: Apparently, on federal navigable waters (e.g., the Sound,
: Connecticut River, etc. any waters not under state
: jurisdiction), PFD are not required aboard "racing
: canoes" or "racing kayaks". Does this apply to
: classes of paddle craft, or to boats actually in the act of
: "racing." A somewhat bizarre (and not very safe)
: exemption.

:
: http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/boating/boating_regs/33_cfr_part175_subpart_b.pdf

No, the odd thing is not that racers (or "racing kayak", again a boat actually in a race or a boat that is designed to be be raced? the law doesn't specify) do not wear PFDs, but that they are completely exempt from even having one on-board.

So let's say someone on the Connecticut River (federal navigable waters) in a kayak they claim is designed to be raced (i.e., a "racing kayak") without a PFD on-board is stopped by CTDEP river patrol or local police boat or even the Coast Guard, could they be cited under state law or federal law for not having a PFD on-board? Probably yes, but under these exemptions, would such a charge be upheld? Not so clear...