Legally operation a boat.?????

[Dmaxx85]

Just curious if you need a drivers license to operate a boat in Ny state???? I'm over 18 but don't have a drivers license just wondering if I can legally operate a boat in Ny state without one???? I don't have a boating course or anything. Is one needed without a license ?????
Any info would be great
Thanks

 

[Don S]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

CLICK HERE

 

[Bondo]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Just curious if you need a drivers license to operate a boat in Ny state???? I'm over 18 but don't have a drivers license just wondering if I can legally operate a boat in Ny state without one???? I don't have a boating course or anything. Is one needed without a license ?????
Any info would be great
Thanks

Nope, no driver licence needed, but a boater safety course completion card IS required...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Nope, no driver licence needed, but a boater safety course completion card IS required...

Nope, he's over 18, so neither drivers license nor safety course is required unless he wants to operate a PWC. PWC operation requires passing an approved safety course.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

You are free to operate a properly Titled and Register Boat in NY as long as you obey the rules of the waterways and have all the legally requires Safety, Signaling, and Operational Equipment on board.

If you are not certain what it means to be properly Titled and Registered, or exactly what all the required Safety, Signaling, and Operational equipment is;

It is highly suggested that you complete a Boaters Education course on a voluntary basis.
Too much knowledge is seldom a bad thing. The life of Yourself and Other will be in your hands.

 

[Jeep Man]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

CLICK HERE

Surprised and disappointed by your response Don. If we are to help new, young members by telling them to go to "google", why have a forum at all. I expected that type of response from a few select members here but not from someone of your experience.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

true dat.
We know that the minimum legal requirements are seldom the best way to go. The OP says he has no experience with anything and it's clear from his post he will need more guidance than information.

But then folks from other states start talking about their requirements and it gets confusing for the lad.

 

[jigngrub]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Surprised and disappointed by your response Don. If we are to help new, young members by telling them to go to "google", why have a forum at all. I expected that type of response from a few select members here but not from someone of your experience.

Meh, people need to learn how to use Google search too.

... it leaves more room in the forum for the really important stuff like what kind of boat should I buy and what color is the best.

At least Don showed the young man where he could find the information he needed... unlike you and I that have added nothing to this thread.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

CLICK HERE

Don-

That's an awesome link and perhaps very useful for the many questions that get asked, yet are easily 'Googled'

FWIW - I think some things are better being Googled rather than asked on a forum. Particularly when state laws and similar topics are concerned, as forums posts generally get an array of answers, which can be confusing. I'd prefer to see that folks get a direct & authoritative answer in these instances.

 

[Lyle29464]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Surprised and disappointed by your response Don. If we are to help new, young members by telling them to go to "google", why have a forum at all. I expected that type of response from a few select members here but not from someone of your experience.

Nothing for Christmas again this year? "eh"

 

[Don S]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Surprised and disappointed by your response Don. If we are to help new, young members by telling them to go to "google", why have a forum at all. I expected that type of response from a few select members here but not from someone of your experience.

Look at the above posts before yours. 2 guys both from New York give different answers to the same question. Who's right.

Then you have someone from Ohio explaining NY laws. Want to take that info to court when you get a ticket?

I gave him a link to official NY information, published by NY. and you think that's wrong ???????? :facepalm:

This is a forum. All you need is a keyboard to reply, you don't even have to know what you are talking about to reply, and that fact is all too often seen in replies. To any type of question.
I've seen replies telling someone with a Chevy 350 engine in their boat to check the reed valves for a running problem.

 

[Fisherball]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Ohio does require a license for those born after a certain date. (1980-+ I think) It's basically a safety course. It is illegal for some one under 16 to operate a boat alone. This is to keep crazy jet skiers from causing problems.

 

[Bondo]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Nope, he's over 18, so neither drivers license nor safety course is required unless he wants to operate a PWC. PWC operation requires passing an approved safety course.

Ayuh,.... After usin' Don's link,............ I stand Corrected,......:facepalm:

but it Did take abuncha clickin' to actually Find it....
The NYS website S**ks...

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Ohio does require a license for those born after a certain date. (1980-+ I think) It's basically a safety course. It is illegal for some one under 16 to operate a boat alone. This is to keep crazy jet skiers from causing problems.

They probably do, but that doesn't make a lick of difference to someone who wants to legally operate a boat in NY...

I think Don has it right...
Let the OP's fingers do the walking on Google to find out what New York laws are, from New York authorities.
I on the other hand will be checking the reed valves on my 350, and maybe the bypass ports if I get a chance...

 

[NYBo]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

but it Did take abuncha clickin' to actually Find it....
The NYS website S**ks...

Ayuh, it sure does! But I should have posted a direct link to something that gave the answer. Then we wouldn't have all this debate about Googling. :redface:

Here's a link to the relevant NYS Parks & Recreation page with the info: Boating Education - NYS Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation

I'm also a strong advocate of boating safety courses, whether required or not.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Nope, he's over 18, so neither drivers license nor safety course is required unless he wants to operate a PWC. PWC operation requires passing an approved safety course.

Correct for most of NY. However, as a result of some spectacular boating accidents in the past few years, Suffolk County (on Long Island) recently passed legislation requiring everyone operating a power boat in county waters to obtain a boater safety certificate beginning in 2013. There will be a one-year grace period before enforcement begins, to give boaters time to comply. Nassau County is expected to follow suit soon.

Past history suggests that the new law will be adopted state-wide eventually. I strongly suggest that rehgardless of where in NY the OP lives, he take a course through the US Power Squadrons (I'm a member), CG Auxiliary or similar.

My .02

 

[NYBo]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Correct for most of NY. However, as a result of some spectacular boating accidents in the past few years, Suffolk County (on Long Island) recently passed legislation requiring everyone operating a power boat in county waters to obtain a boater safety certificate beginning in 2013. There will be a one-year grace period before enforcement begins, to give boaters time to comply. Nassau County is expected to follow suit soon.

Past history suggests that the new law will be adopted state-wide eventually. I strongly suggest that rehgardless of where in NY the OP lives, he take a course through the US Power Squadrons (I'm a member), CG Auxiliary or similar.

My .02

Doggone it, I forgot about that! You are entirely correct- and we had a long discussion of this issue at a Division meeting over the summer.:facepalm:

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

remember, different laws apply in different waters, even within a state--there may be local laws and if a lake is state or federal, those laws may apply. And different laws for national parks (no jet skis?) and other federal waters (including the use of deadly force for vessels approaching Navy assets....)

 

[Mi duckdown]

Re: Legally operation a boat.?????

Don S. post was spot on.