Performance Boating License
 

I just read the editorial from Brett Becker in my latest POWERBOAT Mag regarding licensing drivers of performance boats. I have had countless converstions about this subject for some time.

Due to the ever increasing amount of people out there that have no clue what the hell there doing out on the water, the general consensus in most of these conversations is that ALL boaters should be licensed.

I have never done a poll before so forgive me if I screw this up, but I really want to know what everyone thinks about this subject.

Thanks

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I'd gladly take a course on performance boating.I think Bob Saccenti should teach the art of the throttles.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I don't agree with a license, however I would like to see a performance boating course that is recognized buy the insurance underwriters.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Performance license or no license...I don't want to give the gov't another excuse to take away our rights. I agree with the arguements that a few stupid boters ruin things for the majority but... in review of the total fatalities per boat registration vs auto license; A lot more lives can be saved nationally by focusing on the road accidents.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Amen.No license just courses to teach and improve performance boating skills.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

So we should have performance boaters take the course?

I have to say that we have a large # of performance boaters on the lake but I have never had my safety compromised by another performance boater. I can not even begin to count the number of times that I have had to execute an evasive maneuver because of the rest of the boaters.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I agree with Joe90sc, but It would be nice to see an insurance break and possibly make some boats like cats more insurable.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Leave the government out of this, they messup enough of our lives.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Hi,

You can also save a lot more lives not fighting in wars and becoming a pacifist country.

Kinda irrelevent bring road deaths into the mix - IMHO.

My wife and I have boaters licenses - it cost us 15 bucks and our signatures. How many idiots can't even adhere to "red right returning".

At least the road warriors know they have to stop a a red light (whether they do or not is another issue)

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I say have the boat manufacturers put courses together. Good way to bond with customers and who knows more about their boats anyways. Should come free with every purchase! Scarab school was a great idea!

This is a picture of a boat that was used in "school" now for sale.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I would certainly agree that ALL boaters should be required to take a USCG safety course. A few years ago I didn't feel this way...but it seems that every time that we go out on the water, we see more people that have absolutely no idea what they are supposed to be doing. It makes it unsafe for everyone and unfortunately it will make it too expensive to get insurance in the near future for those of us that aren't filthy rich. Just my .02 :)

Craig

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I guess you can look at it this way

We can be proactive and regulate and protect our own recreation or........

We could have the insurance companies regulate it for us :eek:

Re: Performance Boating License
 

They already do. Watch your premiums.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I AGREE. They will inevitably use the licensing as an excuse for more TAXES :hothead:

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Absolutely!!!It's a money thing.
There's plenty of idiots on the highway with licenses...do you think the water will be any different. You should be required to take a course so you at least under stand markers and rules of the road because there's some people out there that are TOTALLY CLULESS :blaster:

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Since I was quoted in the story - you guys know where I stand.

If the choice is Speed Limits or Licencing in NJ - I know what I would choose.

There are entirely too many people out there that don't have a clue.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Ohh who put this record back on again?

How will handing the government a fee that increases every year save lives? If there are private sector performance boating schools taught by experienced former offshore racers then fine, let the insurance companies recognize them. However I don't think we need to go sit in a 10 hour class taught by Ranger Rogers whose experience is limited to a 140-HP center console patrol boat.

The last thing I want is for the states to get more money and spend it on ways to further limit our freedom on the water. Right now their struggling for money and in my opinion that is a trend that needs to continue. The less money they have to patrol the fewer muffler Nazis you will have to deal with.

Roby

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Have the course run by a partnership of USCG and the insurance companies, with the fees of the course and licence split w/ majority going to insurance co's. This should subsidize insurance rates.
If you are out without a licence, the boat is taken and auctioned... more insurance subsidies.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

:blaster:

That's a little harsh.

Roby

Re: Performance Boating License
 

CG Aux class should be the required class and cert and that's it. Then any fees will go to that organization instead of the greedy state gov't.

In NJ for a few extra bucks you can get boat added to your DL, however it only requires the fee, kinda worthless as a boating license.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

NOPE! Not worthless at all. The state got exactly what they wanted.

Roby

Re: Performance Boating License
 

The states could use that highway tax that we pay for with every gallon of gas to subsidize a boating safety school.

Like that will ever happen. :rolleyes:

Re: Performance Boating License
 

All boaters should be required to take a boating course and the individual states could add a code to their drivers license as proof. No extra fees, just renew it with your regular license. They do it with motorcycles, why not boats.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

No extra fees, I don't think so, you can bet there would a lot of extra fees just for the licensing.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I would prefer not to see licensing for boats, people will just take the risk and run anyways, kinda like riding a bike and a car. Only in trouble if caught. Also if a license was required then the applying person could go get a john boat with a 25hp motor on it and pass then bring out his 70mph boat. Now if the insurance companys wanted to get together and issue a safe boating course like the cycle classes and approve of the course for an insurance break then all for something like that.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

No lisence and no speed limits.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

When I was in High school we had a required boating safety coarse and received a card that proved it. It should be that way now. I don't agree you need a license. Maybe the manufactures could voluntarily put right of way decals on the helm with basic rules of the waterways.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

It seems that at this point we might all agree that at least all drivers of any watercraft ( jetskis, ski boats, cruisers, high performance ) should be required to take some sort of a USCG certification course.

