Boating Info

Invasive Species Protocol

Our Ginger Cove boat ramp gate is to remain locked at all times. Powered watercraft may only be launched from the Ginger Cove boat ramp and only after registration has taken place.  No powered watercraft whatsoever may be launched from anywhere other than the Ginger Cove boat ramp.  If your watercraft is removed from Ginger Cove for any reason other than maintenance, it may not be relaunched at Ginger Cove until the following boating season in the next calendar year.  If your watercraft is removed from Ginger Cove for service/maintenance, the owner must provide a dated repair receipt from the vendor to a Ginger Cove key holder or Board member in order to obtain a key to the boat ramp to re-splash your boat.  There are no exceptions to this rule, including test drives of new/used watercraft or family boating vacations to a different lake.  Zebra Mussels and other invasive species will destroy our lake and our property value.  Please help us protect our most precious commodity by strictly adhering to these policies so that we can all enjoy the use of our lake for many years to come.  Once you have launched your boat, it is your responsibility to lock the gate and return the key to the key holder that gave it to you as soon as possible.  Do not pass the key to another homeowner.  Guests are not allowed to bring in boats, personal watercraft, paddleboards or kayaks in an effort to prevent Zebra Mussel larvae and other invasive species from traveling from other lakes into Ginger Cove lake.  Please keep a supply of life jackets and water toys for your guests to use while visiting you at Ginger Cove.

Boat, Boat Lift, Seawall or Dock Purchases:  

New Purchases:  If you have purchased a new boat that has never been splashed in a different body of water, you may launch your new boat at Ginger Cove after completing the boat registration form and applying the required decals.  New boat lifts and new dock systems can be directly installed as well by approved vendors below:

Approved Contractors:  If you are installing a new dock or seawall, homeowners may select a contractor from the following list.  These contractors have agreed to decontaminate their equipment prior to use at Ginger Cove and have agreed to abide by our strict policies designed to protect our lake from Zebra Mussels and other invasive species.  Homeowners must obtain the boat ramp key for contractors.  Contractors will not be issued a key to our boat ramp.  If you’d like to use a contractor that has not been approved, please reach out to an HOA Board member who will get them the paperwork necessary for approval prior to starting your project.

Sharp Enterprises: 402-614-8817 Sandscaper: 402-203-2477         On The Water Docks & Lifts: 402-679-6008 Zach's Boat Lift Service 402-297-4247

Husker Dock & Lift: 402-981-2187 Omaha Marine Center: 402-339-9600         Outback Construction: 402-456-7968 Kirby Fisheries Dredging LLC 402-954-0075

MS Marine: 402-215-5205 Groundscapes: 402-397-5930 Sealand Marine: 402-334-8232 Waterfront Solutions 402-623-0060

  Brian's Lift Repair: 402-968-9605     Victory Marine:  402-721-1341     Valley Marine:  (402) 359-5926

    Shorestation Services: 402-670-6800         Sandsifters:  402-521-4714       Lake Services Dredge & Dock 402-960-5075
  Decks, Docks & Seawalls 402-591-1419      Page Land & Water Works:  402-885-9242     Waterways Construction LLC 402-719-8973

Used Purchases:  If you have purchased a used boat, lift or dock that has been used in a different body of water, you must have those items decontaminated by a certified specialist (including live wells and all ballast bags) or qualified Marine Service Center prior to splashing your boat at Ginger Cove OR dry quarantine at Ginger Cove for 10 days.  The nearest certified specialist is JD’s Car Wash & Detailing at 6070 N 261st Circle Valley NE 402-359-2160. The decontamination process requires you to drain all lake, bilge, live well, ballast and waste water and thoroughly wash with 140+ degree hot water.  If you choose to quarantine for 10 days, please notify a board member once your used boat, lift or dock has arrived at Ginger Cove so the quarantine period can begin.

