Rules & regs for tubing ??

[fishing4thehog]

So the state says i need to register my toon.. All about the $$.. So im sure there are rules and regulations.. Do you need a personel floation device ? There are 2 of them on each side of me.. Its a great idea but is it the law ? Now what about oars ?? I do have 2 but i dont take them every time. Any one have a link to the regs ??
Thanks
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[TubeDude]

[cool][#0000ff]Yes, you do need a separate PFD. But, you do not have to wear it...unless you are under 12 years old. However, if you are checked on the water and do not have it you will be cited. The idea is not that you have two inflated air chambers but "what if" you take a tumble out of your craft...especially in moving water...or when blasted by a huge wave from a wakeboarder boat...or? Our government agencies only have your best interestes at heart. Ha! But it is nice to have your body floating so that your family can have something to bury.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Unlike a boat, you do not need to carry a fire extinguisher. But you SHOULD carry a signalling device...like an airhorn. No requirement for the oars either but unless weight and bulk are a real problem you should take them. You might need them in a big blow...or in case of a medical emergency. A lot of tooners get by just fine with fin power for routine fishing but it is great to have oars when you need them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In addition to the registration you also need to take the online mussel certification test...and pass with 100 %. You need to keep a copy of that...along with your registration papers...in a plastic bag in your toon. Also need to put a copy of the certification on the dash of your vehicle whenever you launch your toon.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You won't find boating regulations in the DWR Fishing Guide. You need to go to DMV boat registration and regulations. Sorry. No link. But when you go to DMV to register your toon, be sure to take a picture of it and receipt for the purchase...even a handwritten bill of sale if bought used. Then you can ask to see if they have printed regulations or where you can find them online.[/#0000ff]
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[flygoddess]

They do kind of make them up as they go it seems. Kin d of funny too considering Tubes have been around for quite awhile and I have been using a motor for a quarter of a century on one.

What is Considered a Boat?
According to the Utah Boating Act, a boat is defined as every type of watercraft capable of transporting a person(s) on the water. Boats such as personal watercraft (PWC), rafts, canoes, kayaks, float tubes, and “kick” boats are subject to Utah’s boating laws and rules.

Does my Boat need to Be registered?
All motorboats, including those with electric motors, and sailboats must be registered and numbered. Boats exempt from Utah registration and numbering include sailboards and properly registered motorboats and sailboats owned by residents of another state that have not been in Utah more than 60 days in a calendar year.
Boats owned by Utah residents must be registered and numbered in Utah if used on Utah waters.

How do i register my Boat?
Boat registrations are processed by the Utah State Tax Commission, Division of Motor Vehicles. To register your boat, submit a signed application to your local office of the Utah Division of Motor Vehicles.
A registration certificate, along with two yearly regis- tration decals and two month of expiration decals will be issued. The assigned bow number must be displayed on the boat with the decals as shown below. The bow number will remain with the boat as long as it is registered in Utah.
The registration certificate must be carried on board the boat for which it is issued and must be available for inspection whenever the boat is in operation.

Where do I attach the registration decals and Bow numbers?
The bow number must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the boat. Numbers and letters must be of a solid color and block design, at least three inches in height and read from left to right. The bow number must contrast with the background color of the hull. Spaces or hyphens, equal to the width of a letter, must separate letter groups from number groups.
A bow number consists of the prefix letters UT, four numbers, and two suffix letters. For example: UT 2628 BP or UT-2628-BP.
The yearly registration decals are to be displayed three inches to the rear of the bow number on each side of the boat. Only current yearly registration decals may be displayed. The month of expiration decals must be displayed immediately aft of the yearly registration decals.

Do I need insurance for my Boat?
Each motorboat and personal watercraft (PWC) is required to carry owner’s or operator’s liability insurance when operated on Utah waters. The minimum insurance requirements are: $25,000/$50,000 bodily injury/death - $15,000 property damage or $65,000 combined mini- mum per accident. Motorboats equipped with engines less than 50 horsepower and all airboats are exempt from this requirement.

