How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

[Navy Jr.]

I'm new to boating. Truth is, I'm so new I don't even have a boat yet. I have had this dream, however, for many years; and I plan to act on it before I get too old to enjoy it. Will probably make the plunge at the upcoming boat show in Minneapolis this coming winter.

Anyway, there's a pretty good website put on by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources that has a boating safety course. After taking the course one can opt to take an exam and, assuming a passing grade is made, be issued an official Minnesota Boater Education Certificate. It allows you to study the material at your own pace, then take a practice exam before putting up $15 for the real thing. I got a 91% on the practice test, but will study more before going for the certficate.

I imagine most, if not all, other states have something similar. Thing is, in Minnesota the certificate is not required if you over the age of 18. It seems to me that operating a boat can be just as hazardous as driving a car, so wouldn't it seem logical that everyone who operates a boat be licensed?

While I haven't been a member of this forum very long, I have learned to admire the knowledge base of its membership. So here's my question:

How many of you have Safe Boating Certificates?

A related question: do you believe certification should be required?

Thanks, and all the best.

 

[bassboy1]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

As I am 14, I had to take it to be able to boat alone. It didn't seem like it helped much. The main test has the same questions, with the same answers as the practice test. And, in Ga, it is not required over 16 years. The way I feel, is that they should a) make a better test, that actually tests the boaters knowledge, and skill, as opposed to how well he can write down the answers from the pretest, and use them on the test. and b) make it MANDATORY for all boaters, like a drivers license.

My opinion. Save your 15 bucks, and just read the material, and study as you would the test. Taking the test is not going to help you, just take the pretest, as the questions are the same. You will come out knowing everything that someone who passed the test, and have not wasted 15 bucks. Now, if you are like me, and are required to take it, go ahead, but otherwise, it seems pointless.

 

[Mike722]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I took the test a couple of years ago, with my oldest son. It was a day long coarse by the Illinois Dept of Natural Resources with a test at the end. Here, you need the card if you are under 16 to operate a boat by yourself. Some insurance companies will give you a discount if you have passed, as well.

I recommand that everyone take some kind of boating coarse and maybe a refresher every once and awhile.

 

[wncrjb]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I don't really think the certificate is all that important, but the knowledge you gain from studying for it is.

BTW, welcome to the forum.

And if you want knowledge??? prowl around this forum for a while, there are alot of brains willing to help you out in any situation.

And, driving a boat can be MORE hazardous than driving a car..... not to may people drown from a fender bender at the super market. just my $.02


wncrjb

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

i've been around boats for 45 years, boating has changed very much in that time. in the old days you waved at the other boaters, and respected there space, with distance, and the wake you throw. now there are so many boats, and pwc's on the water it has, and can be dangerous. i like bassboy, beleive it is going to become a necessity that all drivers of boat be certified. i and my whole family are certified boaters. all need to know the rules of the water. i also believe if you are not mechanically inclined, a membership in Sea Tow or the like is a total necessity. also never leave a disable boat until you know help is on the way, or you take it in tow yourself.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

got my 1st boater class back in the 70s in MN, probalby thru mn dnr, though i can't remember. mom's got a cabin on lake belletaine. a few years ago, i went for it again. this time with the united states power squadron. they seem to be a pretty good way to go. though i think my sqadron is perhaps a little lacking. but since i'm in the middle of a corn field, it don't surprise me. anyways. ya. go for the class and get a certificate too. with whoever. united states coast gaurd auxilary is another organization committed to boater education and safty. i went on further in the power sqadron. they have tiers of education to take. that further and further educate you. up to celestial navigation. it's most interesting. after many years of boating. i learned plenty in those classes. took them a couple years ago. so, if ya don't use it, ya lose it. but i still have a general idea of what i learned. not to mention ya get to hang out with other boaters.......and talk boats

i work for various customers as they call. anyways. got me a call the other day. ne. game and parks had a new location to work at. got to meet the local law enforcment officer. he talked up the uscg aux. and may have me interested in that again. they seem a bit more militeristic (like the military) as to the way they do biz though. side note. if they make me cut my hair, i ain't joinin.....

don't know if i support mandatory boater ed or not. i hate the govt tell me what i can and cant do.........though i think in my heart, i think it'd be a good idea. bunch of uneducated creatons on the lake every weekend. they're a hazard to themselfs, let alone me and others.....

 

[RWilson2526]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

In NJ it is mandatory. Have been grandfathering it in for a few years in 10 year increments....ie you must have one if you were born before 1970, 1960 and so on....conveniently went up to about $60-$80 once it became mandatory. Having never owned a boat I thought it was very informative. Everyone says "its all common sense" Yea its common sense once you know the answers!. Even if people walk away with only learning the rules of the road I think it is worth. Should be mandatory everywhere in my opinion

 

[evilratgirl]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

Bassboy, I like the way you think. It's nice to see real thought process from a young person. I also agree with the notion of the certificate to be of real meaning it should include classroom and practical.

I've done several of the boat safety programs online but never applied for the certificate. I'm too damn cheap and the real purpose for me is the knowlege.
I'd like to take the power squadren or CGA with my youngest daughter so she could get the certificate and practical experience.

Navy, as far as your question of should it be mandatory,?????? Knowlege helps people willing to use it. To drive a car you're supposed to have a drivers license. You know what it's like driving down 494, 212, 100, and there's stupid everywhere.

