California Boaters Card. Your thoughts?

[Par]

http://californiaboatercard.com/about-the-card/

Know this was posted a while back but thought I would pass it along for those who may not know about it.

[mark poulson]

I took the test and passed, so that should tell you something about it. Hahaha
Seriously, for me, it was a very informative study and test. It covers lots of navigational things that I didn't know, and safe boating too.
I think anyone who buys a boat should be required to take and pass it before they can get insurance, just like a car.
I wish there were some way to require all jet ski boat operators and PWC operators to have to take and pass it, too.

[Par]

I agree.
I believe the requirement is any motorized vessel.

[WRB]

If the insurance companies offer a discount to card holders that may expedite the process.
My age group will be required to get a card after 2025....don't think I would pass the test in my mid 80's
Tom

[mark poulson]

If the insurance companies offer a discount to card holders that may expedite the process.
My age group will be required to get a card after 2025....don't think I would pass the test in my mid 80's
Tom

Some ins. companies already do offer a discount for it.
I'd go one step farther. I'd like to see insurance companies require it in order to get insurance. And for launch ramps to require it to launch.
No one should be able to operate a motorized boat with a license.

As for age, do like I did and take it early, so you have a better chance to pass. I took it two years ago, and I still remember most of the laws, but I'd have to use the online tutorial that goes with the test again, just to be sure.

[biteme]

Rental boats or jet ski's? How about backing a trailer in?

[Rod Martin]

Rental boats or jet ski's? How about backing a trailer in?

I know sometimes I get upset having to wait but I gain more in laughs from watching them than I lose having to put up with them.

Where would all the backing mishap videos come from if people learned to do it right.

[Stratos278]

Rental boats or jet ski's? How about backing a trailer in?

I know sometimes I get upset having to wait but I gain more in laughs from watching them than I lose having to put up with them.

Where would all the backing mishap videos come from if people learned to do it right.

I agree, Rod. Just spend a couple of hours at your local boat ramp, especially on a holiday weekend. The endless string of comedies of errors is well worth the price of admission.

[stratosman]

I've been operating bass boats for 28 years now. I just don't see where having an operators license is going to make operating a boat any safer. To me, operating a boat safely involves using common sense. Something that seems to be declining in society today. I see it as just another way for this state to make money. Just another tax disguised as a fee. All that being said, I will still be getting mine before long because in my mid-seventies I won't want to be testing for anything.

[db220]

I've been operating bass boats for 28 years now. I just don't see where having an operators license is going to make operating a boat any safer. To me, operating a boat safely involves using common sense. Something that seems to be declining in society today. I see it as just another way for this state to make money. Just another tax disguised as a fee. All that being said, I will still be getting mine before long because in my mid-seventies I won't want to be testing for anything.

I believe it's called education. Driving a car is common sense as well, but it helps to know the rules of the road and what the signs mean. It's unbelievable that anyone can buy a boat capable of high speeds and with no license, no education and no experience just get in it and go.
I think making sure that everyone has a basic education in boater safety is worthwhile and the cost is pretty much one boat launch so it's very reasonable.

[biteme]

I've been operating bass boats for 28 years now. I just don't see where having an operators license is going to make operating a boat any safer. To me, operating a boat safely involves using common sense. Something that seems to be declining in society today. I see it as just another way for this state to make money. Just another tax disguised as a fee. All that being said, I will still be getting mine before long because in my mid-seventies I won't want to be testing for anything.

I believe it's called education. Driving a car is common sense as well, but it helps to know the rules of the road and what the signs mean. It's unbelievable that anyone can buy a boat capable of high speeds and with no license, no education and no experience just get in it and go.
I think making sure that everyone has a basic education in boater safety is worthwhile and the cost is pretty much one boat launch so it's very reasonable.

Anyone know how many boating accidents there were last year in Cali?

[db220]

I've been operating bass boats for 28 years now. I just don't see where having an operators license is going to make operating a boat any safer. To me, operating a boat safely involves using common sense. Something that seems to be declining in society today. I see it as just another way for this state to make money. Just another tax disguised as a fee. All that being said, I will still be getting mine before long because in my mid-seventies I won't want to be testing for anything.

