook material and waterway-specific regulations.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What to check before relying on a 100-foot rule
- State and waterway: State law and local or posted restrictions may differ.
- Vessel class: Confirm whether the provision covers boats generally, personal watercraft, or another category.
- Covered people and objects: Check exactly what the distance is measured from and which users, vessels, or structures are listed.
- Required speed: “Slow-no-wake,” a miles-per-hour limit, and a knot limit are not interchangeable.
- Exceptions and special zones: Look for narrow-channel provisions, ski-area exceptions, and waterway-specific rules.
State regulations can change, so verify the current rule with the relevant boating authority rather than relying on another state’s distance or speed limit.
What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Quick Recap
Best Value
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
