Do you think recreational boats should be licensed?

[Island Time O25]

To me the solution to licensing seems easy. Slow sailboats are more like bicycles whereas powerboats are more like cars. And just like those they share the road yet one needs cars to be registered and drivers licensed to drive and the bikes and their don't. So the cut off can easily be made at say 7-8kts or 9-10kts. If your hull speed is below this number - no need to license. etc. Plus it would be easy to calculate. And no amount of HP will push a sailboat beyond its hull speed. Or so they say.

[zeehag]

considering that usa power boats must be licensed, this is a moot point.
now other places outside usa, why on this or any other planet should a kayak be licensed and not a power boat.
wake up, who is gong to be run over and killed at speed by a kayak. please awaken.
also , as it seems op was or is a n alleged power boater he should already know this.
harvey deskjock or billy bot willnot know these important points. therefore we NEED harvey desk jock and billy bot to control the boats, beginning with the ever at fault death wish kayakers paddling thru anchorages at a whopping 0.2 kts, as a stinkpot screams by at greater than 10kts leaving a 3-4 ft wake thru the entire mooring field and running over the kayak, which was definitively at fault.
geaux, bots.

[Island Time O25]

Without going into legal this or that, personally (and not just boats but with anything in life) whoever has the most to lose should be the one to be careful, extra vigilant, etc. Enough of this "blame the deep pockets or the bigger boat" mentality.

[surb]

Originally Posted by rwidman

I think boating would be safer and more enjoyable if everyone operating a boat was required to pass a test and obtain a license. It's not that big a burden.

Yes it is, just another BS gub'ment process. What we need is population control. To many idiots breeding.

[skipmac]

Originally Posted by surb

Yes it is, just another BS gub'ment process.

Serious or joking???

If serious consider this. Someone with a lot of money and zero boating experience or knowledge can go buy a multiengine speed boat that will do over 100 mph.

So how would you feel about putting along the river with a few of these guys headed your way? Personally I think that's totally insane. You can't drive a car 10 mph without a license. Why is it OK to drive a boat at 100 mph without one?

[boatman61]

Jet bike/power boat owner's/riders should definitely need a licence.. bludi maniac's.
Someone I knew was killed as she and her sons went diving at the Chankanaab reef, part of the National Marine Park of Cozumel, in a designated diving area that watercraft were restricted from entering.. and one son who she'd managed to push aside suffered head and chest injuries.. the rich bastard who was driving paid an employee to take the blame
So yes.. I'm in favour of anyone without proper training being busted big time if caught operating one without a licence.

[zeehag]

as i said many ways and times engine license manual operations, ie paddle or oars.. none. these laws are in place..only thing not licensed are gawdawful and unholy jetskis. they NEED licensing, as power boats. why were they excluded from engine powered vessels in many laws.....

[DotDun]

True Story:

I didn't witness this, but the marina manager, who I know/trust, told this story. He swears it's a true story.

A guy comes into the marina and buys a ski boat and trailer. The marina manager helps him hook it up to his vehicle and he drives away. The marina is located on a fresh water lake. A few days later the ski boat and owner come into the marina from the water and tie the boat to the dock. He wants to see the marina manager. He complains to the marina manager the boat won't go fast enough to pull a water skier. As the manager walks towards the boat he notices it's sitting low in the water. Then he sees the problem, the trailer was still attached to the boat. The owner had backed down the launch ramp and disconnected the trailer from his vehicle and it was hanging under the boat in the water. Pretty obvious why the boat wouldn't get on plane and pull a skier.

Not sure that would be covered on any license exam.

[zeehag]

that was good. i think we need a belly laugh button here.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by zeehag

is not the kayaker who usually knows regulations better than the powerboater, but the powerboater not knowing jack and being testosterone addled.

Let's see some evidence for this fantasy.

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by zeehag

considering that usa power boats must be licensed,.

I think you are confusing the difference between a "boat license" and a "boaters license".

[BigBoater917]

I'm glad to see the discussion is still ongoing. There will most likely never be a perfect solution. It does provide fodder for conversation in the winter, so we have that going for us.

[danielamartindm]

Anything the government touches was better off before it was touched.

[Lake-Effect]

Originally Posted by danielamartindm

Anything the government touches was better off before it was touched.

[zeehag]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

I think you are confusing the difference between a "boat license" and a "boaters license".

why did you wait to bitch me out on this, when the title of the thread is should recreational BOATS be licensed..... are you able to address ladies without snarking?? or is that merely your personality.