I believe it's called education. Driving a car is common sense as well, but it helps to know the rules of the road and what the signs mean. It's unbelievable that anyone can buy a boat capable of high speeds and with no license, no education and no experience just get in it and go.
I think making sure that everyone has a basic education in boater safety is worthwhile and the cost is pretty much one boat launch so it's very reasonable.

Anyone know how many boating accidents there were last year in Cali?

In 2016 in California there were 588 accidents, 266 injuries and 50 fatalities totaling 3.9 million dollars in damages. Here is the link
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28733

[Chad Sweitzer]

Because I recently turned 20, I will have to get the card to drive a boat by next month. Anyone who thinks this will continue to just cost 10 dollars and won't be subject to more regulation in the future is wrong. This won't make being on the water safer, this won't make wait times at the ramps any shorter. Boating and being safe on the water is about common sense, not memorizing laws.

[mark poulson]

Because I recently turned 20, I will have to get the card to drive a boat by next month. Anyone who thinks this will continue to just cost 10 dollars and won't be subject to more regulation in the future is wrong. This won't make being on the water safer, this won't make wait times at the ramps any shorter. Boating and being safe on the water is about common sense, not memorizing laws.

Chad, I agree that memorizing laws won't make boating safer. But being aware of what the responsibilities and liabilities of being a boater are will. I see too many clueless boaters zipping around the Delta without regard for that damage their wakes do to others who are also boating. To me, it seem like there are a lot of boaters who didn't have someone like your dad to teach them the right way to do things, and why.
I think the only way to insure that reckless boating is reduced is to require all boaters to learn the laws and rules of boating. And I think requiring a boater's license in order to obtain boat insurance is a good way to get boaters to learn those laws and rules.
While I don't like more rules and regulation, once there are enough boaters on the water to make following the rules a matter of safety, I think they are important. Like driving on the right side of the road.
Common sense is only common when everyone is required to learn the rules. Otherwise, too many will acquire it through making mistakes, at the expense of others.

[biteme]

I believe it's called education. Driving a car is common sense as well, but it helps to know the rules of the road and what the signs mean. It's unbelievable that anyone can buy a boat capable of high speeds and with no license, no education and no experience just get in it and go.
I think making sure that everyone has a basic education in boater safety is worthwhile and the cost is pretty much one boat launch so it's very reasonable.

Anyone know how many boating accidents there were last year in Cali?

In 2016 in California there were 588 accidents, 266 injuries and 50 fatalities totaling 3.9 million dollars in damages. Here is the link
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28733

Thanks, this will be good to look back on and see if things improve.
So if you rent a boat or have a jet ski will you need a license?

[mark poulson]

Anyone know how many boating accidents there were last year in Cali?

In 2016 in California there were 588 accidents, 266 injuries and 50 fatalities totaling 3.9 million dollars in damages. Here is the link
https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28733

Thanks, this will be good to look back on and see if things improve.
So if you rent a boat or have a jet ski will you need a license?

I sure hope so.

[Chad Sweitzer]

The Boaters Card may be beneficial for people who care about their safety and the safety of others on the water. But those aren't the people getting into accidents on the water. If you care enough to read through 3 hours of boating lectures and videos, most likely you aren't a danger to others on the water. It's the people who rent (exempt from this card) or drive their boat in an unsafe/reckless way that are getting into accidents. Those aren't the people who are going to care about this card and the classes that go with it. If someone careless with their life and the lives of others on the water, how could you assume they would care about a dry, boring 3 hour lecture on boating safety?

[mark poulson]

The Boaters Card may be beneficial for people who care about their safety and the safety of others on the water. But those aren't the people getting into accidents on the water. If you care enough to read through 3 hours of boating lectures and videos, most likely you aren't a danger to others on the water. It's the people who rent (exempt from this card) or drive their boat in an unsafe/reckless way that are getting into accidents. Those aren't the people who are going to care about this card and the classes that go with it. If someone careless with their life and the lives of others on the water, how could you assume they would care about a dry, boring 3 hour lecture on boating safety?

