Kayak question

[Kurt505]

Can someone tell me, for a sit on top model, what is required for a vessel safety kit by law? I can't seem to find a specific description as to what I need, only a generalized statement. I'm sure there are kayak fishers who answer this.

[RavYak]

Same as a small boat. Supposed to have a life jacket, whistle(or horn), buoyant line, bailing container and water proof flashlight(if going to be out at night).

One option is to just go out and buy one of the $10 boat safety kits then you have everything.

[Kurt505]

What I don't understand is that a sit on top has scupper holes and is self bailing, I don't understand the need for a bailer.

[dragon]

you dont need a bailer obviously. Same as on my 20 ft pontooon boat... yah can't bail a flat deck...

Just like you don't need a fire extinguisher if you have no fire source... Witht he kits its nice cause its water tight but that's about it.

[Okotokian]

From the MEC site, quoting transport Canada (see bolded parts for Sit on tops)

PFD

Every paddlecraft is required to have "one Canadian-approved personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board." Inflatable PFDs and belt packs are popular with boarders and other paddlers because of their low profile. You must be wearing an inflatable device for it to be legal (an excellent habit to get into with foam-filled flotation devices too). Inflatables are not legal for whitewater because they are not inherently buoyant.

Sound Signalling Device

Every paddlecraft must have "one sound-signalling appliance that meets the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations, or a sound-signalling device." Provided it's pealess, a simple whistle (like the one that comes attached to many PFDs) fulfills this requirement.

Heaving Line

Almost every paddlecraft is required to have "one buoyant heaving line at least 15m long." Sit-on-top kayaks are exempt, provided everyone on board is wearing an approved PFD or lifejacket (inflatable or foam).
Throwlines are great for whitewater paddlers, who can toss them from a river's edge to a companion in trouble. They are rarely used by sea kayakers or lake canoeists. Many non-whitewater paddlers carry a combination throwline-towline. A towline is more useful for most craft-to-craft rescues in open water, and for towing tired or seasick paddlers. If you're paddling on the sea, be sure any hardware on your towline is saltwater safe.

Bailer or Pump

"One bailer or manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping arrangements." A simple scoop made from a cut-up bleach bottle would fulfill the law, but a proper pump will empty your boat faster. This requirement doesn't apply to a "pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible." So paddleboards, self-bailing inflatable kayaks, and sit-on-top kayaks with hatch free flotation compartments are exempt.

Reboarding Device

"One reboarding device." This is required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard is more than 0.5m, so most paddlecraft are exempt. If you're paddling open water, consider carrying a rescue stirrup anyway. They're great for self or assisted rescues or even for those who can usually roll or reboard unassisted.

Flashlight

If you're paddling in darkness, fog, or snow, or if your craft is more than 6m long (like many double kayaks and expedition canoes) you're required to carry a "watertight flashlight." If you regularly paddle at night, consider a steady burning white light that is visible from all sides. It will give other boats a better chance of seeing you in time to react safely.


So basically attach a whistle to your pfd and you're good to go.

[Kurt505]

Originally Posted by Okotokian

From the MEC site, quoting transport Canada (see bolded parts for Sit on tops)

PFD

Every paddlecraft is required to have "one Canadian-approved personal flotation device or lifejacket of appropriate size for each person on board." Inflatable PFDs and belt packs are popular with boarders and other paddlers because of their low profile. You must be wearing an inflatable device for it to be legal (an excellent habit to get into with foam-filled flotation devices too). Inflatables are not legal for whitewater because they are not inherently buoyant.

Sound Signalling Device

Every paddlecraft must have "one sound-signalling appliance that meets the applicable standards set out in the Collision Regulations, or a sound-signalling device." Provided it's pealess, a simple whistle (like the one that comes attached to many PFDs) fulfills this requirement.

Heaving Line

Almost every paddlecraft is required to have "one buoyant heaving line at least 15m long." Sit-on-top kayaks are exempt, provided everyone on board is wearing an approved PFD or lifejacket (inflatable or foam).
Throwlines are great for whitewater paddlers, who can toss them from a river's edge to a companion in trouble. They are rarely used by sea kayakers or lake canoeists. Many non-whitewater paddlers carry a combination throwline-towline. A towline is more useful for most craft-to-craft rescues in open water, and for towing tired or seasick paddlers. If you're paddling on the sea, be sure any hardware on your towline is saltwater safe.

Bailer or Pump

"One bailer or manual bilge pump or bilge-pumping arrangements." A simple scoop made from a cut-up bleach bottle would fulfill the law, but a proper pump will empty your boat faster. This requirement doesn't apply to a "pleasure craft that cannot hold enough water to make it capsize or a pleasure craft that has watertight compartments that are sealed and not readily accessible." So paddleboards, self-bailing inflatable kayaks, and sit-on-top kayaks with hatch free flotation compartments are exempt.

Reboarding Device

"One reboarding device." This is required if the vertical height that must be climbed to reboard is more than 0.5m, so most paddlecraft are exempt. If you're paddling open water, consider carrying a rescue stirrup anyway. They're great for self or assisted rescues or even for those who can usually roll or reboard unassisted.

Flashlight

If you're paddling in darkness, fog, or snow, or if your craft is more than 6m long (like many double kayaks and expedition canoes) you're required to carry a "watertight flashlight." If you regularly paddle at night, consider a steady burning white light that is visible from all sides. It will give other boats a better chance of seeing you in time to react safely.


So basically attach a whistle to your pfd and you're good to go.

Awesome, thanks!

[RavYak]

Re bailer, it depends on the sit on top model. If there are hatches you can get into easily such as an ocean kayak trident model then you are still required to have a bailer even if it does seem stupid. Having said that I have paddled a cracked sit on top and being stuck on a big lake with no bailer would not be a fun experience, once they start filling up they are very sluggish and eventually you will end up sinking.

[Lefty-Canuck]

I think even on a pontoon boat you are supposed to have a bailer...

LC

[Kurt505]

$10 for the cheap kit at CT is worth not having to worry about it. I have a couple sponges laying around that work better than any bailer I'll probably throw in as well.

[CanuckShooter]

What a crock....15m of rope? Buoyant at that? Does floating fly line count?


"one buoyant heaving line at least 15m long.


It doesn't say it has to be useful, or you have to be capable of making a 15m toss.....ya I'm sure an old floating fly line would fit the bill.