Boating options on Lac Leman in Lausanne

Sports and Hobbies
21
It's longer than 2.5m though - can you clarify why it doesn't need a registration?

22
The rules are at the following link. I can say that I've never seen a boat of this type bearing a license plate, adhesive or otherwise, although I've also never seen one with the owner's name and address written on it, as they are apparently required to do.

https://www.vd.ch/themes/mobilite/na...n-des-bateaux/

Some might say the reason boats like this are not asked to register are because they are rowboats (assuming you haven't attached an engine). I think it's more likely they are treated under the category "engin de plage", meaning, apparently, "beach contraption", similar to an inflatable unicorn or flamingo.

To be absolutely sure, you could contact the SAN, although as with many Swiss government rules you may get a different answer depending on when you call and whom you speak with...

23
The presence on an engine does not influence on the need for registration (at least in the "normal" waters, not sure for Lake Geneva). If you see the classic row boats for tourists for rent - they usually have the license number

If the craft is classified as beach craft - IMO you won't be able to put an engine on it nor register it. Usually it's a binary thing - either you must register (and thus can use and engine) or you may not register (thus may not use an engine).

But definitely worth just checking with the authorities: if you were not planning to use an engine and they classify it as a beach graft - you're good to go, throw it in the water and have fun you'll just have to stay within 150m from the shore

24
The Vaud rules I linked above say rowboats (bateau à pagaie) don't need to be registered. If you put an electric motor on a rowboat, you've changed it's propulsion system, so it's no longer a rowboat, and no longer exempt from registration.. right? What am I missing?

Regarding beach contraptions, the plot thickens... according to the link at https://www.admin.ch/opc/fr/classifi...252/index.html , those only have one air chamber, so the Intex with three doesn't qualify. It still seems to be a rowboat though.

Also, in Geneva and Vaud the beach zone seems to be 300m. Not that the police boats are zipping by often to check.