CA Boaters Card

[Badchoices03]

So apparently I am at the age that California thinks I need a Boaters Safety Card, I guess the last 35 years of safe boating with no accidents or hiccups, is not enough to prove that I am a responsible boater.

Has anyone done it? I paid the $10 fee to the State, thinking that was the cost of the course, but NO this is California, that $10 is just the "application" fee...now I have to find a course to enroll in that is anywhere from $27 - $55...is there an easy way? a free way? a FK YOU CALIFORNIA way? LOL

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

So apparently I am at the age that California thinks I need a Boaters Safety Card, I guess the last 35 years of safe boating with no accidents or hiccups, is not enough to prove that I am a responsible boater.

Has anyone done it? I paid the $10 fee to the State, thinking that was the cost of the course, but NO this is California, that $10 is just the "application" fee...now I have to find a course to enroll in that is anywhere from $27 - $55...is there an easy way? a free way? a FK YOU CALIFORNIA way? LOL

I just did it. Sign up for the BoatUS course. Probably the easiest way to do it. About 6 hours of content you can divide up into chunks.

Take the ca boater card application you sign up for and the application number and sign up at BoatUS and put the application number in.

Most of the content is timed which is annoying but prevents just skipping through it. I personally never watched any of the videos, just read the content and waited for the timer to expire so I could move on. Pretty much aced every test and the big test at the end.

They give you a temp card you can print them the real card shows up like a week later. Never expires.

Easy enough, though like you I dont understand how decades of actual boating experience needs a card I also don’t understand how most everyone else younger has already done it and yet idiots still abound on the CA lakes. I don’t see any improvement.

 

[Todd Mohr]

I did it last year, boring as hell.

 

[Swain]

I did it and it was sooo boring. Lost the card now

 

[Rayson1971]

What's the age now?. I'm 52 in July.

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

What's the age now?. I'm 52 in July.

I think up to 50 currently. I also think there’s like one or two more 5 year blocks per year coming up then it goes required for all years.

 

[Lumpy]

California Boating Safety Course

The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.

www.boatus.org

 

[Badchoices03]

I just did it. Sign up for the BoatUS course. Probably the easiest way to do it. About 6 hours of content you can divide up into chunks.

Take the ca boater card application you sign up for and the application number and sign up at BoatUS and put the application number in.

Most of the content is timed which is annoying but prevents just skipping through it. I personally never watched any of the videos, just read the content and waited for the timer to expire so I could move on. Pretty much aced every test and the big test at the end.

They give you a temp card you can print them the real card shows up like a week later. Never expires.

Easy enough, though like you I dont understand how decades of actual boating experience needs a card I also don’t understand how most everyone else younger has already done it and yet idiots still abound on the CA lakes. I don’t see any improvement.

Taking it now on the BoatUS website, its free, but they ask for a $10 donation which I did.

 

[C-Ya]

Post the questions on the test. I would find that interesting. (California)

A boaters card in Florida can be done in 10 minutes. Especially when the rental boat company gives you all the answers, so they can rent you a boat. That’s how it’s done here.

The tourist now think they have a maritime license. Lol

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

A lot of the BoatUS content is ocean and harbor stuff that the majority of lake going boaters will never encounter.

 

[Badchoices03]

A lot of the BoatUS content is ocean and harbor stuff that the majority of lake going boaters will never encounter.

YES exactly, not sure why i have to learn when and where you are allowed to flush your septic tank on open water....lol

 

[Badchoices03]

Its not that long, literally just press next every 24 seconds, take the stupid quizzes, then take the final exam....I was done in 2.5 hours

 

[Ricks raft]

A lot of the BoatUS content is ocean and harbor stuff that the majority of lake going boaters will never encounter.

So is there different versions of training/tests out there. I’m a boat us member but if there’s a shorter “inland” version I’d rather do that. I’m due next year.

 

[Justsomeguy]

I did it and it was sooo boring. Lost the card now

My wallet was stolen along with that stupid card. Any idea on replacement? I've been meaning to look into it.

 

[4Waters]

So is there different versions of training/tests out there. I’m a boat us member but if there’s a shorter “inland” version I’d rather do that. I’m due next year.

No inland version

 

[D19]

Completed the course a few years ago through boat US.

Great course! Now I know how to properly empty the tank for the toilet that I’ll never have in a boat.

 

[lbhsbz]

Completed the course a few years ago through boat US.

Great course! Now I know how to properly empty the tank for the toilet that I’ll never have in a boat.

…and what lights to display while trolling with a large net at night behind my Laveycraft Mod VP

 

[77charger]

But feel free to rent a pontoon boat with no experience bounce off other boats and your ok without card.

