A proposed ban on houseboats, high-speed cigarette boats and other boats longer than 30.5 feet would not likely have a major effect on Weiss Lake boaters.

“It’s rare to see anything like that. Pontoons are usually 26 feet and most bass boats are 20 to 21 feet,” said B.J. Culberson, manager of the Weiss Mart at the Cedar Bluff boat dock.

The bill that would limit or ban certain boats on three Alabama lakes, including Weiss, passed the House of Representatives on Thursday and was headed to the Senate for debate this week.



Nick Simpson, who works at J.R.’s Marina in Cedar Bluff, said he thinks it’s just as well to ban the bigger boats from the lake because so much of Weiss Lake is shallow.

“In the summer, I’m always pulling somebody off the sand bars,” he said. The overall depth of the lake averages about 7 feet, he said.

The bill would not apply to sailboats and it would allow some boats already on the lake to stay.

Supporters of the bill say it would improve safety and water quality.

Opponents say the bill is to appease developers from Georgia who want to build on East Alabama lakes but do not want big boats on their waterfront.

If the bill becomes law, Weiss Lake, Lake Martin and Lake Harris would ban houseboats starting July 1, 2007; ban cigarette or other recreational boats longer than 26 feet 11 inches that are rated for or capable of traveling more than 60 mph starting Oct. 1; and ban boats longer than 30 feet 6 inches starting July 1, 2007.