Float Plans - What You Should Include | Complete Guide 2025

By: Dave Samuel

Updated On: July 30, 2025

I'll never forget the day my buddy Mike went missing on Lake Travis. He'd headed out for a "quick paddle" on a Tuesday afternoon, told his wife he'd be back by dinner. When 9 PM rolled around with no word, panic set in.

The problem? Nobody knew exactly where he'd launched from, which direction he'd paddled, or what he was wearing. The search took 14 hours and involved three counties. Mike was fine - his kayak had gotten tangled in some fishing line near a remote cove - but those were the longest 14 hours of his life floating there with a dead phone battery.

That's when I learned the hard way: a proper float plan for boating isn't just paperwork, it's your lifeline when things go sideways on the water.

What You'll Need?

Pen and paper (or digital device)
5 minutes of your time
Contact info for your emergency person
Basic trip details
Your safety gear checklist ready
Common sense (seriously, that's it)

What is a Float Plan and Why Every Paddler Needs One?

A float plan is basically a "flight plan" for your kayak - a simple document that tells someone on shore where you're going, when you'll be back, and what to do if you don't show up. Think of it as leaving breadcrumbs for search and rescue teams, except these breadcrumbs could save your life.

Here's the thing: most paddlers think float plans are only for multi-day expeditions or ocean crossings. Wrong. I've seen more emergencies happen on "quick afternoon paddles" than on planned adventures. Why? Because that's when we get complacent.

The Coast Guard doesn't accept float plans directly (common misconception), but they're the first thing rescue teams ask for when someone reports you missing. Without one, they're searching blind - and in places like the Gulf of Mexico or the Great Lakes, that's like finding a needle in a wet, massive haystack.

Step-by-Step Guide: Creating Your Kayak Float Plan

Step 1: Choose Your Float Plan Holder

This is the person who'll raise the alarm if you don't check in. Pick someone reliable who:

Actually answers their phone
Won't panic immediately but won't wait too long either
Knows how to contact authorities
Understands basic geography (you'd be surprised)

Common mistake: Telling your float plan to someone verbally. I get it - writing seems overkill for a two-hour paddle. But stress makes people forget details. That "launched from the north ramp" becomes "somewhere on the north side" real quick when panic sets in.

Pro tip: Have two float plan holders. Primary and backup. Redundancy saves lives.

Step 2: Include Vessel Information (The Stuff Rescuers Actually Need)

Here's what should be included in a float plan for your kayak:

Essential kayak details:

Kayak color (top AND bottom - this matters from helicopters)
Length and type (12-foot yellow sit-on-top, not just "yellow kayak")
Any unique features (stickers, damage, accessories)
Hull Identification Number if you have it

Your vehicle info:

Make, model, color
License plate number
Where you're parking (specific lot or location)
Any parking permits displayed

I learned this one the hard way at Lake Mead. Told my wife I was launching from Boulder Beach, but there are THREE parking areas there. Guess which one she sent rangers to first? Wrong one, naturally.

Step 3: Document Who's Paddling?

For each person include:

Full name (not nicknames)
Age and physical description
Swimming ability (be honest)
Medical conditions and medications
Emergency contact info
What they're wearing (bright colors noted)

Experience level matters: Don't just write "experienced." I've met "experienced" paddlers who've never been in water over their heads. Be specific: "5 years whitewater experience" or "beginner - third time kayaking."

Step 4: Map Out Your Route (Be Disgustingly Specific)

This is where most sample float plan templates fall short. They give you a tiny box for "route." Here's what you actually need:

Launch details:

Exact launch point name and GPS coordinates
Launch time (not "morning" - actual time)
Direction of travel from launch

Planned route:

Primary destination(s)
Planned stops with approximate times
Alternative routes if weather changes
Turnaround points

Return info:

Expected return time (be realistic)
Latest return time before worrying
Where you'll take out (might be different from launch)

When I'm paddling new locations, I screenshot maps on my phone and include them with my float plan. Visual references help rescuers way more than "heading toward the big island."

Step 5: List Your Safety and Communication Gear

Don't just write "standard safety equipment." Search teams need specifics:

Communication devices:

Cell phone number(s)
VHF radio channel monitoring
Satellite communicator ID
Whistle type/color

Safety equipment:

PFD color and type
Helmet info if whitewater
Flares, strobes, or signaling devices
First aid kit
Emergency shelter/bivvy

Pro tip: Take a photo of yourself in your gear before launching. Include it with your float plan. Rescuers can show it around marinas - "Have you seen this person?"

Step 6: Include the "If I Don't Return" Instructions

This is the part nobody wants to think about, but it's literally the most important section. What should a boater do with a float plan if you're overdue?

Clear timeline:

"If not back by [time], wait 30 minutes"
"If no contact by [time + 30 min], call my cell"
"If no response by [time + 1 hour], contact authorities"

Who to call:

Local authorities number (not just 911)
Coast Guard sector number
Park rangers if applicable
Marina security

What to tell them:

You have a written float plan
Last confirmed location/time
Description of vessel and paddler
Any known hazards in area

Pro Tips from the Water

After fifteen years of paddling and one too many close calls, here's what I've learned about float plans:

The 10-Minute Rule: If your trip extends more than 10 minutes past planned, update your float plan holder. Batteries die, weather changes, that "perfect fishing spot" might keep you longer. A quick text prevents a full search operation.

Weather Windows: Include weather checks in your plan. I note: "Will not launch if winds above 15mph or thunderstorms within 20 miles." This stops your contact from panicking if you never left shore due to weather.