Whistle or horn
Boats from 16 feet to less than 40 feet long must have a whistle or horn capable of producing a four-to-six second blast of sound. Boats 40-65 feet long must have a horn and a bell. A whistle or horn is recommended for boats less than 16 feet in length.

Bailing device
All boats, not of a self-bailing design, must have a bail bucket or mechanical means for pumping the bilge. It is always a good idea to have a bail bucket. If the battery dies, the bilge pump will not work.
spare propulsion
Boats less than 21 feet long must have at least one spare paddle, oar, or motor on board.

Lifejackets (personal flotation devices or pfds)
The five different categories of lifejackets are illustrated below. Utah law requires that all boats have at least one Type I, II, III or V U.S. Coast Guard approved lifejacket of proper size, in good and serviceable condition, and readily accessible for each person on board. Readily accessible means easily located and retrieved without searching, delay or hindrance. All lifejackets must be used in accor- dance with the age, weight, activity, and use restrictions listed on the U.S. Coast Guard approval label.
U.S. Coast Guard approved inflatable lifejackets are rated as Types I, II, III, or V, and are more comfortable and less bulky to wear than traditional lifejackets. Some models automatically inflate upon submersion in the water, while all models can be manually or orally inflated. If you plan to wear an inflatable lifejacket, read the approval label for age and use restrictions, and learn how to check, inflate, and care for it. Inflatable lifejackets may not be used by persons operating or riding on a PWC, being towed behind a vessel, under 13 years of age, or while boating on rivers
Passengers 12 years of age and younger must wear a properly sized and approved Type I, II, III, or V lifejacket when the boat is in operation. Type V lifejackets must be used according to the requirements on the approval label. Children do not have to wear their lifejackets while inside an enclosed cabin area of boats 19 feet or more in length.

fire extinguishers I think is questionable and maybe a must with a GAS motor

LIGHTS, I have talked to officials about lights and while not enforced on Tubes and Toons, they could be if there is ever evidence that it is required.


I don't know if it is so much the $$$$ but more uniformity. The enflatables getting bigger to some being as big as regular boats, plus motors gas and electric, why should they be exempt.

With no motor you don't have to register.
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[pontoonman]

Right on TD! The PFD rules are sort of ridiculous in that they are not set up to save lives, but only to find your floating body. They are mostly an advantage if you wear them at all times and can turn you face up when you are unconscious.

Pon

[quote TubeDude][cool][#0000ff]Yes, you do need a separate PFD. But, you do not have to wear it...unless you are under 12 years old. However, if you are checked on the water and do not have it you will be cited. The idea is not that you have two inflated air chambers but "what if" you take a tumble out of your craft...especially in moving water...or when blasted by a huge wave from a wakeboarder boat...or? Our government agencies only have your best interestes at heart. Ha! But it is nice to have your body floating so that your family can have something to bury.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Unlike a boat, you do not need to carry a fire extinguisher. But you SHOULD carry a signalling device...like an airhorn. No requirement for the oars either but unless weight and bulk are a real problem you should take them. You might need them in a big blow...or in case of a medical emergency. A lot of tooners get by just fine with fin power for routine fishing but it is great to have oars when you need them.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]In addition to the registration you also need to take the online mussel certification test...and pass with 100 %. You need to keep a copy of that...along with your registration papers...in a plastic bag in your toon. Also need to put a copy of the certification on the dash of your vehicle whenever you launch your toon.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]You won't find boating regulations in the DWR Fishing Guide. You need to go to DMV boat registration and regulations. Sorry. No link. But when you go to DMV to register your toon, be sure to take a picture of it and receipt for the purchase...even a handwritten bill of sale if bought used. Then you can ask to see if they have printed regulations or where you can find them online.[/#0000ff][/quote]
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[albinotrout]

I always take the oars with me. Last year my motor konked out on me and it would have taken me longer to get to shore without them. Here is a link from the state parks site that will give you all the regs and other info needed. [url "http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/boating"]http://www.stateparks.utah.gov/boating[/url]

Also there are three forms recommended to take with you filled out when you register. If not filled out you will have to do it there or come back later. Here are the forms in pdf. They can be filled out and printed.
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