California Boaters cards

[ltbaney1]

got mine a year ago, its BS but i did get a break on my insurance for it. never been asked for it.

 

[DWC]

Yup, told them I don't need it yet because I was born in '76, this was a few years ago.

Do you have CF numbers?

 

[Familyties]

Too old, boat registered in AZ, AZ id, boat never leaves Havasu

 

[Ziggy]

I don’t need one, licensed capt.. Wife has one. But don’t worry you can rent boats and jet ski’s with out one.

In Bora-Bora I couldn't rent anything with more than 5hp without a "Captains" license. Would this "boaters" card have sufficed?IDK, they were quite adamant about the Captain lingo. Lol, I could almost swim faster than the 5hp pontoon we rented. Damn prop couldn't have been barely 4 or 5 inches in diameter

 

[4Waters]

Do you have CF numbers?

Yeah, you had to get it by a certain year based on your age, I waited until I had to get it.

 

[4Waters]

I had to screen shot a few of the pages for "future reference"

Took pics of some screens as well, I did mine on a laptop

 

[Ziggy]

Yeah, you had to get it by a certain year based on your age, I waited until I had to get it

Californians have to have it by 2025 regardless of age.

 

[4Waters]

Californians have to have it by 2025 regardless of age.

Yeah I know. I needed mine in 21

 

[Taboma]

I’ll probably get lambasted for this, but I think it’s a good idea that you must have one in CA.

Before I retired I was a Deputy Sheriff on the patrol boat at Castaic and Pyramid Lakes. You wouldn’t believe the idiots that showed up there and didn’t have a clue on how to operate a boat or PWC, or know the lake rules as far as direction of travel, gotta have a life vest on when you’re operating your PWC, etc. There were family’s of 10 people that would show up with one PWC and create havoc. Pyramid specifically because the jet skis were mixed in with the boats. The lake would be at full capacity with 150 vessels on the water and many of the PWC operators didn’t speak English so there was no way to explain the rules of the road to them. The Boater Safety Card requirement enabled us to terminate their voyage and make them remove their vessel from the water before they killed someone or themselves.

I see boating stupidity at Lake Havasu too, but it’s not so critical because it’s a huge lake and a lot of room for error.

This may seem harsh but when you’ve handled a few fatal boating accidents and seen family‘s go home without their boat and a couple family members, you look at things differently.

I believe both the bill and license would be better received and be viewed as more credible if the boat and PWC rentals weren't exempted.
As it is, most boaters consider the process only marginally effective by excluding the potentially most dangerous segment on the water.

 

[Taboma]

In Bora-Bora I couldn't rent anything with more than 5hp without a "Captains" license. Would this "boaters" card have sufficed?IDK, they were quite adamant about the Captain lingo. Lol, I could almost swim faster than the 5hp pontoon we rented. Damn prop couldn't have been barely 4 or 5 inches in diameter

Bet you didn't want to chance the strength of that kicker against the powerful tidal influence by getting close to the reef entrance
I recall when taking out one of the resorts Hobie Cats when we were there in '95, how intimidating that entrance felt as we sailed past, and how small we felt in comparison when staring out to the vastness that lie beyond.

We'd fought that tidal surge on Moorea a few days earlier as we tried to paddle our outrigger canoe back from a nearby Motu. I was beginning to wonder if we were going to miss our flight, so got out and was able to walk it and make better progress across a shallow reef area. All that tidal water packs a serious punch as it's exiting through those openings in the reef wall. !!!!

 

[C-Ya]

Just some tips for the lurkers…….

For those of you that have trouble remembering Port from Starboard. Remember this phrase……

”We have no Port wine left” Port wine is also Red, the same color as your Port navigation light. Port is also the left side of your boat.

*********

Red Right Return

This means that the Red chanel marker will be to the right of your vessel when heading back to the port.

Red Red Alls Good Ahead

This is opposite of the above. It applies to a vessel returning to port in the Southern Hemisphere. What this means is Red Right Return is not absolute. The only area in which Red Red Alls Good Ahead applies to the Northern Hemisphere is the waters around The United Kingdom.

