Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

[Toddavid]

Sorry if this is the wrong forum, but it looks like members cannot start threads in the Boating Safety forum.

I am new to boating, about to purchase my first power boat with a 300hp engine.

I am a PA resident.

From what I can tell, there is no such thing as a "boating license" in this state, akin to a driver's license for a car.

The only "licensing" that seems to be required is the passing of a generic Boating Safety Education Course. But if I was born before Jan 1, 1982, I don't even need to do that to be legal (unless I want to operate a personal watercraft, which I assume is like a Jetski).

http://fishandboat.com/98boatco.htm

Boating Safety Education Certificates are required:
? To operate a personal watercraft
? For persons born on or after January 1, 1982, to operate boats powered by motors greater than 25 horsepower.


Now, to be perfectly clear, I am planning on taking a USCG approved boating course.

But, until I do, am I legal to operate my boat in PA without doing any safety course of licensing exam? I only ask this for the scenario where I want to go out boating with a certified friend and then take the wheel for a few minutes. If I do that, it seems that I am not doing anything illegal?

How about if I do that in other states besides PA?

Thanks in advance for clarification. Online resources are confusing.

Todd

 

[oldjeep]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Each state has its own requirements. For example
In MN there is no boater cert required for adults regardless of when you were born - kids need one
In WI if you were born before 1990 then there is no boater cert required to operate a boat

 

[roscoe]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Now, to be perfectly clear, I am planning on taking a USCG approved boating course.

But, until I do, am I legal to operate my boat in PA without doing any safety course of licensing exam? I only ask this for the scenario where I want to go out boating with a certified friend and then take the wheel for a few minutes. If I do that, it seems that I am not doing anything illegal?

How about if I do that in other states besides PA?

Thanks in advance for clarification. Online resources are confusing.

Todd

Can't answer that, as you didn't tell us when you were born.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Can't answer that, as you didn't tell us when you were born.

LOL, you are correct, sir. That was not a trick question.


I was born before Jan 1, 1982.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Then it appears you may be legal to drive the boat.


Some states will honor the boating laws of your state of residents, but many will not.


Always check with the laws of the jurisdiction you are boating in.

Thats a lot of boat/power, please be careful.

Remember, it has no brakes, and can kill. Good luck with the new boat.

 

[BlueLightSpecial]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Since you were born before Jan. 1, 1982, you can legally operate a powerboat greater than 25hp, with out boaters safety. I would still highly recomend taking the safety course. In the meantime, remember no wake within 100 ft of a dock, shoreline, swimmers or anchored boat. Sail boats have the right of way. No wake is idle speed. Any faster creates a wake, worse than being on plane. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you can take the boaters safety course for free, at the Pittsburgh Boat show in January. Saves you like $50, plus you have free admission to the show. I didn't need boater safety, but I took it, and learned alot.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Yep, no course REQUIRED because of your age in PA. I would recommend you take either the USCG or the PA Boaters Safety Course. You will learn a lot. I have done the USCG and will be doing the PA Boaters with my daughter very soon.

 

[Toddavid]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

Since you were born before Jan. 1, 1982, you can legally operate a powerboat greater than 25hp, with out boaters safety. I would still highly recomend taking the safety course. In the meantime, remember no wake within 100 ft of a dock, shoreline, swimmers or anchored boat. Sail boats have the right of way. No wake is idle speed. Any faster creates a wake, worse than being on plane. If you are in the Pittsburgh area, you can take the boaters safety course for free, at the Pittsburgh Boat show in January. Saves you like $50, plus you have free admission to the show. I didn't need boater safety, but I took it, and learned alot.

I am located on the other side of the state.

Seems that this may be a freebie course:

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/Pennsylvania.asp

Funny you mention the no wake rule, as when I went out with a buddy on his boat a few weeks ago, we got "pulled over" by a NJ state trooper on the Delaware River for creating a wake by the docks in downtown Philadelphia. The trooper immediately asked for my buddy's boating safety certificate, which he had since he took the NJ course. He took the NJ course even though he is a PA resident because the NJ course must be done in person and is very strict, and tends to get respect from the authorities. Since he was let off with a warning, I suppose that may hold true.

But since the trooper asked for his boating safety cert immediately, I wonder what would have happened if he didn't have one at all? Just because he asked does not mean my buddy was *required* to have one? And we were well on the PA side of the river, if that makes any difference.

Anyway, it got my attention. I planned on doing a course anyway, but this whole interaction was confusing, especially after reading online that a cert is not required in PA...

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities



If your friend was old enough, there would have been no repercussions because he did not have a certificate, that is, if you were indeed on the PA side. Regs are probably a bit different in N.J. And I wonder why N.J. water police would stop you on the PA side of the river. Where is the boar registered?

Understand: Even though you are old enough to drive a boat, ALL persons who operate a personal watercraft in PA (jetski, etc) are REQUIRED to posses a certificate. (funny--I have a boat smaller than a jetski so I am not required to posses a certificate when in it Even though it is only 10 feet long and is almost as fast as jetskis, it is a boat, not a personal watercraft under the law.)

You can go online with the Fish and Game Commission and take the Pennsylvania course for 15 dollars. The state will issue you a certificate for an additional 2 bucks if you score 80 or above.

This is good because you can print out your certificate immediately. You can take a practice test first. The whole thing takes about 1/2 hour and you will be good to go on anything.

I personally recommend taking the CG Auxiliary course and test though. Couple of nights instruction once a week, Good fellowship, a lot of fun, and the course goes much deeper than anything online. Way better.

I took and passed the course in my 20s because I had a couple of Saturday nights to kill. I lost my certificate so I recently did the online test.

 

[Jlawsen]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

I'm a big advocate and promoter of the BoatUs Free Boating Safety course. I think everyone should take it and definitely a person that's new to boating. This test is USCG approved and can even be used to meet the minimum requirements for some USCG Officer Licenses. The test is state specifice which means that if you take the course, you'll have your answer. The minimum amount of time required to take the test is 3-1/2 hours but most people spread it out and do it at their leasure. I actually think it's better to spread it out because it lets you know if you're retaining the info or not.

When you pass the final exam you get a certificate with a registration number that can be used for insurance reductions so even if you don't need it, it has value beyond just the knowledge you'll gain and that which you will pass on to others.

Check it out at www.boatus.com

 

[Thalasso]

Re: Pennsylvania Boating Legalities

LOL, you are correct, sir. That was not a trick question.


I was born before Jan 1, 1982.

You were born before Jan 1 1982 so you will not need to be certified.You would have to be certified for a PWC. You even state the law in your post. Take the power squadron course. It's really good. They will even teach you how to plot courses on a chart. (a lost art)