Chapter 4: The Legal Requirements of Boating
Requirements Specific to "Ski Craft"

New Hampshire law defines a “ski craft” as any motorized vessel that is less than 13 feet in length, is capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour, and has the capacity to carry no more than two persons. This includes personal watercraft designed to seat one or two persons. While the laws below are for “ski craft,” it is recommended that all personal watercraft operators follow these laws.

• No one under the age of 16 years may operate a “ski craft” legally on any lake, pond, or river.
• The operator of a “ski craft” must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device (life jacket) at all times.
• “Ski craft” may be operated on any lake, pond, or river during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) only.
• It is illegal to operate a “ski craft” at greater than headway speed if within 150 feet of swimmers in the water, other vessels or “ski craft,” rafts or floats, docks, swimming areas, or mooring fields.
• It is illegal to operate a “ski craft” within a cove (a bay or inlet that does not exceed 1,000 feet at its widest point) or within 300 feet of shore unless the “ski craft” is proceeding at headway speed directly to an area where “ski craft” operation is permitted.
• “Ski craft” must operate in a responsible manner. It is illegal to:
  • Weave a “ski craft” through congested waterway traffic.
  • Get dangerously close to another vessel, person, or object such that you are required to swerve at the last possible moment in order to avoid a collision.
  • Operate a “ski craft” in any other careless or negligent way or in a way that endangers the life, limb, or property of others.
• “Ski craft” may not be operated on any lake, pond, or river where the operation of “ski craft” is prohibited by law. (Operation of a “ski craft” is prohibited on any pond or lake less than 75 acres in area.)
• Although not legally required, it is strongly recommended that an operator of a PWC equipped with a lanyard-type ignition safety switch attach the lanyard to his or her person, clothing, or personal flotation device (life jacket).

Remember—Personal watercraft operators are subject to all boating laws. In addition, “ski craft” operators must follow the laws on this page.

Be Part of the Action! Learn more about operating a PWC with this interactive animation. (Most students will already have Flash installed. If not, follow this link to install the Flash Player.)

Towing a Person With a Vessel Legally

Vessel operators towing a person(s) on water skis, tubes, kneeboards, aquaplanes, or any other devices also must obey these laws.

• All persons being towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device must wear a U.S. Coast Guard–approved Type I, II, or III personal flotation device (life jacket). Ski belts are not approved personal flotation devices and are illegal.
• In addition to the operator, an observer must be on board to observe the progress of the person being towed. The observer must be at least 13 years old, able to determine when a skier is in trouble, and able to assist the skier.
• No more than two persons may be towed from a single vessel at any one time. If two persons are being towed, there must be two observers on board, in addition to the operator, who meet the requirements above.
• Persons may be towed behind a vessel on water skis or any other device during daylight hours (sunrise to sunset) only.
• The operator of the towing vessel and the person being towed are responsible for following all other navigation rules and boating laws.
• When returning to the shore with a skier, the towing vessel and the skier must remain at least 150 feet from shore.

When towing persons behind your vessel, you are still responsible for following all other navigation rules and boating laws.