*********

Despite popular belief, a sailboat does not have the right of way above all other vessels. That is a myth.

***********

I am adding this next bit of practical advice because I see so many people screw this up!

When you want to parallel park your boat to a dock, but are unsure which way to turn your steering wheel, when you put the boat into reverse, say this to yourself as you are putting boat into reverse.

”now I want to crash into dock” . This will remind you to turn your steering wheel like you were driving forward and wanted to turn into dock, only now that your boat is in reverse, it will bring the transom to the dock.

Ideal way…… approach dock at 45 degree angle. Go no faster than you care to hit dock. Just before your bow makes contact with dock, put boat in reverse and turn steering wheel INTO dock, while saying the above statement. You will look like a pro.

*******

Other practical advice…….

If you need to turn your boat around in a tight situation. It will make a tighter turn in reverse than it will in forward.

Thats all I can think about off the top of my head.

*********

If any of you have any questions, but are too nervous to post the question for fear of getting blasted or shamed, PM Me. Your question and identity will be kept confidential. No question is too stupid. I am happy to help.

 

[4Waters]

Just some tips for the lurkers…….

For those of you that have trouble remembering Port from Starboard. Remember this phrase……

”We have no Port wine left” Port wine is also Red, the same color as your Port navigation light.

*********

Red Right Return

This means that the Red chanel marker will be to the right of your vessel when heading back to the port.

Red Red Alls Good Ahead

This is opposite of the above. It applies to a vessel returning to port in the Southern Hemisphere. What this means is Red Right Return is not absolute. The only area in which Red Red Alls Good Ahead applies to the Northern Hemisphere is the waters around The United Kingdom.

*********

Despite popular belief, a sailboat does not have the right of way above all other vessels. That is a myth.

***********

I am adding this next bit of practical advice because I see so many people screw this up!

When you want to parallel park your boat to a dock, but are unsure which way to turn your steering wheel, when you put the boat into reverse, say this to yourself as you are putting boat into reverse.

”now I want to crash into dock” . This will remind you to turn your steering wheel like you were driving forward and wanted to turn into dock, only now that your boat is in reverse, it will bring the transom to the dock.

Ideal way…… approach dock at 45 degree angle. Go no faster than you care to hit dock. Just before your bow makes contact with dock, put boat in reverse and turn steering wheel INTO dock, while saying the above statement. You will look like a pro.

*******

Other practical advice…….

If you need to turn your boat around in a tight situation. It will make a tighter turn in reverse than it will in forward.

Thats all I can think about off the top of my head.

*********

If any of you have any questions, but are too nervous to post the question for fear of getting blasted or shamed, PM Me. Your question and identity will be kept confidential. No question is too stupid. I am happy to help.

I always remembered it by both port and left are 4 letter words

 

[SPFRONTMAN]

Who’s got them.

Had mine for over 15+ years

 

[coolchange]

I always remembered it by both port and left are 4 letter words

Yes, on the port and left four letter words, ad for starboard, green, and right are five letter words.

 

[Dkahnjob]

I got mine in 2018, actually learned some stuff that I didn't know while taking the on line course. I am 76 and have been boating for over 62 years.

 

[Taboma]

Just some tips for the lurkers…….

For those of you that have trouble remembering Port from Starboard. Remember this phrase……

”We have no Port wine left” Port wine is also Red, the same color as your Port navigation light. Port is also the left side of your boat.

*********

Red Right Return

This means that the Red chanel marker will be to the right of your vessel when heading back to the port.

Red Red Alls Good Ahead

This is opposite of the above. It applies to a vessel returning to port in the Southern Hemisphere. What this means is Red Right Return is not absolute. The only area in which Red Red Alls Good Ahead applies to the Northern Hemisphere is the waters around The United Kingdom.

*********

Despite popular belief, a sailboat does not have the right of way above all other vessels. That is a myth.

***********

I am adding this next bit of practical advice because I see so many people screw this up!

When you want to parallel park your boat to a dock, but are unsure which way to turn your steering wheel, when you put the boat into reverse, say this to yourself as you are putting boat into reverse.

