By Maggie Beamguard
Insider Editor
A decision years in the making came to pass at the Seven Lakes West Landowners Association Board of Directors meeting on Nov. 18. In a unanimous vote, the board voted to allow jet propulsion boats on Lake Auman, marking a significant update to the HOA’s boating regulations.
“The move comes after months of research, community input, and live demonstrations aimed at evaluating the safety, noise, and environmental impact of the latest jet boat technology,” board president Frank Ingham wrote in a statement to The Seven Lakes Insider.
The process of the vote was described in a November email to the community. A motion was made to change the Rules and Regulations to include jet propelled boats on Lake Auman, under the guidelines as written in the motion request.
The association’s Lake Committee, seeking to modernize the rules and regulations to accommodate advances in boat propulsion systems, initiated the proposal last summer. The process included a comprehensive review by the board, featuring on-water demonstrations and open evaluations using established metrics. Community members were invited to observe and provide feedback at two separate meetings.
Residents raised a variety of concerns such as noise levels and the potential for increased lake disturbance and safety risks due to higher boat speeds. Advocates of the change to the regulations shared manufacturer data highlighting noise reduction and safety features in newer jet boat models.
“The board’s independent research confirmed these findings, particularly for boats manufactured in 2019 or later,” Ingham’s statement read. “After weighing all perspectives and data, the board determined that the latest jet propulsion boats do not pose additional safety risks compared to other vessels currently allowed on the lake.”
Only newer jet boat models, those built in 2019 or later, will be eligible for registration and use by members. “The Rules and Regulations will be updated to reflect this change, ensuring Lake Auman remains both progressive and safe for all users.”
The use of jet-propelled boats on the lake can occur after an anticipated update in January to the rules and regulations.
“This decision underscores the board’s commitment to balancing technological innovation with community concerns, setting a precedent for future updates to lake policies,” the statement concluded.
Contact Maggie Beamguard at maggie@thepilot.com.
