Riding in Florida - More law questions

[Kalwren]

Hello again!

I'm curious about the laws of riding in Florida, as far as safety gear. I know you have to have a lifevest.

I've read some posts where people were saying that they've been ticketed for not using a lanyard. Also for not having a fire extinguisher on their ski.

What other things are expected to be on your ski or on your person for Florida law? I've looked through the boating information and the pwc specific info but I didn't see where it mentioned either of those being required.

Thanks in advance.

 

[sflsurfrider]

Hello again!

I'm curious about the laws of riding in Florida, as far as safety gear. I know you have to have a lifevest.

I've read some posts where people were saying that they've been ticketed for not using a lanyard. Also for not having a fire extinguisher on their ski.

What other things are expected to be on your ski or on your person for Florida law? I've looked through the boating information and the pwc specific info but I didn't see where it mentioned either of those being required.

Thanks in advance.

you need:

uscg approved vest
BC fire extinguisher
whistle
registration
lanyard, but only if it came with a lanyard from the factory

 

[Captain PegLeg]

i think you have to have a helmet in daytona? correct?

 

[tmetz]

i think you have to have a helmet in daytona? correct?

Yeah, in daytona yes. But charlie you said everything perfectly! I once owned a kawi that didn't have a lanyard so therefore there wasn't a way for one to be on there unless I changed it from factory.

Good luck, and I suggest you buy a set of asics or jet skiing booties so you don't slice your feet up!

 

[Kalwren]

Awesome, thanks again for the information folks!

I appreciate it!

 

[tom21]

actually my friend once got a ticket for no functioning lanyard, and when I asked the watercop about skis without factory lanyard and because he was a huge tool he said I would have to install an aftermarket one to be legal. never assume that because you know the law and the limits that you won't get pushed around. most times if you treat them with respect you will get a break. even when you do get a ticket if you have attitude-trust me they can and will find more to add.

stay away from people, crowds, other boats, docks, basically ride far away from everything so that you will not be bothering anyone and you may be ok. and watch for the no and slow wake zones. for some reason if you come in a little hot they tend to go nuts. and oddly enough on more than one occasion I have seen a newb on his sitdown racing back and forth and slaloming the no wake buoys. once a dude on his honda tried to splash me wavedomeon and #0 on shore while we were carb tuning. no cops around. but you can bet if it was one of us there would be.

be smart, lay low, be legal. oh and don't forget to have fun- if you can.:biggthumpup:

 

[WaveDemon]

I think you're supposed to have ID too.

 

[WRX Dave]

Everywhere I've been in Florida, the watercops seem to target standups. At Sarasota I got hassled for going over 5mph in a no-wake zone as a guy on a couch was blasting by me at WOT.

 

[Kalwren]

Everywhere I've been in Florida, the watercops seem to target standups. At Sarasota I got hassled for going over 5mph in a no-wake zone as a guy on a couch was blasting by me at WOT.

Thats odd. Aren't the couches must faster than a standup?

 

[WaveDemon]

my ski is always illegal and I can get busted if a cop ever wants to inspect. I just act like a model citizen when ever they're around.

 

[fwi]

Also, very few cops out during the week. If you can ride then you have the whole place to yourself........... but it does get lonely!

 

[Boris]

Everywhere I've been in Florida, the watercops seem to target standups. At Sarasota I got hassled for going over 5mph in a no-wake zone as a guy on a couch was blasting by me at WOT.

You need to come down to Estero Bay.

Our local cops like us and even let us play in their wake (as long as no one is around).
They pull over couches all the time.

 

[Mrs Cattledog]

Everywhere I've been in Florida, the watercops seem to target standups. At Sarasota I got hassled for going over 5mph in a no-wake zone as a guy on a couch was blasting by me at WOT.

So true.....we were riding in Venice in Januart and they stopped us so many times....we go back in March and they give my hubby a ticket for the no wake zone...Saying that they warned us so many times..if he went any slower he would of fallen off.....RRRRRRRR......hate watercops!!!!

 

[Mike W]

Watercops are just like any other cop. Some will be dicks, some will be cool. There is no "general" way cops act in Florida or anywhere else for that matter. Just be cool with them and you will usually get a warning. However, if your a dick to them and you have a 99% chance of getting a ticket.

 

[Kalwren]

So true.....we were riding in Venice in Januart and they stopped us so many times....we go back in March and they give my hubby a ticket for the no wake zone...Saying that they warned us so many times..if he went any slower he would of fallen off.....RRRRRRRR......hate watercops!!!!

Has anyone contested a ticket in court that they received on the water?

I'm curious what a judge would say or do if you went in and spoke to him and said everyone rides a reasonable speed so that you don't lose your steering control. If you're at idle, I don't see how they can justify giving you a ticket.

Also, how fast do the watercop boats go? lol... I've heard of someone on here outrunning them. Is that possible? I know it's certainly not recommended, but if the officer gets all crappy on you - what are your odds of getting away? :laugh2:

 

[Shonuff]

you need:

uscg approved vest
BC fire extinguisher
whistle
registration
lanyard, but only if it came with a lanyard from the factory

What does BC stand for?

 

[KR]

Has anyone contested a ticket in court that they received on the water?

I'm curious what a judge would say or do if you went in and spoke to him and said everyone rides a reasonable speed so that you don't lose your steering control. If you're at idle, I don't see how they can justify giving you a ticket.

Also, how fast do the watercop boats go? lol... I've heard of someone on here outrunning them. Is that possible? I know it's certainly not recommended, but if the officer gets all crappy on you - what are your odds of getting away? :laugh2:

Nobody outruns the San Diego Harbor Patrol...

 

[JetAholic]

here in stuart FL they are pretty cool, we are good friends with some.... you used to beable to run from them with there old boats but now they have 26' contenders with 2 250's and they will run you down... just be responsible and you won't have any problems...

 

[WRX Dave]

So true.....we were riding in Venice in Januart and they stopped us so many times....we go back in March and they give my hubby a ticket for the no wake zone...Saying that they warned us so many times..if he went any slower he would of fallen off.....RRRRRRRR......hate watercops!!!!

I was in Venice for the last year. I failed many times in trying to explain to watercops the concept of headway speed.

 

[Kalwren]

here in stuart FL they are pretty cool, we are good friends with some.... you used to beable to run from them with there old boats but now they have 26' contenders with 2 250's and they will run you down... just be responsible and you won't have any problems...

I have every intention of being responsible and respectful.

It's the ass-clown police officers trying to make a name for themselves that annoy me. I'm a small guy, so they love to intimidate me. It's annoying. I'm not saying all officers are like this, but most of them that I've met have something to prove. I'll never understand it.

But being small makes for a faster ski, haha. :wink:

edit: Typos.