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CANOES AND KAYAKS

Canoes and Kayaks are a special case. Other than requiring a Hull Identification Number, the Coast Guard does not regulate the construction of these boats. So, are there standards for these boats that you should follow? Yes!

The American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC) has a standard specifically for Canoes and Kayaks. This standards spells out standards for:

Defines what a canoe or kayak is:

Safe Loading

Flotation

Powering

Labels

The ABYC standard is H-29. Contact ABYC for a copy. http://www.abycinc.org/

613 Third Street, Suite 10
Annapolis, MD 21403
Phone: (410) 990-4460
Fax: (410) 990-4466

Additionally, there are the following associations dedicated to canoes and kayaks.

The Professional Paddlesports Association.
http://www.propaddle.com/ppa_news.htm

The American Canoe Association
http://www.acanet.org/

American Whitewater http://www.americanwhitewater.org/

US Canoe/Kayak (US olympic Committee)
http://www.usack.org/

Paddling.Net http://www.paddling.net/

Are there other standards for Canoes and Kayaks

Canadian Office of Boating Safety has regulations that apply to canoes and kayaks http://www.tc.gc.ca/BoatingSafety/regs.htm

UK And EU. Canoes and Kayaks are exempted from the RCD.

Information on canoeing and kayaking is available from the International Canoe Federation. However this does not include standards for canoes and kayaks.
http://www.canoeicf.com/ .