Ginger Cove Registration and Lot Number Decals:  

All watercraft must be registered with the Ginger Cove HOA  prior to use and have Ginger Cove Stickers and Lot Numbers applied.  Instructions for where to apply the decals are included on the boat registration form which can be obtained from any of our Boat Ramp key holders (below) OR you can register your boat using our online form.  Once your boat registration form is complete and your lot decals are in place, please contact one of the following Ginger Cove Boat Ramp Key Holders to obtain your Ginger Cove sticker that will be applied near your lot decal.  They will ask you to text a picture of the decals (and decontamination receipt if applicable) to them.  The Ginger Cove sticker is your acknowledgement that you have read all State and Ginger Cove boating rules and regulations and you agree to abide by these rules as well as our Zebra Mussel protocols.  


Unlocking the Ginger Cove Boat Ramp Gate:

Contact any of our Ginger Cove Boat Ramp Key Holders at the number below.  Please try to make arrangements beforehand as much as possible to avoid having a situation where you're unable to contact anyone to obtain a key.  Never leave the gate open or unlocked.

Brad Hove          Lot #42 402-680-7679

Jim Knudsen                 Lot #97 402-312-3853

John Lawlor                  Lot #115 402-510-2209

Mary Lou Butler             Lot #151 402-672-7574

Safe Boating Rules Summary

See GCCAC Rules for Homeowners and Guests of Ginger Cove

State Laws:

All state laws concerning boating must be followed by each Homeowner, their family and their guests. Below are a few examples of the many Nebraska State boating laws that apply to Ginger Cove Lake: 

• No one under the age of 14 can operate a motorboat of any class at any time.  Must be 16 to tow skiers/surfers/boarders.

• Children under 12 must wear U.S. Coast Guard approved flotation devices while boating. 

• Youth born after Dec 31, 1985 must complete a boating safety course and be in possession of a certificate to operate a boat or personal watercraft (Jet skis, Sea-Doos, Wave Runners, etc.). 

• Boats pulling skiers must have either a wide-angle rearview mirror or an observer of at least 12 years of age. 

• Raise Orange Flag when a skier (or person being towed) falls. Do NOT display an orange flag when no one is in the water behind your boat.

Check out the annual Nebraska boating guide for more information about boating rules, registration, boating waters and more.

Lake Rules:

VI. BOATING  

A. GENERAL

1. 1. Operators of motorboats or personal watercraft must observe all state laws and Ginger Cove rules and boating patterns.

   2. Motorboats and personal watercraft must be operated in a safe manner, using good judgment at all times, and operators must be prepared to yield to anyone else who does not.

   3. Only one motorboat or personal watercraft may be operated at any one time from each lot. 

   4. At least one immediate member of the Homeowner’s family who is at least fourteen (14) years of age and familiar with all state boating laws and local Ginger Cove rules must be in a Homeowner’s motorboat whenever operated. 

   5. Except for fishing boats traveling under 5 mph within 75 feet of shore, all traffic shall travel in a counterclockwise direction around the lake. Traffic on Skinny River shall only travel in a counterclockwise direction in respect to the island.

   6. Maximum daytime motorboat and personal watercraft speed limit is 35 mph except as noted below:

a) One half hour after sunset until 8:00 a.m. – 5 mph (No Wake).

b) In Skinny River until 10:00 a.m. – 5 mph (No Wake).

c) In coves – 5 mph at all times (No Wake).

B. SKIING, WAKEBOARDING, WAKESURFING, TUBING, ETC

2. 1. Motorboats and personal watercraft are restricted to only two towlines at a time.

   2. When a person being towed falls, an observer in the towboat must raise an orange flag and the person who fell should immediately raise an arm to be more visible. Only display the orange flag when you have a person in the water. 

   3. No tubing or wakesurfing in Skinny River.

   4. When a person being towed falls in Skinny River:

a) Raise orange flag and stop immediately to verify that the person being towed is not in distress, then pull in the tow rope. 

b) If not in distress, the person being towed should move toward the shoreline and wait for the driver of the towboat to drive around the island (following the regular counterclockwise pattern) and return to pick them up. 

c) Do not restart the person being towed in Skinny River. Go to the main lake to restart.

