Personal Watercraft Length Restriction
According to the Kootenai County Parks and Waterways Ordinance, a personal watercraft is defined as a vessel which is less than 12 feet long using "an outboard or inboard motor powering a water jet pump as its primary source of power and is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing or kneeling on...the vessel."
Proper Measurement
Kootenai County accepts a boat measurement which was taken from the front of the bow straight back to the stern. This measurement will often be shorter than the manufacturer's published length, as that is often measured from the bow around the exterior of the vessel to the stern.
Restricted Length Zones
Certain water areas of the county are restricted to vessels of a specified length. These areas are called Restricted Length Zones. In these locations, maximum lengths of boats allowed to launch are posted; boats exceeding this length are prohibited.
Stern Moorage
If a vessel is 30 feet or more, Kootenai County requires that the boat use a stern moorage wherever one is provided and available. Unless otherwise notified, vessels can only be moored for up to 48 hours in a 72 hour period.
Length and Life Jackets for Children
When on a boat 19 feet and under, children 14 and under are required to wear a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket. This applies to any manual or motor propelled vessel that is "underway or under power" according to the County Ordinance.
Article Written By Christian Smith
Christian Smith has more than seven years of experience producing, editing and writing short- and long-format video, print and audio content for publications. She has been published in the New York Times and has experience in covering national, state and local political campaigns, and writing local news and feature stories.
