2024 ABCs of California Boating

Required Equipment

TABLE A – FIRE EXTINGUISHER REQUIREMENTS FOR BOAT MODEL YEAR 2018 AND NEWER (Minimum is one extinguisher rated either 5-B, 10-B, or 20-B) One 20-B rated portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers.

Without fixed extinguishing system in machinery space

With fixed extinguishing system in machinery space

Boat Length

Less than 26 ft.

1 2 3

0 1 2

26 ft. to under 40 ft.

40 ft. to 65 ft.

TABLE B – FIRE EXTINGUISHER REQUIREMENTS FOR BOAT MODEL YEAR BETWEEN 1953 AND 2017 ( Minimum is one extinguisher rated either BI/5B, BI/10-B, or BII/20-B) One 20-B rated portable fire extinguisher may be substituted for two 5-B portable fire extinguishers.

Without fixed extinguishing system in machinery space

With fixed extinguishing system in machinery space

Boat Length

Less than 26 ft.

1 2 3

0 1 2

26 ft. to under 40 ft.

40 ft. to 65 ft.

Muffling Systems Any motorboat operated on California inland waters or coastal waters up to one mile from shore must be muffled or otherwise prevented from exceeding the following noise levels when measured by the Stationary Sound Level Measurement. Procedure for Pleasure Motorboats (SAE J2005):

• 90 dB (A) for engines manufactured before Jan 1, 1993. • 88 dB (A) for engines manufactured on or after Jan 1, 1993.

All motorboat noise levels must be below 75 dB (A) when measured by the Shoreline Sound Level Measurement Procedure (SAE J1970). Authorities generally agree that unbaffled exhaust pipes (stacks) do not meet any of the above noise level requirements.

37