Only a must for 16 ft boats and smaller? How about flares?
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
thanks!..I looked and looked for that on their site and looked right over it
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
I’ve wondered about that as well, nowhere n the regulations does it say anything about a paddle or alternate means of propulsion like it used to. I have had dnr ask for them in the past, but not in the last few years.
'06 Mckee Craft
184 Marathon
DF140 Suzuki
Just because it’s not required doesn’t mean that it’s not a good idea. If the boat is small enough to possibly paddle, even a little bit, mine will have a paddle.
I feel the same way about flares. I don’t give much thought to what is required, default to common sense here. I carry 3 times what is required. If you need help, day or night, you have to be able to attract attention in every way possible. Why would you not carry flares, and smoke:question: A lot of them. The ocean doesn’t suffer fools, or read the rule books.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
Also, flares do have an expiration date and yes DNR does look for that. Just a note from experience.
1991 21’ Parker Cuddy
One thing for sure you can never be to safe, Marine radio wold be a plus as well
Wicked fishing
175 CC Pioneer Bay sport
90 Yamaha 4 stroke
Something I’ll always have in my boat regardless of regulations
What are you supposed to do with expired flares! I have some and some good ones. There is no rule about having expired flares on your boat as well as the good ones. I will give the expired one a try if needed!
I keep all my expired flares in the boat, just make sure you have at least 3 in date.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
“Ships are the nearest things to dreams that hands have ever made.” -Robert N. Rose
All great ideas!
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”
I always have a paddle too.
I was on my friend’s ski boat in Idaho about eight years ago. Long-story-short: the motor wouldn’t crank and we were headed for a 5’ waterfall when I grabbed his paddle and paddled us to shore about 10’ short of the fall. If we hadn’t had a paddle we and his kids would have flipped off of the boat into some nasty rocks below the fall.
I know we don’t have waterfalls here in Charleston, but we do have structures that you wouldn’t want you and your boat to crunch into in a current. 
Semper Fi
18’ Sterling
115 Yamaha
Big Ugly Homemade Blue Push Pole
scary!
“you win some, you lose some…but nothing beats getting some!”