Water tourism and fishing are booming, and more Russians are considering buying their own boat, but buying a boat is not just about choosing a brand and an engine, but also about the legal finer points regulated by the State small craft Inspectorate. small-boat It covers a huge range of equipment: from light inflatable "pumps" to heavy boats, and each type requires a special approach to operation.
Ignorance of the law can lead to serious fines or even property seizures, so a basic understanding of the classification is necessary for every boat owner before launching.
The water technology market today offers an incredible variety, and it's easy for a beginner to get confused in terms. We'll help you structure your knowledge so that your first watering trip goes without the trouble of inspectors and technical overlays.
Legal classification and GIMS criteria
From the point of view of legislation, the key document is the Decree of the Government of the Russian Federation No. 171, which clearly defines the boundaries of the concept. Small craft. It is considered a floating structure up to 20 meters long and with a number of seats not more than 12, but for motor boats there is a more important criterion, which is exempt from registration, is the power of the engine.
If your outboard or stationary engine is less than 8 kilowatts (roughly 10.88 horsepower) and the weight of the boat itself is less than 200 kilograms, GIMS registration is not required, a critical threshold that PVC boat manufacturers are targeting to create models that fit perfectly within these limits.
⚠️ Note: The weight of the hull in running order is not included in the calculation of the weight, but the presence of these on board may raise questions for inspectors when weighing at the checkpoint.
It is also worth considering that there are hydrocycle, which are formally small vessels but have their own specifics of registration and management, are always subject to accounting regardless of capacity, as they are considered high-risk motor vehicles, and any vessels used for commercial purposes are required to be registered and surveyed, even if their parameters are minimal.
The main types of small vessels
The modern industry divides small fleets into several large categories, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. The most popular today are PVC inflatable boats, which are valued for their compactness and transportability. They can be equipped with a hard floorboard floor or have a low-pressure inflatable floor (LDPB), which makes them more comfortable for standing water.
The second big group is made up of metal and plastic hulls. Aluminum boats like the legendary Aluminum Boat. Kazanka modern models salutePlastic vessels (fibglasses) provide better hydrodynamics and are often used to create full-fledged cockpit pleasure boats.
- 🚤 Inflatable vessels: Ideal for fishing in hard-to-reach places, easily transported in the trunk of a passenger car.
- ⚓ Metal boats: Unpretentious to storage, withstand harsh operation, but are subject to corrosion without proper care.
- 🌊 Plastic boats: Excellent germination on the wave, aesthetic appearance, but require a trailer for transportation and a special place for winter storage.
The choice of type of vessel depends on where you plan to plow the water. For large lakes and sea trips, an inflatable boat may not be safe due to low sailing and vulnerability of the hull, whereas for narrow rivers and overgrown backwaters, a heavy boat will be simply useless.
Registration and necessary documents
The GIMS registration procedure has become much easier in recent years, especially with the introduction of electronic services. small-boat It requires a boat's certificate, which is the main document of ownership and technical health, without which access to the water is prohibited.
To register, you will need to provide a sales contract, a vehicle passport (VSM) or a cargo customs declaration (CD) for imported models, and checks confirming payment of the state duty are required. It is important that all documents are issued for one owner or have power of attorney.
☑️ Documents for registration with GIMS
After the submission of documents and successful completion of the technical inspection, the registration number shall be applied on board, it shall be applied in contrast paint on both sides at a distance of 1/4 of the length of the hull from the forehead and above the waterline by 0.1 meters, the height of numbers and letters shall be at least 150 mm, and the width - 100 mm.
⚠️ Warning: Self-design changes, such as installing a more powerful engine or refitting a cockpit, require a re-examination, otherwise the boat owner may be fined for operating an unregistered or converted vessel.
BoatWise requirements and rights
Driving a small vessel with an engine of more than 10.88 hp (8 kW) requires a driving licence, which applies to all types of engines, whether it is a petrol suspension, electric motor or a stationary diesel engine, and the absence of a licence is equivalent to driving without a driver's license.
To qualify for the license, you must have completed training in a specialized center, pass a theoretical examination in navigation and navigation, as well as practice, and are granted the right to operate a certain type of vessel: "motor boat", "boat", "hydrocycle" or "sailing vessel". "motorboat" It is a basic one for most fishermen and tourists.
| Parameter | Up to 10.88bhp. | More than 10.88bhp. |
|---|---|---|
| Registration with GIMS | Not required* | Required. |
| BoatWise's rights | Not necessary. | Mandatory. |
| Technical inspection | Not happening | Annual |
| boat registration certificate | Not issued. | Issued |
*Note: If the weight of the boat exceeds 200 kg, registration and rights are required regardless of the power of the engine.
Where can you drive a boat without a license?
A small craft with an engine power of up to 10.88 hp is permitted to operate without a boatmaster's licence, but only on inland waterways where no certificate or boatmaster's certificate is required.
Maintenance and safety
Safety on the water depends not only on the skills of piloting, but also on the technical condition of your flight. small-boatRegular inspection of the body for punctures, cracks or corrosion should become a habit before each exit, and special attention should be paid to the transom, since this is where the maximum load from the engine is concentrated.
For inflatable boats, it is critical to check the pressure in the cylinders. Sun-pumped PVC can burst, and underpumped PVC can deform under load. Use a gauge for monitoring, especially in extreme temperature extremes. For metal boats, the main threat is corrosion, so after each season, you need to inspect and paint the damaged areas.
- 🛟 Life jackets: It is mandatory for all on board, especially children under 12 years of age.
- 🔦 Signaling means: Torches, whistles and lanterns should be in an easily accessible place in case of emergency.
- ⛽ Fuel system: Hoses and tanks should not have cracks and undertreaches, gasoline vapors are explosive.
Remember that even a short walk 100 meters from the shore can result in a tragedy if the engine breaks. Having an anchor with a sufficient length of the falt is not a recommendation, but a necessity. Also always carry a moisture-proof communication device.
Take a spare set of oars with you, even for a motorboat, in the event of engine failure or loss of the screw, it is the oars that will help you safely return to shore, especially on the current.
Seasonal storage and conservation
Proper preparation for winter greatly prolongs the life of your vessel. Metal boats should be thoroughly washed, dried and treated with anti-corrosion compounds all damaged areas. PVC inflatable boats should be cleaned of dirt, completely dried (so as not to form mold), and stored in a straightened or slightly folded form in a warm room.
Motors also require conservation: pumping fuel out of the carburetor, changing oil and treating the interior cavities with anticorrosives; gasoline left for the winter is oxidized and can disable the fuel system; plastic housings are better stored indoors or under a quality awning so that ultraviolet does not destroy the fiberglass structure.
Quality preservation of the vessel and engine in the fall will save you considerable money for repairs in the spring and ensure that at the beginning of the season you will be able to get on the water immediately.
Do I have to register a boat if the engine is more powerful than 10 hp, but I do not put it?
Yes, if the boat is designed to have a motor of more than 10.88 hp (as indicated in the boat's passport), it is subject to registration, even if you use it with oars or a weak electric motor.
Can I drive a boat with Category B rights?
No, motor licences do not give the right to operate a small motorized boat, and this requires a boatmaster's certificate of a small boat issued by the SHIMS of the Ministry of Emergency Situations after special training and examinations.
What happens if I get stopped on an unregistered boat?
You will be fined for violation of the rules of registration (Article 11.2 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation) and, possibly, for lack of rights (Article 11.2 of the 2 Administrative Code of the Russian Federation), in the worst case, the vessel can be detained and placed in a parking lot until the violations are eliminated, which will entail additional costs.