I'm a firm believer in the quest for knowlege. This site is a great place to learn many things the DNR and CGA aren't going to give you.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

in Florida, and other states. you can get certified for free, the state will mail you the booklet, it's and open book test. they want you to atleast look up the answers. then you mail the test in and a week later, you have your certificate. or you pay the internet people the fee, and they certified you pass, and the state sends you the same certificate. pay pay the internet company.

i did power squadron back in 1971, while in the navy, so i could use the docks, and storage on the naval base. was a requirement of the navy, before using there free space.

 

[tommays]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

At 51 and after a lifetime of boats i took it this spring and still learned a few things


The good news was there were many NEW boats owners taking it to learn BEFORE they had problems


Tommays

 

[JB]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I took the USPS courses (boating safety, seamanship and piloting and Navigator) back in the 70s. I thought I knew what I was doing before that but I was wrong.

 

[ziggy]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I thought I knew what I was doing before that but I was wrong.

that sums it up for me too.........

 

[Expidia]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

At 51 and after a lifetime of boats i took it this spring and still learned a few things


The good news was there were many NEW boats owners taking it to learn BEFORE they had problems


Tommays

My sentiments exactly, I've been boating for 30 years. Several years ago to drive a jet ski in NY it became mandatory to take a boating course and carry the license on you when jet skiing.

So my Wife and I took the course on a Sat in a town nearby us. I'd recommend doing the same rather than take it on a computer as it was listening to the Coast Guard Auxiliary instructor and experiences of others in the class that we got the most out of.

I left the class actually really upset with myself as to how much I thought I knew about boating and how much I had been putting both myself and my family at risk over all of my years of boating.

I also like Tashasdaddy response as to it's a different world on the water now. Jerks think nothing of flying by a smaller boats, canoes and kayaks and possibly swamping them with their wash. And they never even look back! If you get into a swamped situation as the captain you damn well better know what to do because no one else onboard (or overboard) will!

 

[Mark42]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

Wife and I took the Power Squadron course together. Took 4 or 5 evenings, and a multiple choice test at the end. Got our NJ certifications. Learned a lot that saved me from making many 'newbie' mistakes. Well worth the $40. Probably saved me that much in damages.

 

[dvan1901]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I think a certificate should be mandatory, a bit of a pain, but mandatory. It would probably keep some yahoo's from boating that have no reason boating. I think a class should also be required before you rent a boat. The most problems I've had on a lake is from renters. As part of the class I think their should be an etiquette section to address some of the things Trashdaddy mentioned. You have to have a license to drive a car and a boat can be just as, if not more dangerous.

Kudos to you Navy Jr for taking the classes before you bought a boat; I wish more people did. Also, you can save on your insurance!

 

[BF]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

Up here in Canada, it's we now need (mostly) a operator's card to operate a boat. I took the required course/test, but found it completely useless. 3 or 4 hours with lots of memorization with regard to buoy patterns and what they mean, which in itself isn't bad... if marker buoys were commonly used around here. But only the biggest lakes (more like mini oceans) actually use them. 99% of folks boat on small lakes. There was a complete lack of discussion of safety issues regarding a boat (?!). No discussion of safety issues when tubing/skiing (when someone is in the water around the boat)... No discussion of blower use for an I/O. No discussion of on water re-fueling issues or protocol.

Big thing in our course was buoy's, and telling you what equipment you are legally required to carry. The curriculum was mandated by the Fed gov't, and it really felt like it was more intended for education of boaters operating on the Great lakes, or in the Atlantic Seaway around ship traffic. Maybe those boaters would get more out of it than us that run small inland lakes.

From what I hear on hear, your "Power Squadron" type course sounds much better than what we are required to take. I've since seen some of my "class mates" at the lake doing idiotic things. Like standing chest deep in the water at the back of the boat, actually holding onto the motor, and telling their 7 year old, "OK start it up". They are mistakenly thinking that taking this course means that they know something about boat safety.

 

[mrfixitman40]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

In PA the mandatory is if you were born after 1982 you need to have it and everyone on a pwc needs to have it . I took the course because i wanted the knowledge and did learn alot from it. the only problem with mandating it i could see is if people don't want to know it they won't remember it . I honestly believe there should be a boat license but don't know if the kids today would remember what they learned or just throw it out .

 

[whywhyzed]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I took the Ontario one - it's stooopid. Passing it would have very little to do with anyone boating safely in my opinion. It's another tax.

 

[Chinewalker]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

I took the NYS course when I was 10 and that was 27 years ago. I read through the booklet my son got when he took the test two years ago and it didn't really tell me anything I didn't know. I see a lot of folks on the water who probably have taken the test and are certainly not using their knowledge. Common sense and courtesy is a bit too uncommon, regardless of what a little laminated card says...
- Scott

 

[jd_1598]

Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?

Hey guys,
I have been a boat owner a short time (2years) after being off the water ways a few years and forgotten alot, California offers a free safe boating book and test so every April/May I read thru the safe boating book as a refresher, then I take the test and send it off to Sacramento to get graded after 4/6 weeks I get results an certificate and I fax to my insurance Co.for my 20% discount. Taking it every year is redundit. But It is what I do.

Jim