 

[Ironmike]

BAHAHAHA!!!!!!! So, Our Drivers licenses are no good & we need a ID to BOAT????!!!!! But NO ID to VOTE????!!!!! This is so freekin mind boggling!!!!!!! This country is so fkd if we DO NOT stop this BS!!!!
Do not comply with all of this BS!! Don't give it any traction!!
I have been boating for 35+ Years and have NEVER been asked to produce any id, license, ins, reg, anything of the sort for anything, & now magically a boater card is going to allow us to become better boaters? BAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

BAHAHAHA!!!!!!! So, Our Drivers licenses are no good & we need a ID to BOAT????!!!!! But NO ID to VOTE????!!!!! This is so freekin mind boggling!!!!!!! This country is so fkd if we DO NOT stop this BS!!!!
Do not comply with all of this BS!! Don't give it any traction!!
I have been boating for 35+ Years and have NEVER been asked to produce any id, license, ins, reg, anything of the sort for anything, & now magically a boater card is going to allow us to become better boaters? BAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!

Well to be fair your drivers license covered driving a car, and those rules of the road. Never a boat and a different set of rules for water.

I’ve been driving boats since before it was legal for me to drive a car, but for the crowd that drives a boat once or twice a year it’s helpful to explain to them why they can’t drive a boat like a car.

If it was possible, I’m for making everyone requalify for a license renewal with a drivers test about every 10 years. Cars and boats. Not a popular opinion but it would sure cut down on bad drivers.

 

[Luvnlife]

Just another way to attach your name to another number to get your money.

 

[lbhsbz]

Just another way to attach your name to another number to get your money.

It was free

 

[707dog]

my 16 yr son it taking his online tomorrow. he has been my boating partner since a pup he has a good grasp on boating/docking launching, he will get alot more wheel time this year now that he is a legal beagle.

 

[jet496]

I wonder how they will get around renting boats & jet skis to people without cards.

Wouldn't seem fair that dumbasses with no experience can rent skis & boats, putting everybody at risk, but responsible people that own them have to get a card.

 

[4Waters]

I wonder how they will get around renting boats & jet skis to people without cards.

Wouldn't seem fair that dumbasses with no experience can rent skis & boats, putting everybody at risk, but responsible people that own them have to get a card.

People that rent are exempt

 

[Fun Times]

Has anyone here ever been or know of someone that has been asked to see their boater's card yet by LE of any sorts?

 

[RiverDave]

I wonder how they will get around renting boats & jet skis to people without cards.

Wouldn't seem fair that dumbasses with no experience can rent skis & boats, putting everybody at risk, but responsible people that own them have to get a card.

Weirdly enough they are exempt from the law

 

[RiverDave]

Do you need this to boat in the ocean as well? Would I need it as an Az resident?

 

[hman442]

Oregon has had this law for years. Seems like I had to get mine at 40, 20 years ago. Questions like "are you the lgive way boat, or 'whatever the opposite is', at night, on a navigable river, when approaching a barge, and can see the white and the green navigation lights ? Frikkin guvmnt type of question. I don't know about you, but if I'm out at night, and facing down a barge, I'm giving him the right of way, don't care what color of nav lights are visible. Seems like most of the questions were off the wall like that.

 

[FCT]

I never bothered and I was do awhile ago. I have been stopped and checked for safety equipment/ insurance and never even asked for it. Maybe because I was with my family and not 10 drunk dudes idk

 

[sirbob]

Has anyone ever been asked for the card or if you took the test while being pulled over by the cops?

Is this like needing to have an insurance card in your car?

How are they enforcing this?

 

[C-Ya]

Oregon has had this law for years. Seems like I had to get mine at 40, 20 years ago. Questions like "are you the lgive way boat, or 'whatever the opposite is', at night, on a navigable river, when approaching a barge, and can see the white and the green navigation lights ? Frikkin guvmnt type of question. I don't know about you, but if I'm out at night, and facing down a barge, I'm giving him the right of way, don't care what color of nav lights are visible. Seems like most of the questions were off the wall like that.

It’s the “give way” and “stand on” vessel. Your welcome

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Do you need this to boat in the ocean as well? Would I need it as an Az resident?

No.

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

Has anyone ever been asked for the card or if you took the test while being pulled over by the cops?

Is this like needing to have an insurance card in your car?

How are they enforcing this?

If you give them a CA ID, they may ask for it. If you give them an out of state ID.. you aren’t required to have a CA boaters card if you aren’t a CA resident.

 

[Bpracing1127]

This is the stupidest thing and as a ca resident (for now) I refuse to do it

 

[sirbob]

If you give them a CA ID, they may ask for it. If you give them an out of state ID.. you aren’t required to have a CA boaters card if you aren’t a CA resident.

