It's the Law: Required Equipment

• Ventilation System
• Mufflers

Ventilation System

The purpose of ventilation systems is to avoid explosions by removing flammable gases. Properly installed ventilation systems greatly reduce the chance of a life-threatening explosion.

• All gasoline-powered vessels, constructed in a way that would entrap fumes, must have at least two ventilation ducts fitted with cowls to remove the fumes.
• If your vessel is equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least four minutes both after fueling and before starting your engine.
• If your vessel is not equipped with a power ventilation system (for example, a personal watercraft), open the engine compartment and sniff for gasoline fumes before starting the engine.

Mufflers

A motorboat's engine must have a factory-installed muffler or exhaust water manifold for noise reduction or another effective muffling system.

• Motorboats built on January 1, 1996, or later must not exceed a noise level of 90 dBA when stationary at idle and measured from a distance of 3 feet.
• All motorboats must not exceed a noise level of 86 dBA when measured from a distance of 50 feet.
• You may not remove or modify a muffler or muffling system if the result is increased noise level.
• If the exhaust system uses water for muffling, it must comply with the noise level restrictions.