2. 5. Do not drive your motorboat or personal watercraft  between a downed person and their towboat.

   6. Maintain a safe distance behind and between other vessels and a person being towed at all times.

   7. If a person being towed loses equipment, they are responsible for any damage the lost equipment may cause.

C. PERSONAL WATERCRAFT

3. 1. Operators of personal watercraft must observe all state laws and Ginger Cove rules and boating patterns.

   2. Personal watercraft cannot jump the wake of any motorboat with a person being towed or operate within 50 yards of any motorboat.

   3. Personal watercraft shall not be operated on weekends, holidays, and the day of the Ginger Cove fireworks display during the hours of 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

D. FISHING AND SAILING

4. 1. When fishing and traveling at five (5) mph or less within seventy-five (75) feet of shore, vessels may travel in either direction.

   2. Fishing boats or other vessels traveling under five (5) mph are not restricted to any location and may be anchored provided they do not obstruct other motorboats.

   3. State fishing laws apply to Ginger Cove Lake.

   4. No fishing under or near the bridge, to include the shoreline.

   5. Sailboats or sailboards shall not be operated on weekends, holidays, and the day of the Ginger Cove fireworks display during the hours of 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m.

Boat Safety Patrol:

Ginger Cove employs safety personnel during peak periods of activity on our lake.  Safety personnel should be treated with respect at all times.  They are in place to help our residents stay safe.  They are watching for use of correct boating pattern, safe towing practices and to remind residents to maintain a safe distance between other vessels.  If you are stopped by our Safety Patrol, please remember that they are our friends/neighbors and are in place to keep everyone safe.  It is very likely they will ask if you have the following required items on board:

Safe Boating Required Equipment

Operational fire extinguisher Oar or Paddle

Bailing bucket of some sort Whistle, bell or air horn

Engine kill lanyard in place Enough life jackets for everyone on board

One throwable life jacket/seat cushion Orange flag

Boat registration & proof of insurance Operational direction lights for nighttime operation

Ginger Cove Lake sticker Ginger Cove lot number stickers

Other items that are not required, but are a good idea

Mooring lines Rope for towing

Anchor Flashlight

Bumpers for docking First aid kit with something to use as tourniquet

Insect spray Sunscreen

Towels Engine oil, power steering fluid

Ginger Cove directory

Boat Trailers & Storage: 

Boats out of water and/or boat trailers must be removed from Ginger Cove within 7 days unless stored in a garage or left on a shore station. Boats on trailers may be parked in a driveway during the 15-day periods between April 15 to April 30 and October 15 to October 30, when Homeowners are readying their boats for use or storage. 

Consequences For Ginger Cove Rules Violations

First Rule Infraction:  

• Verbal or written citation

Second Rule Infraction:  

• Written citation

• Notice that any further infractions may result in a fine 

Third Rule Infraction:  

• Written citation

• $100 Fine

  • Fine must be paid within 30 days of the receipt of such notice. Failure to pay the fine when due will result in a doubling of the fine every 30 days until the fine is paid in full. 

Fourth Rule Infraction: 

• Written citation

• $200 Fine

  • Fine must be paid within 30 days of the receipt of such notice. Failure to pay the fine when due will result in a doubling of the fine every 30 days until the fine is paid in full.

Subsequent Infractions

• Written citation 

• $300 Fine

• Loss of lake privileges for the remainder of the calendar year.  At the end of the calendar year, the Member Homeowner must apply to the GCCAC Board for reinstatement

If you are new to boating, surfing, tubing or wakeboarding, here's a really good (short) video to watch to help prepare you for safe operation on the water (please note the rule change that wakesurfing and tubing are not allowed in Skinny River).  In addition, please feel free to contact any Board member with questions about getting started. 

 Boating is so fun that it's almost addictive!  However, it's also a huge responsibility since you are operating a large, heavy piece of machinery very close to other boats.