I wonder how not having the boat reged in CA would effect their enforcement?

 

[LargeOrangeFont]

I wonder how not having the boat reged in CA would effect their enforcement?

If the boat is in a business name.. carry a rental agreement to yourself

The way it reads is that it has to do with your residence, not the boat residence.

I’ve never been approached and asked for the card to date, and now I don’t need it…but had to get one for my SXS

 

[4Waters]

Do you need this to boat in the ocean as well? Would I need it as an Az resident?

No.

To clarify Dave since you are an AZ resident NO you don't need the card. California residents need the card period to boat in CA waters, ocean included.

 

[Lumpy]

I got the stupid card about three years ago just to get it over with. Of all the idiotic legislation I'm
not surprised by this either. It's actually kind of discriminant...renters are not required to have the card. I'm sure if someone
took the time this could be thrown overboard by a judge. I've been stoped at Nacimiento a couple times in the last five years for no reason at all
and was never asked if I have the card.



If California is your primary place of residency, you will need a California Boater Card. If your boat is registered in a different state and your primary place of residency is California, you will still need a California Boater Card. Vacation homes do not count as a primary place of residency. State-shared waterways are patrolled and enforced by joint law enforcement agencies.



According to California law the following persons are not required to have a boater card to operate a motorized vessel on California waterways:

• A person operating a rental vessel.
• A person operating a vessel while under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older who is in possession of a California Boater Card.
• A person who is a resident of a state other than California who is temporarily operating a vessel in California for less than 60 days and meets the boating requirements, if any, of his/her state.
• A person who is a resident of a country other than the United States who is temporarily operating a vessel in California for less than 90 days and meets the boating requirements, if any, of his/her country.
• A person operating a vessel in an organized regatta or vessel race, or water ski race.
• A person who is in possession of a current commercial fishing license.
• A person who is in possession of a valid marine operator license, for the waters upon which the licensee is operating, issued by the United States Coast Guard, or who is in possession of a valid certificate issued pursuant to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended.
• A person who has successfully completed a boating course approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training Post.

 

[dribble]

So apparently I am at the age that California thinks I need a Boaters Safety Card, I guess the last 35 years of safe boating with no accidents or hiccups, is not enough to prove that I am a responsible boater.

Has anyone done it? I paid the $10 fee to the State, thinking that was the cost of the course, but NO this is California, that $10 is just the "application" fee...now I have to find a course to enroll in that is anywhere from $27 - $55...is there an easy way? a free way? a FK YOU CALIFORNIA way? LOL

There was a discussion about this here and on HB years before any bill was introduced. Surprisingly a large number of posters supported it. Also keep in mind that 34 other states had licensing requirements before California did.

 

[4Waters]

There was a discussion about this here and on HB years before any bill was introduced. Surprisingly a large number of posters supported it. Also keep in mind that 34 other states came had licensing requirements before California did.

I think the push back is renter's are exempt

 

[Lumpy]

I think the push back is renter's are exempt

Yup! Renters are the worst! Every year I see pontoon renters with kids hanging their legs off the front and other stupid shit.

 

[lbhsbz]

Do you need this to boat in the ocean as well? Would I need it as an Az resident?

No….if you get pulled over just say it’s a rental

 

[Badchoices03]

I only did it because our stupid lake requires it to get your boat sticker if you are in the age group that needs it

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

Has anyone here ever been or know of someone that has been asked to see their boater's card yet by LE of any sorts?

Well on Lake Arrowhead I guarantee they will ask you. Right after they ask for your Arrowhead specific License.

But boating in Havasu, unless you get pulled over by one of the AZ LEOs they won’t ask but a CA LEO probably would, especially if they see your Ca license (if you have one). If you’re AZ they dont ask.

 

[lbhsbz]

Pick a day with a good hangover to go through this…every fucking screen has to be up for 20 seconds…even the ones where you simply have to pick an answer to a question.

I finally got it done yesterday. I’m on a roll now…maybe I’ll even register the boat this year too. Lol

 

[done]

People that rent are exempt

Could you imagine if you could rent a car without a license, it makes sense to nobody !

 

[lbhsbz]

Could you imagine if you could rent a car without a license, it makes sense to nobody !

This is California…so……

 

[Morehart]

So, where can I hire a bikini boat instructor to suck my dick while navigating the river at 80 plus. Ahh guess it's just another money grab. I just signed up.

 

[4Waters]

So, where can I hire a bikini boat instructor to suck my dick while navigating the river at 80 plus. Ahh guess it's just another money grab. I just signed up.

That was an option?