Chad,
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense.
I just think that requiring those people to "suffer" through those three hours may educate some who just don't know any better, and discourage others who are too lazy to do the work.
At least it will require some kind of proficiency in order to be able to drive a boat.
I think the exemption for rental boats is a big mistake. You need a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance, in order to rent a car. Why should a boat be any different?
Maybe having the insurance companies that cover marinas who rent boats require it as a condition of coverage will help. There has to be a shared responsibility in order for this to work.

[biteme]

The Boaters Card may be beneficial for people who care about their safety and the safety of others on the water. But those aren't the people getting into accidents on the water. If you care enough to read through 3 hours of boating lectures and videos, most likely you aren't a danger to others on the water. It's the people who rent (exempt from this card) or drive their boat in an unsafe/reckless way that are getting into accidents. Those aren't the people who are going to care about this card and the classes that go with it. If someone careless with their life and the lives of others on the water, how could you assume they would care about a dry, boring 3 hour lecture on boating safety?

Chad,
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense.
I just think that requiring those people to "suffer" through those three hours may educate some who just don't know any better, and discourage others who are too lazy to do the work.
At least it will require some kind of proficiency in order to be able to drive a boat.
I think the exemption for rental boats is a big mistake. You need a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance, in order to rent a car. Why should a boat be any different?
Maybe having the insurance companies that cover marinas who rent boats require it as a condition of coverage will help. There has to be a shared responsibility in order for this to work.

Whens the last time a warden pulled up to you and checked your info or fish? Out of the last 10 years its happened one time to me.

[trrydev]

So where do/can someone take the “test”? Anyone have a link or something? Thanks,


Terry

[mark poulson]

The Boaters Card may be beneficial for people who care about their safety and the safety of others on the water. But those aren't the people getting into accidents on the water. If you care enough to read through 3 hours of boating lectures and videos, most likely you aren't a danger to others on the water. It's the people who rent (exempt from this card) or drive their boat in an unsafe/reckless way that are getting into accidents. Those aren't the people who are going to care about this card and the classes that go with it. If someone careless with their life and the lives of others on the water, how could you assume they would care about a dry, boring 3 hour lecture on boating safety?

Chad,
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense.
I just think that requiring those people to "suffer" through those three hours may educate some who just don't know any better, and discourage others who are too lazy to do the work.
At least it will require some kind of proficiency in order to be able to drive a boat.
I think the exemption for rental boats is a big mistake. You need a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance, in order to rent a car. Why should a boat be any different?
Maybe having the insurance companies that cover marinas who rent boats require it as a condition of coverage will help. There has to be a shared responsibility in order for this to work.

Whens the last time a warden pulled up to you and checked your info or fish? Out of the last 10 years its happened one time to me.

I've been pulled over once in the last 2 1/2 years fishing the Delta, and half a dozen times in the last 15+ years fishing down in SoCal.
If a boater's card is required before you can launch, that pretty much covers it. And, if someone who doesn't have a card is operating someone else's boat , the boat owner should be held responsible, just like with a car.

[biteme]

Chad,
I understand what you're saying, and it makes sense.
I just think that requiring those people to "suffer" through those three hours may educate some who just don't know any better, and discourage others who are too lazy to do the work.
At least it will require some kind of proficiency in order to be able to drive a boat.
I think the exemption for rental boats is a big mistake. You need a valid driver's license, and proof of insurance, in order to rent a car. Why should a boat be any different?
Maybe having the insurance companies that cover marinas who rent boats require it as a condition of coverage will help. There has to be a shared responsibility in order for this to work.

Whens the last time a warden pulled up to you and checked your info or fish? Out of the last 10 years its happened one time to me.

I've been pulled over once in the last 2 1/2 years fishing the Delta, and half a dozen times in the last 15+ years fishing down in SoCal.
If a boater's card is required before you can launch, that pretty much covers it. And, if someone who doesn't have a card is operating someone else's boat , the boat owner should be held responsible, just like with a car.

Before you launch? How will they enforce that? They have booths set up now that you swipe a card to pay because they dont want to pay a ranger.
Good luck trying to enforce this. Im in NV anyway so no card needed even when I visit to fish Ca waterways.

