Ok so what’s the story with kayak regs. Anyone ever gotten stopped on the water or have any interesting experiences?
I think you have to have a pfd and a whistle. And fishing license obviously. Do you have to wear your pfd? I keep mine up in the front hatch in the bulkhead. Could I get a ticket for this?
What about adult beverages? I’m usually packing some cold ones in my cooler, and a little concerned about getting a KUI. Honestly wouldn’t surprise me considering the cocky attitude of most of the law enforcement I’ve encountered in Charleston.
On a side note, paddled up the stono from limehouse yesterday on the incoming. Friggin beautiful day, only saw two boats the whole time, and put my buddy on his first fish from the yak. Lots of nice keeper size trout, all were released.
From what I understand, you only need to have the PFD and whistle with you. I am not sure if you need to be able to reach it.
When I was buying my yak, I asked about PFDs and Dolphin D asked me if I was going to wear it or store it. He explained that many people who kayak fish do not wear the PFD, but keep it on the boat. He also explained that it is a good size ticket if you don’t have your PFD and whistle with you.
I am not sure if we need a light at night. I think that is only ofr power boats. Either way, it is probably safer to be seen by the other boats. I do not plan on being out at night, so it is not an issue for me.
Im not sure about the class and what not but you dont have to wear it you just have to have it on board. As far as lighting, we are required to have one white light visible for 360 degrees between dusk and dawn.
I asked about PFDs and Dolphin D asked me if I was going to wear it or store it. He explained that most people who kayak fish do not wear the PFD, but keep it on the boat. He also explained that it is a good size ticket if you don’t have your PFD and whistle with you.
BC
Mt P, SC
Wag more. Bark less.
Just to clarify “ALWAYS WEAR YOUR PFD”. </font id=“size4”> Now that that is said, the law only requires it to be onboard with you. I don’t always wear mine, but many people do.
As far as lighting, you need a directional white light</font id=“size4”>. Most people accomplish this with a headlamp or flashlight. There are lights that will attach to a PFD and scotty even makes one on a pole that will fit in a scotty base. Make sure you have a light and have it on at the POSTED SUNSET TIME</font id=“size4”>. I have a customer who gat a big ticket for not having a light at about 7:30 one evening becausse sunset was officially at 7:05 that night.
For drinking, drink up (within reason) just refer back to rule number 2:smiley:
DD
Im not sure about the class and what not but you dont have to wear it you just have to have it on board. As far as lighting, we are required to have one white light visible for 360 degrees between dusk and dawn.
Thats why they call it fishing, not catching
Check on the regs for each type,PULL OVER PFD’s MUST BE WORN!!</font id=“size4”>
I just bought my kayak on Saturday and already I have been issued a ticket from DNR for not having a pfd. The bad thing is I bought a PFD and whistle for the boat, and I also took the safety gear to the boat landing. Unfortunately, in my excitement I forgot to put the stuff in the kayak and was issued a ticket from DNR when I got back to landing after a fine maiden voyage. What a way to learn a lesson. Well I won’t let this get me down, I guess I’ll pay the price and continue with the fishing.
PFD laws for kayaks are like seatbelt laws for cars, ridiculous. I’m all for wearing your seatbelt. But if I don’t, I’m the only individual directly effected by not wearing it, and the only one who could be hurt as a consequence. Why does the man need to get involved there?
But the ultimate irony in South Carolina - You can get a ticket for not having a pfd and a whistle on you kayak, ticketed for not wearing your seatbelt in your car, but you can ride a motorcycle with no helmet and don’t need a state inspection to boot. somebody explain that to me.
DD - good point about the light after dark. What is a pull over type vest? What is rule number 2?
I’m pretty sure I’m not a danger to anyone after having a few on the water, but I’ve met some DNR who would probably write a KUI if they could.
Sorry, I meant Rule Number one, “Always wear your PFD”. Pull over vests are usually used by whitewater paddlers and guides. They do not have a zipper, just loosen up and pull over your head like a shirt. Must be worn to be considered legal.
PFD laws for kayaks are like seatbelt laws for cars, ridiculous. I’m all for wearing your seatbelt. But if I don’t, I’m the only individual directly effected by not wearing it, and the only one who could be hurt as a consequence. Why does the man need to get involved there?
But the ultimate irony in South Carolina - You can get a ticket for not having a pfd and a whistle on you kayak, ticketed for not wearing your seatbelt in your car, but you can ride a motorcycle with no helmet and don’t need a state inspection to boot. somebody explain that to me.
As far as the seatbelt analogy, you just have to have a PFD with you. As far as the law getting involved, yes it is you that ultimately pays the price if you drown, it is all of our tax dollars and resources that go into rescuing you and paying your family’s welfare when dad can’t earn a living because he is dead. (not talking about you specifically, just paddlers as a whole.
Make it easy on everyone, buy a whistle and pfd (from me preferrably:smiley:), tie them together, and always bring along for the trip.
I would guess more of your tax dollars go into enforcing unnecessary laws than rescuing stranded kayakers.
And c’mon DD, Thats like telling a motorcyclist to go buy a helmet and leave it strapped on the back of his bike. You wouldn’t try to sell somebody a 90$ pfd they didn’t need I hope?
I did buy a nice pfd with my first kayak, but sold it on ebay after a month and got an orange stearns typeII for 3.99.
But your right that analogy has its flaws. I just know my top speed is around 5mph and taking a spill on a kayak just doesn’t compare to a bike on pavement. The law is saying, go ahead, ride your bike 70 mph, but you can leave your helmet at home. But, if you go kayaking, make sure you have that Styrofoam vest and your safety whistle. How is that fair? I realize some laws are for my protection or to save lives, I just wish there was some consistency.
I would guess more of your tax dollars go into enforcing unnecessary laws than rescuing stranded kayakers.
And c’mon DD, Thats like telling a motorcyclist to go buy a helmet and leave it strapped on the back of his bike. You wouldn’t try to sell somebody a 90$ pfd they didn’t need I hope?
I did buy a nice pfd with my first kayak, but sold it on ebay after a month and got an orange stearns typeII for 3.99.
But your right that analogy has its flaws. I just know my top speed is around 5mph and taking a spill on a kayak just doesn’t compare to a bike on pavement. The law is saying, go ahead, ride your bike 70 mph, but you can leave your helmet at home. But, if you go kayaking, make sure you have that Styrofoam vest and your safety whistle. How is that fair? I realize some laws are for my protection or to save lives, I just wish there was some consistency.
I agree with you on the motorcycle, I wasn’t trying to bust your balls.
I do wear my PFD on all night trips, on open water like the harbor or ocean, any time the water temp is below 70 degrees, on busy weekends such as fourth of july and memorial day, and on all organized trips like clubs and guided trips. It is not me that I am worried about on the water, it is the other drunken idiot in his new boat that doesnt see me that worries me.
So, all that being said, I do wear my PFD a good bit on the water. For that reason, I want one that has a good fit and is comfortable to paddle in, one that will hold up to years of use, and one that has safety features such as reflective highlights. These are all hard features to find on cheaper PFD’s. If you know you are never going to wear one, there is no problem with the Orange horse collar to be legal, just make sure your life insurance is paid up!!
I was issued the ticket at Jessen’s Landing on the Ashley up here in Summerville. I have no idea what the ticket is going to cost. The DNR officer simply gave me a court data on the ticket and told me that he would help me out in court (I’m not too sure what that means.) No worries, I understand the law exists, and I am willing to pay any reasonable fine for being a forgetful idiot.
What a way to learn a lesson. Well I won’t let this get me down, I guess I’ll pay the price and continue with the fishing.
