Just got back from the 'puter store , as mine took a dump
Long story , short , the owner of the place is looking for a bigger boat himself and was telling me this year you are required(USCG) to have a "captains" license for anything over 20 something feet?????
I never heard anything like that unless it carried (paying) passengers or was for hire.
Any opinions????
Keep in mind this was from a 'puter geek , not one of us "go fasters"

Never heard of that one myself. But it varies from State to state. I know Pa keeps changing the requirements. This state now requires people under a certain age to have a opporators licens to drive a powerboat. All PWC opporators need to have one. But I have never heard of a Coast Guard required Captains License for powerboats.

He is wrong you are corrrect. You are not required to have a captains license.

What a geek

Pure BS. The only way you would be required to have a license is if you are getting paid.If you have the sea time take a course and get a license.6 pack or OUPV licenses are easy and from there they go in tonnage increments 25-50-100 ton etc.If nothing else you will understand the rules of the road better and earn respect from your peers. Some insurance companies give a break but not much more than a safe boating course. seaschool.com is one of many who offer courses that are Coast Guard approved.

I did not read the post clearly first time around.I'm not sure about Pennsylvania but many states require taking a safe boating course.Louisiana requires anyone born after January 1st 1988 to complete a safety course to operate anything over 10 horsepower.They may operate the boat if accompanied by someone 18 or older.As far as a Captains License you don't need it to operate a private vessel.

If every owner of a boat over 20' had to have a Captains license---it would KILL the sport (sportboats) completely. I think you have to have something like 2,000 hours to get your Captains license and it would take a few years!!

I hope he's better at computers than USCG legislation.

As a matter of fact , he is.........................Thank God

This was just here/say on his part

Is the geek's name Michael Gordon?

Welcome to NH, and coming to a state near you...

http://www.gencourt.state.nh.us/rules/saf-c6100.html


have more than 25hp? from jetski on up!