Paddle

[mbhenry1955]

Ok guys, I can't find anything in the regs that say I must have a paddle.


I hear from both sides, some say yes and some say no.


Now granted, with a overall length of 25 foot a paddle would be all but useless!


Any Ideas?

 

[Rockie69]

http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/requiredequipment


Does not appear that you do.

 

[SEMPERFI8387]

Whether it's required or not, still good to have. We have 2 extendable orange paddles which also can be used for daytime visual distress signaling. Cheap insurance. 


And you'd be amazed at what those little paddles can actually do, to move the boat (in still water). 

 

[Indian_Lake_Bum]

We get our boat safety inspected every year in the spring (requirement to be a member of the USFBA).  A member of the power squadron does the inspection and goes over everything that is required and makes sure that you DO have it on board.  It's free and I feel it's worth the time to have it done just to make sure you have everything required on board.  Besides you get a sticker that shows that you have been safety inspected and passed......normally they see that and just give you a wave.


  The dnr on our lake is pretty laid back until it comes to safety violations and kids on board.  Seen several boats last year get stopped for a safety check mainly because they had small children on board.


Here is a list of things they asked for and equipment he made sure was fully operational:


throwable cushion - distress flag - first aid kit - fire extinguisher (did show us how to test it to see if me needed a new one) - at least one anchor (we have 4) - current reg and stickers (OH and numbers) - horn is functional (other distress signaling device like air horn or whistle) - dock lights/nav lights/anchor lights all are functional - enough life jackets (our boat is plated for 13 and we have more jackets than that) - if we carried a marine band vhf radio (as well as cell phones)


During the inspection I asked him if we needed an oar (said wasn't required but was a good idea to have).  He then asked me if I had taken a boaters safety course and if my insurance came with spill clean up coverage (not that it's required but was something he suggested it to us) ....we have both.


I think that was everything they asked for.  It's been almost a year ago since we had the inspection done.......I have trouble remembering what I did last week


Your state may be different and even lakes within the same state can have different requirements (a lot of it is based on size).

 

[mattb]

Yeah, Ohio did away with the paddle requirement a couple of years ago.  I also ask to get a watercraft inspection if I see an officer when i'm out.  That way I do it at my convenience, not theirs.  

 

[Mike31406]

I have used mine twice to push off of a pesky sandbar.