[mark poulson]

Whens the last time a warden pulled up to you and checked your info or fish? Out of the last 10 years its happened one time to me.

I've been pulled over once in the last 2 1/2 years fishing the Delta, and half a dozen times in the last 15+ years fishing down in SoCal.
If a boater's card is required before you can launch, that pretty much covers it. And, if someone who doesn't have a card is operating someone else's boat , the boat owner should be held responsible, just like with a car.

Before you launch? How will they enforce that? They have booths set up now that you swipe a card to pay because they dont want to pay a ranger.
Good luck trying to enforce this. Im in NV anyway so no card needed even when I visit to fish Ca waterways.

That's why making the boating card necessary to obtain boat insurance is so important.

[Stratos278]

I've been pulled over once in the last 2 1/2 years fishing the Delta, and half a dozen times in the last 15+ years fishing down in SoCal.
If a boater's card is required before you can launch, that pretty much covers it. And, if someone who doesn't have a card is operating someone else's boat , the boat owner should be held responsible, just like with a car.

Before you launch? How will they enforce that? They have booths set up now that you swipe a card to pay because they dont want to pay a ranger.
Good luck trying to enforce this. Im in NV anyway so no card needed even when I visit to fish Ca waterways.

That's why making the boating card necessary to obtain boat insurance is so important.

The last time I checked, boat insurance is not required by the State. It is required to fish some tournament circuits or (depending on club rules) some club tournaments; it is also most likely required by financial institutions that finance boat purchases. Other than those two examples, insurers requiring a boater's card will not pressure someone into getting a card.

[DarWise]

You can take the course on the CA Boating and Waterways website. I'm sure there are others, but this is where I took my boating safety course. https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28734

As for a discount on your boat insurance, my previous insurance company did not offer a discount for completing the Boater Safety Course, but since I changed to Safeco Insurance (thanks to Ben Green Insurance) I now get a discount on my boat insurance for having completed the course.

Why would anyone who OWNS a boat not buy insurance? If you finance your boat purchase I think insurance is required for the loan.

[Otay Michael]

You can take the course on the CA Boating and Waterways website. I'm sure there are others, but this is where I took my boating safety course. https://dbw.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=28734

As for a discount on your boat insurance, my previous insurance company did not offer a discount for completing the Boater Safety Course, but since I changed to Safeco Insurance (thanks to Ben Green Insurance) I now get a discount on my boat insurance for having completed the course.

Why would anyone who OWNS a boat not buy insurance? If you finance your boat purchase I think insurance is required for the loan.

Wow, pretty much A-Z of EVERYTHING! Took a quick looksey and man, I'll be pretty smart when I've read it all. Just one page hit me, there are rules about passing and horn blasts that mean things I never knew about.

[Par]

I took the test too.
Covered a lot!
I think there should have been a lot more emphasis on dock and ramp etiquette! : )

[hydro]

Perhaps these same politicians who passed the Boater's safety card law should have to take a test about the US Constitution , Representative style of Government , and ethics before they can get their "California Law Makers card" allowing them to run for office and later create laws for the rest of us to abide by .

[semipro]

Perhaps these same politicians who passed the Boater's safety card law should have to take a test about the US Constitution , Representative style of Government , and ethics before they can get their "California Law Makers card" allowing them to run for office and later create laws for the rest of us to abide by .

I would vote for that!

[mark poulson]

Perhaps these same politicians who passed the Boater's safety card law should have to take a test about the US Constitution , Representative style of Government , and ethics before they can get their "California Law Makers card" allowing them to run for office and later create laws for the rest of us to abide by .

I agree that they should be held to the same standards they hold us to.
If they want to drug test us, they should have to be drug tested, too.

[rico]

I see there are 60 questions on the test. Does anyone know how many you can miss and still pass?

Found the answer, you need 48 right to pass.

[rico]

I don't need to take it for a couple of years, but I checked with my insurance company and they offer a discount for a completed class so I might as well take it now since it's free. No telling what's going to happen in two years

[FISHLIP WASHINTON]

Pretty long
60 quiz question 10 per section.6 sections

60 exam question at end

Just another way California can take your money
Wont make dumb people smarter just aware
Took the class to get it over with
Next how to fish classes