Digital Backups: I email my float plan to myself and my contact. Then I print it and leave it on my car dashboard. If something happens, authorities can check my vehicle and immediately know everything.

The Night Factor: Night paddling requires extra float plan details. Include your lighting setup, expected illumination devices, and specific night navigation plans. Searching in darkness is exponentially harder.

Common Mistakes (And How to Fix Them?)

Mistake 1: The "Quick Paddle" Exemption "I'm just going out for an hour" kills more paddlers than any storm. Solution: Have a simplified float plan template for short trips. Takes 2 minutes, might save 2 days of searching.

Mistake 2: Vague Locations "Paddling the river" is useless to search teams. Solution: Use specific launch names, mile markers, or GPS coordinates. Download offline maps showing your exact route.

Mistake 3: Not Closing Your Float Plan Forgetting to check in causes unnecessary search operations. Solution: Set phone alarms for check-in times. Make it muscle memory - load kayak, then immediately text "I'm back."

Mistake 4: Only Telling One Person Your single contact might be in a movie, shower, or dead phone zone when you need them. Solution: Two contacts minimum, preferably in different locations.

Gear That Helps

While a written float plan is essential, these tools make the system even better:

GPS Tracking Devices: Something like a Garmin InReach lets contacts track you real-time. Include the tracking link in your float plan. When choosing kayak safety gear, consider devices that work without cell coverage.

Waterproof Phone Cases: Keep your phone functional for check-ins. I use one that floats and has a lanyard - learned that lesson in the Guadalupe River.

VHF Radio: Cell phones fail. VHF radios with DSC can send distress signals with GPS coordinates. Include your MMSI number in your float plan.

Bright Marking Tape: Reflective tape on your paddle and kayak helps aerial searches. Note these markings in your float plan description.

Printable Float Plan Template

Here's my battle-tested float plan example that covers everything:

FLOAT PLAN - [DATE]
Emergency Contact: [Name] - [Phone]
Backup Contact: [Name] - [Phone]

PADDLER INFO:
Name: [Full name]
Description: [Height, weight, hair color, clothing colors]
Medical: [Conditions, medications]
Swimming: [Ability level]
Experience: [Specific kayaking experience]

VESSEL:
Type: [Sit-on-top/Sit-in/Inflatable]
Length/Color: [12ft, yellow deck, white hull]
HIN: [Number]
Unique marks: [Stickers, damage, accessories]

VEHICLE:
Parked at: [Specific location]
Description: [Make, model, color]
License: [Plate number]

TRIP DETAILS:
Launch: [Location] at [Time]
Route: [Specific path with waypoints]
Destination: [Where you're headed]
Return by: [Time]
No later than: [Time]

SAFETY GEAR:
PFD: [Color/type]
Communication: [Phone #, radio channel]
Signaling: [Whistle, flares, strobe]
Other: [First aid, shelter, etc.]

IF OVERDUE:
[Time]: Try calling my cell
[Time + 30min]: Call backup contact
[Time + 1hr]: Call authorities
Emergency #: [Local sheriff/CG]

Weather limits: [Won't launch if...]
Known hazards: [Rapids, boat traffic, etc.]

FAQ Section

Can I get sick from filing a float plan?

Not unless you're allergic to safety! But seriously, the only "sickness" you'll get is peace of mind. Takes five minutes, might save your life.

Do all kayakers need float plans?

Every single one. I don't care if you're paddling a farm pond or crossing Lake Superior - water doesn't discriminate. I've seen experienced paddlers need rescue from "easy" spots when gear failed or medical emergencies hit.

Should I file with the Coast Guard?

No - they don't accept float plans. File with a trusted person who can contact authorities if needed. Some marinas keep them on file, and there are apps that store them digitally.

What if my plans change mid-trip?

Update your contact ASAP. Quick text: "Extending trip 2 hours, now returning by 6 PM." Changed plans are fine; not communicating them isn't.

How detailed should a one-hour paddle plan be?

Less detailed than overnight trips but still specific: Launch spot, direction, return time, boat description, your phone number. Even my 30-minute dawn paddles get a basic plan.

Can I use the same float plan repeatedly?

Create a template with standard info (boat details, emergency contacts), then update trip-specific details each time. I have different templates for different types of paddles.

What about group paddles?

Each paddler should have their own plan, or create one comprehensive group plan listing everyone. Include who's leading, sweep boat, and decision-making protocol.

Do fishing kayakers need different plans?

Yes - include fishing spots, anchoring locations, and extended time frames. Fishing focus can make you drift further than planned. I always add extra time buffers when trolling.

Final Thoughts

Look, I get it. Paperwork isn't why we paddle. We're out there for sunrises over glassy water, the burn in our shoulders after a good sprint, that perfect moment when an osprey dives right beside your kayak.

But here's what I know after twenty years on the water and too many search-and-rescue stories: the paddlers who make it home are the ones who plan to make it home.

That float plan sitting on your kitchen counter or saved in your phone isn't pessimism - it's your promise to everyone who loves you that you're taking your safety seriously. It's five minutes of preparation that could prevent days of searching.

Last month, a paddler went missing on Lake Powell. Had a float plan. Rescued in four hours instead of four days. His kayak had cracked on a hidden rock, and he was clinging to a cliff face with a broken ankle. The float plan told rescuers exactly which canyon to search.

So before your next launch - whether it's a month-long expedition or a sunset paddle around the harbor - take those five minutes. Fill out that form. Tell someone where you're going.

Because the best paddling stories end with "and then I got home safe." Make sure yours does too.

See you on the water (and back at the launch).