Guidance sheet: Electric motors on kayaks and canoes – exemption from registration and licensing

Kayaks and canoes powered by low-powered electric motors will be exempt from the requirement to be registered and to have a licensed master on board. The exemption, for a trial period of 12 months, will commence on 1 January 2018 on all Victorian State waters.

The exemption applies to the owners and masters of kayaks and canoes powered by an electric motor of no more than 40 pounds thrust (1 horsepower or 750 watts). In all other respects these vessels are regulated as powerboats.

The exemption issubject to the condition that the vessel travels at a speed of no more than 5 knots at any time.

Lifejackets:

The following lifejackets must be worn by all occupants at all times when the vessel is underway:

  • On inland waters – a Type 1, 2 or 3 lifejacket(Level 100+, Level 50 or Level 50s)
  • On enclosed and coastal waters – a Type 1 lifejacket (Level 100+)

Safety equipment

  • The following safety equipment must be carried as a minimum on inland waters:
  • a bailer (if there is no electric or manual bilge pumping system)
  • a bilge pump if the vessel has a bilge or underfloor compartment that is not airtight
  • an alternative means of propulsion (a paddle or fitted pedal mechanism)
  • a waterproof buoyant torch
  • one of the following items -
  • a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch; or
  • a personal locator beacon (PLB);
  • The following safety equipment must be carried as a minimum on enclosed waters and coastal waters within 2 nautical miles of the shore:
  • a bailer(if there is no electric or manual bilge pumping system)
  • a bilge pump if the vessel has a bilge or underfloor compartment that is not airtight
  • an alternative means of propulsion (a paddle or fitted pedal mechanism)
  • a waterproof buoyant torch
  • one of the following items -
  • a mobile phone in a waterproof pouch; or
  • an emergency positioning indicating radio beacon (EPIRB) or a personal locator beacon (PLB); or
  • a marine radio; or
  • two hand-held orange smoke signals; or
  • two hand-held red distress flares.
  • The following safety equipment must be carried as a minimum on coastal waters more than 2 nautical miles from shore:
  • a bailer (if there is no electric or manual bilge pumping system)
  • a bilge pump if the vessel has a bilge or underfloor compartment that is not airtight
  • an alternative means of propulsion (a paddle or fitted pedal mechanism)
  • two red flares, two orange smoke signals and one rocket parachute flare
  • a compass
  • a marine radio
  • a registered EPIRB
  • a waterproof buoyant torch

Guidance on the motor and accessories

Select the appropriate motor for your needs by answering the following questions:

  • Freshwater or saltwater? Do not use a motor that is designed only for freshwater use in brackish or sea water
  • What sort of controls will suit your use? Remote control, foot control, tiller, ‘smart’ systems that will hold your position? If you are fishing from the kayak you probably won’t have a free hand
  • Can the motor bracket and tiller arrangement be easily stowed into a position that allows you to paddle freely when necessary? A motor with a fixed transom mount bracket fitted immediately behind the seating position may not allow you to do this
  • How many amps per hour will the motor use, at the speeds you are intending? Will this give you adequate time on the water? How heavy will the battery be to give you the appropriate range? As a very rough guide, an electric motor at full speed will draw 1 amp per hour for every lb of thrust. How much time you will get at lower speed settings will depend upon how many settings your motor has. Check the manufacturer’s specifications
  • Does your motor and battery have enough endurance to get you home, with a reserve in case you are heading against wind or current on your return journey?

Select the appropriate type of battery

  • Fit a battery of a type that is specified by the manufacturer. A deep cycle battery designed for marine use will deliver sustained power over a long period. A battery designed solely for starting motors (cranking battery) will not generally be suitable for continuous running, or for supporting other equipment such as fish finders, radios and chart plotters
  • Select a battery with the appropriate voltage and amps for your motor. Don’t run a deep cycle battery down much below 50 percent if you can help it, and charge it up again as soon as you can.

Fitting the motor and battery

  • How heavy is the combined motor and battery? A typical deep cycle 12 v 70 amp marine battery will weigh around 17 kg. A 35 amp battery will weigh just over half that. Add on 5 -10 kg for the motor and bracket, and this is a significant weight on the craft
  • Consider the maximum load capacity of your craft to ensure that along with motor, battery, fishing gear and yourself – you still retain adequate freeboard to be stable in a variety of conditions
  • It is strongly recommended that you only fit motors to kayaks using brackets and fittings that are specifically designed for the purpose. You should exercise great care if you drill or cut into watertight cavities as you will not be able to bail out water from these spaces
  • Consider installing foam buoyancy within voids to provide buoyancy to the total mass of load that is carried.
  • Fit the battery as low as you can in the kayak to help with stability, and secure it so that it will not move.

Accessories – you should consider:

  • a battery meter to monitor power use, if one is not fitted to the motor
  • a fuse kit or circuit breaker to protect the motor
  • a good quality battery charger that is appropriate for the battery
  • zinc anodes to prolong the life of the motor.

Waterway rules

It is a condition of the exemption that the vessel is not operated at a speed exceeding 5 knots. Five knots is 9.26 kilometres per hour and is equivalent to a fast walking pace.

Operators of all vessels are covered by the Vessel Operating and Zoning Rules (VOZR), and also any local rules that have been applied to the particular waterway where they are operating. Check the following resources to ensure that you know what these rules are, or call 1800 223 022 to obtain a copy of the Victorian Recreational Boating Safety Handbook.

View the waterway rules at transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/waterways

NB: This redirects to:this link

View the handbook online at transportsafety.vic.gov.au/msv/licence

NB: This redirects to:this link