Sorry to jack-a bit.. but a brief rant on this topic is needed. Most of you know what I'm gonna say....
#1: I don't know the laws in all states.
In Florida class A vessels less than 16' in length are not required to carry an extinguisher. I'm not required to carry one in my 14' jon boat.
However, an extinguisher is required in ALL pwc's. Are there any over 16'?
They say it's because of the high HP, performance etc... when I say that, if my ski were to begin to burn, I'd simply push it away and watch, they say that the extinguisher is as much for helping others in trouble as it is for you.
The next obvious question is: So, when I'm in my 14' jon boat, I'm not required to help others?
When you register your watercraft with the state each year (in FL) you will receive a registration for a Class A boat.
The fight is truly not worth fighting because we will never win.
Even if the fight went all the way, and we won, they would simply create another registration class for pwc's. I'm sure that the new class would have regulations that would make your head spin.
I have no place for an extinguisher on my ski. When I did, the thing was useless after a few rides anyway. I keep 2 fresh-new extinguishers in the parts box that lives in the bed of my truck.
If they bust me...oh well.
On a lighter note: The most fun with extinguishers ever was at the freeride in Daytona...maybe '08 or '09 (can't remember)...but as each ski was inspected for the sticker required to ride, the very same extinguisher was passed discretely down the line. No less than 15 or 20 ski's got stickered using the same extinguisher. lol. Of coarse, I would never condone such behavior. lol.