Flotation inspection dates

[Gene Dellinger]

Inspection Information
Inspections are held are the Dane County Parks Operations Office located at 4318 Robertson Road, Madison, WI. Inspections at this location are done only at the dates and times listed. (Do not go to this address at any other time expecting inspection.)

2013 – 2014 Dates
Thursday Evenings: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Saturday Mornings: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM
Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26. Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30. Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28. Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25

Dane County Sheriff’s Office Marine and Trail Enforcement Bureau 608-284-6878

2013 – 2014 Flotation Inspections
Dane County Ordinance Chapter 71 requires certain motorized vehicles operated on lakes within Dane County to be equipped with flotation. The requirements are as follows:
Lakes Mendota – Monona – Wingra
Vehicles weighing over 850 lbs. require a special use permit. Vehicles weighing under 850 lbs. require flotation and a permit.

All other Dane County Lakes
Vehicles weighing over 850 lbs. require a special use permit. Vehicles weighing between 750 – 850 lbs. require flotation and a permit. Vehicles weighing under 750 lbs. have no restrictions. Requirements All vehicles requiring flotation and/or a permit must be inspected. Inspection dates, times and location are listed (and are available on our website at www.danesheriff.com).

Flotation
Flotation must be mounted as equally as possible, front and back, or side-to-side. The floats must be hard mounted to the machine (bolts, metal brackets, chain, cable, etc.) Nylon straps, bungee cords, ropes, etc. are not permitted.

The flotation material used most commonly is Styrofoam, either in sheets, blocks, or sprayed. Popcorn or peanut type packing material is NOT acceptable. The flotation should be enclosed/protected by wood, metal, aluminum, or plastic to prevent it from breaking. Air filled containers are not acceptable. Pictures of sample flotation devices are viewable at www.danesheriff.com. The black nylon float cases and inflatable Nebulus are approved.

Each cubic foot of flotation will float 60 lbs. Diameter measurements can be deceiving. Each diameter measurement listed below equals one cubic foot of flotation. If using cylinders, you will need to multiply the length times 5 for an ATV, and times 16 for a snowmobile to get the correct cylinder length needed.

Inspection Fee
There is a $10.00 inspection fee for all new and renewal inspections. The fee is payable by cash or check (must have photo ID), and must be paid at the time of inspection. 6-inch cylinder X 61-inches long 8-inch cylinder X 35-inches long 9-inch cylinder X 27-inches long 10-inch cylinder X 22-inches long 12-inch cylinder X 15-inches long 14-inch cylinder X 13-inches long (PLEASE NOTE – side by side UTV’s (i.e. Polaris Ranger, John Deere Gator) exceed weight limits and are NOT approved to operate on Dane County Lakes.)

Inspection Information
Inspections are held are the Dane County Parks Operations Office located at 4318 Robertson Road, Madison, WI. Inspections at this location are done only at the dates and times listed. (Do not go to this address at any other time expecting inspection.)

2013 – 2014 Dates
Thursday Evenings: 5:30 PM to 7:30 PM Dec. 5, 12, 19, 26. Jan. 2, 9, 16, 23, 30.
Saturday Mornings: 7:30 AM to 9:30 AM Dec. 7, 14, 21, 28. Jan. 4, 11, 18, 25.

[bnelson]

thanks for the info Gene, question, it says vehicles under 750 lbs don't have restrictions. my 4 wheeler wet weight is 648 lbs. does that mean I don't need floats and the permit? Seems to me that is what it says but I have always heard ALL 4 wheelers needed the floats? and permit.

[Gene Dellinger]

What is says is you need a permit & floats for lakes Mendota, Monona & Wingra. For under 750lbs. on all other Dane County lakes, there are no restrictions.
You can call them at 608-284-6878 to have them clarify this.