These are separate issues. Boater card or no, if you have a banned outboard you are not in compliance and face the consequences. If you don't have a boater card and have a noncompliant outboard you are in violation of two laws.
California Boater Card
- Thread starter Kings Gambit
- Start date
My point was and remains, nobody is going to check for your boater card at the ramp unless you are trying to a) rent a boat or b) invited suspicion by violating other rules and laws. Same as your driver's license. Nobody checks your license while driving unless you invite suspicion for probable violation of other laws and regulations. Then failure to be properly licensed is an add-on offense.
The 3 most likely things trailer sailors are going to be tripped up on are 1) expired or no state registration decal, 2) wrong motor for the waters, and 3) zebra mussel exam for having an inaccessible centerboard trunk. Then the question of a state boating card will be asked.
Fred W
I guess I fail to see the resistance. I got my card online several years ago when I purchased a ski/fish boat. it was super simple and most here would pass the test with very little or no prior study. common sense answers. a one time test/never expires. why NOT just get the card and be done with it?
It is the freedom of the seas. One of the last places that is not over regulated with he unwritten expectation that you take care of yourself and help any boat in peril. Unfortunately, humans being what we are, too many abuse the freedom and cause problems for others, and so, regulation follows.
I guess I will have to dig out my card if I can find it or just take the test and pay the $50. Probably does not help that I am a USCG navigator. I do use 4 strokes on the boats that apply or diesel on my sailboats.
If I end up going there I will check their websites. Wonder what they do at lakes like Tahoe which covers two states.
Interesting about the motor home comments. What is illegal about them? I actually move boats all over the country both power and sail by land on trailer as well as by sea. I run into these guys that have had the delete kits installed and smoke like the dickens, I always wondered how they get away with it. I run stock diesels and actually try to abide by the law in all things.
Thanks for the additional insight. Ken
If I end up going there I will check their websites. Wonder what they do at lakes like Tahoe which covers two states.
Interesting about the motor home comments. What is illegal about them? I actually move boats all over the country both power and sail by land on trailer as well as by sea. I run into these guys that have had the delete kits installed and smoke like the dickens, I always wondered how they get away with it. I run stock diesels and actually try to abide by the law in all things.
Thanks for the additional insight. Ken
I don't have a problem with the card, I have a problem when every state try's to cash in in the name of SAFETY. When in reality all it is is a money grab it seems. They spend all the money and have to look for new fees to spend. But I know that it does do some good. Actually in my state when the enacted it you could grandfather in before a certain date. But even with the card we had two boats hit head on, full throttle, neither made any course adjustment or even throttled back.
Even with driver's licenses and enforcement people do stupid things and have accidents. I don't think the motivation is purely financial, although, once the decision is made to enact the legislation it is necessary to fund its implantation. If simply requiring a boater's card by passing a test doesn't curb accidents and injuries, then I would expect stricter enforcement and tougher licensing requirements will be necessary. I suspect those days are still far of in the future.
The California Air Resources Board (CARB) has forbidden the sale of new motor homes in California starting in 2025 unless the companies can offset the sales of the motor homes with an annually increasing percentage sales of new electric-powered motor homes. Manufacturers are trying to get the CARB regulations delayed or eliminated with no success so far, saying the chassis manufacturers have not come up with an electric-powered alternative. There are several Eastern states that have tied themselves to CARB regulations, so it's not just the loss of the California market.
I believe (but can't verify off the top of my head) there are similar CARB rules pending for the large tractor trucks. 2025 could be an exciting year as the war between the "shut it all down" environmentalists and the "do nothing" fossil fuel supporters escalates.
Fred W
Because of this thread I skimmed thru the free online study course from the Department of Boating and Motorways.
Boating Safety Classes and Courses
I emailed them to request they mail me the "official" answer sheet which they have replied "is in the mail." After I fill it in, sign and return I can then get my Boaters Card for $10 I believe. $10 seems a deal, probably doesn't pay the wages of the guy to mail then grade my test then fill out a card and mail it back..
I was just leaving the fuel dock one day when a jetski streaked across the channel in front of me and slammed head on into the dock for the Catalina Express. Wasn't a rental but a new high-performance model the owner had only used once the previous day. Man and his kid aboard, says they were doing 25 but looked like 45 to me. This education requirement isn't going to prevent a lot of accidents but may prevent some with minimal effort or negative effect on the tourism industry.
Video: Shocking Dana Point PWC Crash Caught On Video - The Watercraft Journal | the best resource for JetSki, WaveRunner, and SeaDoo enthusiasts and most popular Personal WaterCraft site in the world!
Boating Safety Classes and Courses
I emailed them to request they mail me the "official" answer sheet which they have replied "is in the mail." After I fill it in, sign and return I can then get my Boaters Card for $10 I believe. $10 seems a deal, probably doesn't pay the wages of the guy to mail then grade my test then fill out a card and mail it back..
I was just leaving the fuel dock one day when a jetski streaked across the channel in front of me and slammed head on into the dock for the Catalina Express. Wasn't a rental but a new high-performance model the owner had only used once the previous day. Man and his kid aboard, says they were doing 25 but looked like 45 to me. This education requirement isn't going to prevent a lot of accidents but may prevent some with minimal effort or negative effect on the tourism industry.
Video: Shocking Dana Point PWC Crash Caught On Video - The Watercraft Journal | the best resource for JetSki, WaveRunner, and SeaDoo enthusiasts and most popular Personal WaterCraft site in the world!