Marinas in Kansas

Kansas requires boater education rather than a boating license: anyone born on or after January 1, 1989 who is under 21 needs an approved certificate to operate a motorboat, personal watercraft or sailboat on public waters without supervision. No one under 12 may operate a motorized vessel unsupervised, even if certified; there is no minimum age for a certified operator of a sailboat without a motor.

Operators 21 or older are exempt, and direct and audible supervision by a qualified adult at least 18 satisfies the rule. Renting does not create an exemption; personal watercraft renters must meet the education requirements. Online courses issue an immediate printable temporary card after passing. KDWP administers the program.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (ksoutdoors.gov)

Kansas boaters should know several core rules before launching. The Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks requires a readily accessible Coast Guard approved life jacket for each person, and children 12 and younger must wear one whenever aboard, even at anchor. Operating a boat under the influence is illegal, with a blood or breath alcohol limit of 0.08%. Motor powered and sail vessels must be registered and numbered.

Personal watercraft cannot operate between sunset and sunrise and must use no wake speed within 200 feet of docks, ramps, swimmers, bridges, anchored boats, pumpout facilities, or nonmotorized craft. Operators ages 12 through 20 need approved education to operate motorized vessels unsupervised. Before highway transport, drain bilges and livewells and remove drain plugs.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (ksoutdoors.gov)

The best time to go boating in Kansas is late May through September, with June through August as the peak for warm weather, swimming and motorized water sports. April to mid-May and late September through October are useful shoulder periods for fishing, canoeing and kayaking, though conditions are cooler.

Kansas’s main weather tradeoff is spring and early summer severe weather: April through June are the state’s peak tornado months. Reservoir conditions also change during the season; Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks reports track water temperatures and lake levels, and low water can limit or close individual boat ramps.

Source: Kansas Tourism (travelks.com)

Some of Kansas’s best boating is on large reservoirs, with different settings for cruising, water sports and sailing. Milford Reservoir near Junction City is the state’s largest lake, giving boaters a broad inland water option. In northeast Kansas, Perry Lake is used by paddlers, boaters and water skiers. South central Cheney Reservoir is known for sailing and windswept open water. Farther west, Wilson Reservoir in the Smoky Hills offers a contrasting setting, with a rugged shoreline, scenic cliffs and rocky outcrops. Together, these waters provide varied lake boating across several Kansas regions.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (ksoutdoors.gov)

Kansas’s most popular boating destinations include Milford Reservoir near Junction City for fishing on the state’s largest lake; Clinton Reservoir near Lawrence for marina boat, kayak and paddleboard rentals; El Dorado Reservoir for its expansive water and rocky sportfishing habitat; Perry Lake near Ozawkie for paddling, boating and water skiing; Cheney Reservoir west of Wichita for sailing; and Hillsdale Lake near Paola for kayaking, fishing and 51 miles of shoreline. Together, these lakes offer a strong mix of motorboating, paddling, sailing and angling options across Kansas.

Source: Kansas Tourism (travelks.com)

In Kansas, the minimum age to operate a motorized vessel, including a personal watercraft, without supervision is 12. Operators ages 12 through 20 must complete an approved boater education course to operate without direct and audible supervision. Anyone under 12 must be supervised regardless of certification.

Under K.S.A. 32-1125(e) and 32-1139, the supervisor must be at least 18, remain aboard the same vessel close enough to assume control quickly and safely, and hold a boating education certificate or be exempt because of age. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Kansas Department of Wildlife and Parks (ksoutdoors.com)

Alongside the marinas on this page, Kansas has 9 boat rentals, 3 boat clubs and 29 boat dealers.