The new kayak law states that you DO NOT need to wear a life vest after May 1 during the summer in New York State. According to the New York State law:State law requires all children under 12 to wear a PFD while on a watercraft. State law also requires all people on a pleasure vessel less than 21 feet long to wear a PFD between November 1 and May 1. The laws in New York State are changing and you CANNOT just get on a boat that you rent and start driving anymore. In New York State, ANYONE operating a watercraft must have their boaters safety certificate.