Motorized Boat License
Vermont law requires all motorized boat and PWC operators born after January 1, 1974, to pass a boater safety course and to carry a boater education card. You can take the Motorized Boating Safety Course Here.
Right-Of-Way
When two boats are approaching head-on, each shall bear to the right. At an angle, the boat on the right has the right-of-way. Powerboats should yield the right-of-way to all canoes, kayaks, rowboats, sailboats, and windsurfers, and other non-motorized craft.
Wakes: Wakes must not endanger anyone. Canoes, sailboats and small boats are especially vulnerable to wakes. You are responsible for any act of yours which endangers or jeopardizes the safety, life, or property of another person. Boats that leave deep wakes behind them should never travel along the shoreline to avoid erosion and swimmers.
Where to Use A Motorized Boat
Waterbury Reservoir features three access points suitable for launching a motorized boat.
Waterbury Dam Access - This 24-hour access point has a paved boat launch for both paddle craft and motorboats. Camping and overflow parking is located south of the dam and is a short walk to launch area.
Blush Hill Boat Launch - This 24-hour access point has a paved boat launch for both paddle craft and motorboats.
Waterbury Center State Park - provides day-use access with a paved boat launch for motorboats and easy access for paddling.
The Moscow Paddlers’ Access is not suitable for motorized boars as it is a car-top launch only for paddle craft.
Waterbury Reservoir has a year-round 200 foot law and right-of-way law, which provides areas for quiet users as well as two year-round 5 mph / No Wake Zones. Please take note of these areas, and be mindful of quiet users. In No Wake Zones, motorized boats can not exceed 5 mph.
Elephant Rock is a popular area for all users but the landscape becomes very narrow at this part of the reservoir. This means the channel for motorized boats is reduced significantly. Please use extreme caution while passing through this area. We recommend no wake.
Boating At Night
Between sunset and sunrise a red/green light fore, and a white light aft visible from all directions, are required for motorboats when underway.
Personal watercraft (Jet Ski) may not be operated at nighttime.
PFD ( Personal Flotation Device )
Every vessel must carry at least one US Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person on board. A PFD must be worn by every person under age 12 on all vessels, and by all persons on a personal watercraft (Jet Ski).
Prevent The Spread Of Invasive Species
A critical part of protecting and preserving the Waterbury Reservoir, bodies of water across Vermont (and the world) is proper cleaning of boats to prevent the spread of invasive species. Transporting such nuisances is illegal and carries heavy penalties.
Boats, trailers and other boating equipment can spread aquatic invasive species from waterbody to waterbody unless properly cleaned, dried or disinfected after use. Although some invasive species such as water milfoil are readily visible to the human eye, many others are too small to be readily noticed. To avoid spreading invasive species please follow the guidelines in the following steps:
