Kayak Minimum Requirments

[coombro]

not really sure that a pfd is required in a kayak as the kayak will float making flotation to kling to,however if you have a good roll you won't need to sweat it. Most fishing type kayaks I've seen are so wide and flat bottomed kinda wonder how you would ever flip one unless you were in waters that those kinda kayaks shouldn't be in. Don't believe boating regultions cover these types of boats. I think boating regulations only cover mechanical propelled vessels. Arm strong powered ones are a differant class. I could be wrong?

[apb]

You definitely need a pdf. If you are out after dark you will need lights too. I have a wistle attached to my pdf just in case I need to signal. I also carry a first aid kit, water, rope, and, if cooler weather, a change of clothes. You can get a dry storage bag for that stuff. Oh, and if you do something stupid, you can flip a fishing yak even in flat water. Trust me on this one

Andrew

[coombro]

No doubt they will diffenatly flip could'nt begin to tell you how many times I've been upsidedown as stupid is as stupid does. I've never seen where the boating regulations address life jackets for a kayak or canoe?

[wolfewiz]

Any of you guys have a Hobie Pro Angler? Those look pretty cool.

[walkeraviator]

The Pro Angler is HUGE... its like the aircraft carrier of kayaks and weighs in at almost 100lbs. But the drive system is awesome. I personally like the Native Ultimate 14.5 with the foot drive thingie. It is like a trolling motor that is driven by bike pedals. The advantage being that you actually have reverse, and the hobie does not.

As for the PFD requirement, it seems that most kayaks fall in the Class A category of boats, which is anything that floats under 16 ft (301 KRA 6:001 Sec 1 (3) ).

301 KRA 6:020 Sec 4 (2) : States that operators of Class A vessels have to have a Type I,II,orIII PFD for each person on board.

The section on signaling devices only pertains to to Class 1 and up vehicles.

The section on Lights simply states that you have to have a white light that can be used in "sufficient time" to prevent a collision. So if you night fish in a canoe or kayak under 22' long all you need is a high powered flash light to be legal, but i would use a pole light.

I found all my information here. Keep in mind that Coast Guard regulations may be stricter if you are on a federal navigable waterway.
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/301/006/020.htm

[coombro]

The Pro Angler is HUGE... its like the aircraft carrier of kayaks and weighs in at almost 100lbs. But the drive system is awesome. I personally like the Native Ultimate 14.5 with the foot drive thingie. It is like a trolling motor that is driven by bike pedals. The advantage being that you actually have reverse, and the hobie does not.

As for the PFD requirement, it seems that most kayaks fall in the Class A category of boats, which is anything that floats under 16 ft (301 KRA 6:001 Sec 1 (3) ).

301 KRA 6:020 Sec 4 (2) : States that operators of Class A vessels have to have a Type I,II,orIII PFD for each person on board.

The section on signaling devices only pertains to to Class 1 and up vehicles.

The section on Lights simply states that you have to have a white light that can be used in "sufficient time" to prevent a collision. So if you night fish in a canoe or kayak under 22' long all you need is a high powered flash light to be legal, but i would use a pole light.

I found all my information here. Keep in mind that Coast Guard regulations may be stricter if you are on a federal navigable waterway.
http://www.lrc.state.ky.us/kar/301/006/020.htm

Man this has opened up a can of worms for sure. Clicked on this webb site and it's the first time I've seen canoes and kayaks addressed. Mind you I'm not trying to argue just find the answer, because as you well know during summer months our rivers and streams can get very shallow. There are times I don't carry pfds cause if i spill over all I have to do is stand up. Your site states that canoes and kayaks are required to carry a class IV device which acorrding to the coast guard is a cushion. So does that take us back to square one? My interpertation of it is you by law have to carry a class IV wnich is a cushion.

[kydonky]

not really sure that a pfd is required in a kayak as the kayak will float making flotation to kling to,however if you have a good roll you won't need to sweat it. Most fishing type kayaks I've seen are so wide and flat bottomed kinda wonder how you would ever flip one unless you were in waters that those kinda kayaks shouldn't be in. Don't believe boating regultions cover these types of boats. I think boating regulations only cover mechanical propelled vessels. Arm strong powered ones are a differant class. I could be wrong?

Coombro, Kayak have their own dangers and yes boating regulation do require life jackets.

From KDFW:
All vessels must carry one Type I, II, or III USCG–approved PFD for each person on board.

Although they do not specifically state kayak a kayak is a vessel.

You can follow the link below to the KDFW safe boater class. It's online and it's free to take the course. Certification for insurance discounts has a small charge.

This is a great course. I have owned a boat for over 30 years and I learned a few things from the course I did not know.

If you have time to read this thread online, you have time to take this course. You can read and take on chapter at a time and spread it out over a few days.

GO to: http://www.boat-ed.com/ky/index.htm