child life jackets

[hank_jr]

have a question about kids on boats

is there a specific size boat to have were kids don't have life jackets on?

or do they have to be a specific age?

[lil buggy]

welcome aboard hank_jr
this is what i dug up from the pfbc website listed under the quote

In Pennsylvania, all children 12 years of age or younger are required to wear a life jacket when underway on a boat that is 20 feet in length or less and all canoes and kayaks. Beyond being a statewide regulation, however, ensuring youngsters are wearing a properly fitting life jacket is also common sense.
http://fishandboat.com/boatcrs/pfd/kids.htm

i ALWAYS make the under twelve kids wear theirs no exceptions!!
i make it like a treat when we get to our destination to sneak it off for a while
i do this everytime but when i can see that the kid can swim and is comfortable with the whole boating thing i let them take the jackets off when anchored/fishing .
but if they r jumping around or they want to swim it goes back on. no exceptions.
this has worked for years with my family.
remember a miserable kid with a jacket on always comes back to the dock. NO EXCEPTIONS .
DONT BE A STATISTIC
enough preaching have fun
lil buggy

[hank_jr]

thanks for the info

[FlapJaw]

Ya I'm with ya on that one, when the family comes out they put them on. They don't like it but I don't have to worry bout them

I seen a 20' open bow last year on the 4th downtown driving around with at least 6 kids under 8 yrs old without em couldn't believe it.

[pleasurehut]

I am pretty sure above postings are correct, but I heard that federal laws(coast gaurd) are different about kids under 12 on boats larger than 20' That they are required to wear jackets at all time. I would further check into this if it applies to you.

I rather be safe than sorry or at least lessen chances of being pulled over! Have a safe Fourth!

[bkpursuit]

Federal regs require "properly sized" jackets on all children under 13. I haven't seen any length requirement. But, I believe, state regs trump federal regs. Not positive, but I did see that on several websites. Personally, ALL kids under 12 are required to have a life jacket on when on deck while on any of my boats, and that includes my 50 foot houseboat. When the grandkids are around, I keep jackets in the car and they put on a jacket as they leave the car.

[lil buggy]

hi again i am revisiting because i just purchased a 25 ft boat

so i found nothing on boats over 20 and kids under 12, at least the pfbc rules n regs anyway

my previos rules still apply however its good to know the real law.
i know the kids will be askin when they are in the cabin.

thanks in advance for the replies
and the debate continues!

[Quag]

When I took the on line boater safety course it stated children 12 and under had to wear all the time. I never followed up with where it came from, but am sure it was in there. My son took the course too and remembers. As long as it was in there I take it as "law" at least for anyone on my boat.

[lil buggy]

thanks Quag,
i appretiate the reply.
and agree they should wear them.

i think i am thinking of it more because i have always had 15 to 18ft open boats
and in the new boat 25 ft cuddy, aft cabin
there is less opportunity for the kids to fall overboard
(the main thing i worried about) in most of the boat.

i guess i havent searched the fed regulations yet reguarding boats over 20ft
ill let you all know what i dig up.

thanks again in advance for the replies