”now I want to crash into dock” . This will remind you to turn your steering wheel like you were driving forward and wanted to turn into dock, only now that your boat is in reverse, it will bring the transom to the dock.

Ideal way…… approach dock at 45 degree angle. Go no faster than you care to hit dock. Just before your bow makes contact with dock, put boat in reverse and turn steering wheel INTO dock, while saying the above statement. You will look like a pro.

*******

Other practical advice…….

If you need to turn your boat around in a tight situation. It will make a tighter turn in reverse than it will in forward.

Thats all I can think about off the top of my head.

*********

If any of you have any questions, but are too nervous to post the question for fear of getting blasted or shamed, PM Me. Your question and identity will be kept confidential. No question is too stupid. I am happy to help.

Guess it was old school and before my much younger self knew anything about wine.
The color with the fewer number of letters, matched the name of the side with the fewer number of letters.

Red Right return kinda goes wonkers on the Intercoastal waterway when clockwise becomes important and the official "Return", then yellow triangles and squares make an appearance just to keep it entertaining.

 

[done]

I’ll probably get lambasted for this, but I think it’s a good idea that you must have one in CA.

Before I retired I was a Deputy Sheriff on the patrol boat at Castaic and Pyramid Lakes. You wouldn’t believe the idiots that showed up there and didn’t have a clue on how to operate a boat or PWC, or know the lake rules as far as direction of travel, gotta have a life vest on when you’re operating your PWC, etc. There were family’s of 10 people that would show up with one PWC and create havoc. Pyramid specifically because the jet skis were mixed in with the boats. The lake would be at full capacity with 150 vessels on the water and many of the PWC operators didn’t speak English so there was no way to explain the rules of the road to them. The Boater Safety Card requirement enabled us to terminate their voyage and make them remove their vessel from the water before they killed someone or themselves.

I see boating stupidity at Lake Havasu too, but it’s not so critical because it’s a huge lake and a lot of room for error.

This may seem harsh but when you’ve handled a few fatal boating accidents and seen family‘s go home without their boat and a couple family members, you look at things differently.

The Law is stupid if you let people still rent boats and Personal watercraft with no experience or Lic. That makes sense to who I Don't Know !

 

[C-Ya]

Red Right return kinda goes wonkers on the Intercoastal waterway when clockwise becomes important and the official "Return", then yellow triangles and squares make an appearance just to keep it entertaining.

So here is how I remember the above……..

RENT-COGS

It’s a stupid word with a lot of meaning. Pretend the word rent is red and cogs is green. Here is what it stands for:

In order to understand the chanel markers for the intracoastal waterway, here is the breakdown.

R Red color
E. It will be an Even number
N. Will have a Nun buoy
T. Sign will be a triangle

C. Will have a Can buoy
O. It will be an Odd number
G. Green color
S. Sign will be square

 

[Taboma]

So here is how I remember the above……..

RENT-COGS

It’s a stupid word with a lot of meaning. Pretend the word rent is red and cogs is green. Here is what it stands for:

In order to understand the chanel markers for the intracoastal waterway, here is the breakdown.

R Red color
E. It will be an Even number
N. Will have a Nun buoy
T. Sign will be a triangle

C. Will have a Can buoy
O. It will be an Odd number
G. Green color
S. Sign will be squareWhat mnemonic assistance do you offer millennials and Zoomers for remember which rotational direction is Clockwise ??

Good one
What mnemonic technique do you offer millennials and zoomers for remembering which rotational direction is clockwise ?? Apparently it's of importance when navigating the ICW in conjunction with the rent-cogs

 

[RichL]

I took the class with my daughter as well. She missed the cutoff date by 12 days. We took it when she was 17. She just turned 42. I should probably mention we're in Ohio.

 

[Javajoe]

Wife and I took the free BoatUS course. Think it’s like an 8 hour course.
I wonder what percentage of people who boat on Lake Havasu don’t have boat insurance since it’s not required

 

[PlanB]

Just figured out I was a year overdue reading this thread. I am about 3/4 of the way through right now. It's not bad just time consuming. I did learn it's illegal to operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise even with nav lights. I have seen a handful of them on the water at night with nav lights installed.