At least then I might not have to be so good at evasive driving techniques.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I have been boating for 30 years, I have taken the boaters safety course at 14. I say all should take a course to learn the rules of the water. I cannot count the number of times boaters are on the wrong side of the "road" I am tired of it. I can't even relax on a busy lake due to incompetent boaters. LOTO was the worst I have ever seen. Drive the damn boat like a car, when passing or any maneuver.....leave them to the left....I have had times I would like to pull them over and explain the jerk off move they made. Don't even get me started on Lake Lice...... :blaster:

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Big 10-4 on this.. It's like taking an MSF course for motorcycles... You'll get a better rate for your two wheeler if you have an MSF cert.
That is what we need for boats.......

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Insurance company's ar'nt going to give you a break because you got some piece of paper saying you past a written test! their gonna go by your past driving record, house insurance claims and credit report, most asses that drive like that do it on the road too! and as far as motorcycle endorsements, some states don't require it, it's up to the state in which you live. We don't need any more government involvement, if you see some ass doing something wrong inform them nicely, if they don't respond tell the other boaters with you at the marina and they'll gladly explain the rules of the water in a big group intervention!!!

Re: Performance Boating License
 

This incident happened near my home.

A ski boat was idling along in the 5mph zone on this warm summer day. Sitting on the swim step was a small child without a vest with her feet in the water. The child was soon overcome by carbon monoxide from the boats exhaust and fell into the water and drowned.

This child did not have to die because of driver stupidity.

A certification course would have taught them that all children must wear life jackets and that all people must be in the seated area of the boat when under way.

This isn't just about insurance rates

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Like I said, stupid people do stupid things and a piece of paper unfortunately won't change a thing, the liberals prove it day in and day out.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

this is the dumbist theing i have heard yet. Rarly do you see someone in a performance boat that doesn't know what they are doing, it is usually the bozo that just bought his first sea ray or ski boat, or someone in a little rental boat that does some thing stupid. rarley does somebody drop a quarter mil or more and buy a prformance boat as there first boat, usually by the time they step up to a go fast boat they have figured it out. so alls you would be doing is penalizing the ones that already know how to boat. it has to be all or nothing, and I say nothing, I will deal with a few stupid people to have my freedom. and do me a favor, stop talking about this, if some moron in politics see's these post and gets a crazy idea about licensing boaters, I will be pissed, we don't need to give them idea's

Re: Performance Boating License
 

first off you need to ask your self how many performance boat accidents have we heard of this year , maybe 10, well below is the coast guard statistics on boating accidents, it is quit clear that we are not the problem, it is inexperianced recreational boaters, waterskiers, and jet skiers that need some training.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

the artical that i pulled ths from said that over 1300 of the collisions were jetski related and this was even back before they were vary popular.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I agree that performance boaters are usally going to be the most experienced, believe me I am been on the water for 25 years. Unfortunetely because of the speeds we run we are taking the beating for the boating industry as a whole. Something needs to be done to educate the rest of the boating community so we don't run over them when they turn or fall right in front of us

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Wait until the Government gets a hold of some nice legislation... Does anyone remember Joan Claybrook? She was the head of the National Highway and safety administration. She singlehandedly made all the motorcycle manufacturers standardize controls... that meant all English bikes had to now shift on the left foot... brake on the right... all throttles had to be right hand and front brake on the right ,,, clutch lever on the left.. and no foot clutches... Think what a hay-day she would have with boats... all boats would probably have to fitted with automatic anchor drops in case of emergency..... Boating is much like the last frontier that isn't swamped with legislation about the size and horsepower of your ride. I'd like to keep it that way. I for one don't want "fish cops" handing out tickets for how fast I go on the open water. Everything else should be known to the captain of the boat... You cannot legislate away stupidity.

Re: Performance Boating License
 

Bottom line?

School: yes

License: NOOOOOOOOOOOOO

Re: Performance Boating License
 

I would like to think that if someone took a safety course they would receive a discount on their insurance rates. Will it happen. Probably not. The insurance companies spend too much time on devising ways to deny claims.

Licenses:NO

You cannot license or regulate stupidity or common sense, which in today's world there is way too much of the first and way too little of the second. You let government get the door even slightly ajar and the next thing you know there will be fees on top of taxes on top of govermental regulation. Remember we are speaking of a government that spent $ 2,500.00 per toilet seat.

What's the answer? I don't know. I do know I do not want any more governmental intrusion into my life. I do not want any more taxes or fees. My wife and I own our own business, a custom cabinet/furniture shop. I spend more on taxes and insurances than I do for everything else in my life combined. Everytime I pick up a paper I am reading where the county commissioners "staff" is recommending another fee or tax to pay for some other hairbrained scheme. Down here they want to put in traffic "roundabouts" despite that 90% of the people do not want them. We're getting them shoved down our throats at great expense out of our pockets. I can't understand why politicians insist on telling us what we want or what is good for us. They should pass a law that says every time a new law is added, an old law must be removed. We are over taxed, over regulated, over fee'd, and over law'd.

Wouldn't it be a wonderful wonderful thing if next April 15th, every citizen mailed in their tax return with a "SCREW YOU" on it.

Sorry, didn't mean to start ranting but taxes and insurance and regulation just sends me into orbit.