US Coast Guard Regulation

[dubob]

Thanks Bob, your information was clear, the law, not so much.  LOL

So..... my 18' Lund style built in 2000 has an ECOS installed and it works.  My boat planes at about 18 mph.  The definition of "displacement speed" is not given.  Of course my boat wakes at any speed (all do, the definition of wake speed is usually 10 mph), so I "assume" that displacement speed means when the speed of the boat displaces sufficient water that it planes.

Notice all of the "assumptions" I have made.   But, if I understand the law, I need to use mine (you cannot see it when I am using it due to the gunnel height and the location), but only above 18 mph???????

Opening this can of worms is .................... smelly.

Sorry officer, I just unhooked mine so I could stand and talk to you when you pulled up.  See, here is end of the cord right here.
Sorry officer, mine does not work, want to come on board and test it for yourself.
Sorry officer, I did not mean to let our boats separate when you were coming on board and make you fall into the water.  

I asked an LEO at Willard Bay a couple years ago about what constitutes a 'wakeless' speed.  He very clearly, and without hesitation, told me it is 5 mph.  I have used that as my wakeless area speed since he told me that.  And my boat produces a fairly healthy wake at that speed.  Almost every boat built with a planning hull will have a 'displacement speed' unique to its design, so a hard and fast value is not definable that would pertain to all vessels of that type.  If you get cited for a violation of exceeding this arbitrary value while not connected to the ECOS, then a judge/court will determine your guilt or innocence.  Good luck with that.