 

[FCT]

I should have had mine awhile ago but still never did it.

 

[Singleton]

In Bora-Bora I couldn't rent anything with more than 5hp without a "Captains" license. Would this "boaters" card have sufficed?IDK, they were quite adamant about the Captain lingo. Lol, I could almost swim faster than the 5hp pontoon we rented. Damn prop couldn't have been barely 4 or 5 inches in diameter

Yet the Jet Ski we rented did not require any ID.
Then again that was back in 2009

 

[havasu5150]

If one is an AZ resident,, is it required if I wanted to operate a vessel on say.....Big Bear? Also I've seen comments on here about getting the card 15 - 20 years ago. The CA Boater card requirement didn't start until 2018

 

[EPL]

I've had mine for years !

 

[DarkHorseRacing]

If one is an AZ resident,, is it required if I wanted to operate a vessel on say.....Big Bear? Also I've seen comments on here about getting the card 15 - 20 years ago. The CA Boater card requirement didn't start until 2018

I believe there is a 90 day exemption for out of state drivers operating a boat on CA waters. For example driving in a race or some other usage that is for a short duration.

However if your state has its own boating card (which I don’t believe AZ does, but could apply to Nevada, etc), I think you’d have to present it along with your out of state license if stopped by a LEO.

 

[Badchoices03]

I should have had mine awhile ago but still never did it.

You didnt have a boat on CL? They made me show mine last year when I did my inspection...

 

[PlanB]

I just completed the course and test. It's pretty easy, and if you wanted to cheat it's really easy to search answers to the questions on the certification test. I am sure a lot of people just skip through to the test and do just that.

 

[hallett21]

I just completed the course and test. It's pretty easy, and if you wanted to cheat it's really easy to search answers to the questions on the certification test. I am sure a lot of people just skip through to the test and do just that.

I did mine on the couch over a week or so at night. Do I agree with it being the law? Absolutely not.

But you never stop learning and there’s some informative stuff.

My mom, wife and brother do not have one and drive the boat lol.

 

[dezrtracer]

I got one a couple years ago . Learned a couple of things but , not much since I've been driving boats since 1971 . Only got it to help pay for the good weather here .

 

[4Waters]

I just completed the course and test. It's pretty easy, and if you wanted to cheat it's really easy to search answers to the questions on the certification test. I am sure a lot of people just skip through to the test and do just that.

You can't skip ahead

 

[PlanB]

You can't skip ahead

I did not do it, but the site I used had a feature for an extra $15.00 that took the timer off of the screen. You would still have to go through all the screens, but it would be a lot faster. When the offer popped up it said you could get through the course in 2 hours instead of 5-6.

 

[4Waters]

I did not do it, but the site I used had a feature for an extra $15.00 that took the timer off of the screen. You would still have to go through all the screens, but it would be a lot faster. When the offer popped up it said you could get through the course in 2 hours instead of 5-6.

I didn't have that option, I just want to skip sections that I knew, while those sections were running the video I was watching TV or something, sections I didn't know I paid attention

 

[PlanB]

I didn't have that option, I just want to skip sections that I knew, while those sections were running the video I was watching TV or something, sections I didn't know I paid attention

I actually skipped most of the videos and just read the material. Time consuming but there was some interesting stuff.

 

[C-Ya]

I did not do it, but the site I used had a feature for an extra $15.00 that took the timer off of the screen. You would still have to go through all the screens, but it would be a lot faster. When the offer popped up it said you could get through the course in 2 hours instead of 5-6.

They don’t have that option for when renewing a Masters Maritime License. I am up for renewal, and I would pay$150 or more to skip ahead. lol

 

[4Waters]

I actually skipped most of the videos and just read the material. Time consuming but there was some interesting stuff.

I couldn't skip anything

 

[FCT]

You didnt have a boat on CL? They made me show mine last year when I did my inspection...

I had a few different boats over the years for CL and never had to show it. I believe they made my wife do some safety test but it wasn’t an actual boater card. I never dealt with registering stuff.