The content of this Web site is wholly independent of the Sandhill Crane Association. It is maintained on behalf of residents who want to preserve tranquility.
Lake Winnott Good Neighbor Guidelines
Developed 6/5/04 by concerned property owners.
Lake Winnott is a private lake in North Central Florida. Its moderate size and clean water make it excellent for outdoor recreation, including fishing, swimming, and boating. While many property owners, guests, and renters enjoy water sports here, it is also important to preserve the quality of life for permanent residents who need or prefer peace and quiet. Help make Lake Winnott pleasant for everyone by being kind, considerate, and courteous!
General Boating
Speed boats and thrill craft towing human beings or moving at high speed should try to keep to the middle of the lake or 100 to 150 feet from docks. (This figure is based on the Boat Smart program recommendation that water skiers keep a distance from standing objects of twice the length of the tow rope, which, for safety's sake, should be about 75 feet long.)Observe Florida boating safety and navigation regulations. Watch out for other boaters, as well as for swimmers and wildlife. Online courses are available through the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission's Boat Smart program, which includes a review of navigation rules. Also see U.S. Coastguard safety links.Jet Skis (Sea-Doos, Water Bikes, etc.)
Please obey the law. Do not let children under the age of 14 operate thrill craft.Please try to operate in the less populated areas of the lake, avoiding the narrow, densely settled cove on the East end and keeping a safe distance of about 100 feet from docks and shorelines. Avoid marked "Quiet" areas.Please remember that some of the people who live here work nights or at home and need quiet at certain times. Folks who have worked a long day deserve to sit on their porches or docks in the evening without the grinding noise of motors to disturb them. Please keep your jet ski operation to a reasonable duration. (The Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission cautions against excessive jet ski use in residential areas, because of the noise nuisance factor.) Airboats
Please do not operate airboats on Lake Winnott. This lake is both too small and too residential to accomodate that
kind of noise. Conflict Resolution
If possible, address complaints about noise or safety directly to your neighbors, either in person or by phone. Recourse to Fish and Wildlife or the police should be used as a last resort or if you feel that is the safest route to take. Contact owners of rental properties directly and ask them to urge their tenants to observe the same courtesies that lake residents typically observe.
Printer-friendly version of guidelines above. Click here to read more specific tips.
Resources & Links
News 
In the '60s and '70s, only a couple dozen families lived here. Today, Lake Winnott is almost entirely residen- tial, and the noise from PWCs disturbs some of the residents. You wouldn't want an ATV or dirt bike circling in front of your home or around your neighborhood for hours on end. We don't either!
Don't be afraid to speak up!
Compare noise levels in decibels: Commercial jet takeoff @ 200': 120db; jet ski @ 83': 105db; lawn- mower @ 3': 100 db; most ski boats @ 100': about 50 db. At 85 db, hearing damage begins to occur.
NPC Quiet Lakes Program
"PWCs--Havoc in their Wake"
Jetski Position Paper
Creating a PWC Ordinance
Hearing Loss & Decibel Level
FWC Online Boating Safety Course
FWC Nautical Know-How Course
FWC on Jet Ski Courtesy
2003 Lakewatch Data
2003 Water Chemistry Summaries
2003 Trend Analyses