ElijahH Posted January 17, 2022 Posted January 17, 2022 I'm in Ohio and in order to operate a boat over 10hp, if you're born after 1982, you have to get a boating license. Several online courses claim they are state approved, but are free. Others cost like $30. What's the deal? Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 17, 2022 Super User Posted January 17, 2022 From the horse's mouth: ORC 1547.05 Completing boating course as prerequisite to licensing; exception No person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower unless the operator has received a certificate for successful completion of either of the following: A boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA); A proficiency examination approved by the Ohio Division of Watercraft. Quote
ElijahH Posted January 17, 2022 Author Posted January 17, 2022 14 minutes ago, Deleted account said: From the horse's mouth: ORC 1547.05 Completing boating course as prerequisite to licensing; exception No person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate a powercraft powered by more than 10 horsepower unless the operator has received a certificate for successful completion of either of the following: A boating course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA); A proficiency examination approved by the Ohio Division of Watercraft. Yes I've read that section. My question is the difference between courses? Why do some charge and others don't? Should I avoid free ones? Or are the paid ones just overpriced? Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 17, 2022 Super User Posted January 17, 2022 8 minutes ago, ElijahH said: Yes I've read that section. My question is the difference between courses? Why do some charge and others don't? Should I avoid free ones? Or are the paid ones just overpriced? I see nothing about tuition being a requirement... Section 1547.05 | Completing boating course as prerequisite to licensing; exception. Ohio Revised Code Title 15 Conservation of Natural Resources Chapter 1547 Watercraft And Waterways Effective: September 14, 2016 Latest Legislation: Senate Bill 293 - 131st General Assembly PDF: Download Authenticated PDF (A) Except as provided in division (B) of this section, no person born on or after January 1, 1982, shall operate on the waters in this state a powercraft powered by more than ten horsepower, unless the operator successfully has completed either a safe boater course approved by the national association of state boating law administrators or a proctored or nonproctored proficiency examination that tests knowledge of information included in the curriculum of such a course, and has received a certificate as evidence of successful completion of the course or examination. (B) Division (A) of this section does not apply to an individual who possesses valid merchant mariner credentials issued by the United States coast guard in accordance with 46 C.F.R. 10.109 with at least one endorsement of master or operator as defined in 46 C.F.R. 10.107. Such an individual, while operating any recreational vessel on the waters in this state, shall carry onboard documentation of the merchant mariner credentials and required endorsements and shall present the documentation to a natural resources officer or law enforcement officer upon request. (C) No person shall permit a powercraft to be operated on the waters in this state in violation of division (A) of this section. Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 17, 2022 Global Moderator Posted January 17, 2022 Come to Michigan enroll in the 6th grade and you’ll get it for free from the school. At least you did when I was in 6th grade. ? 1 Quote
Super User A-Jay Posted January 17, 2022 Super User Posted January 17, 2022 11 minutes ago, 12poundbass said: Come to Michigan enroll in the 6th grade and you’ll get it for free from the school. At least you did when I was in 6th grade. ? Both times ? (sorry my friend) A-Jay 1 8 Quote
ElijahH Posted January 17, 2022 Author Posted January 17, 2022 15 minutes ago, 12poundbass said: Come to Michigan enroll in the 6th grade and you’ll get it for free from the school. At least you did when I was in 6th grade. ? ? That's pretty awesome. Quote
Global Moderator 12poundbass Posted January 17, 2022 Global Moderator Posted January 17, 2022 1 hour ago, A-Jay said: Both times ? (sorry my friend) A-Jay Eye helpd teech the corse en 6/2th grade. 6 Quote
schplurg Posted January 18, 2022 Posted January 18, 2022 8 hours ago, ElijahH said: Yes I've read that section. My question is the difference between courses? Why do some charge and others don't? Should I avoid free ones? Or are the paid ones just overpriced? Question still not answered I see, so I'd say take the free one and get your license. You can always pay for another one if you feel you need to. Better yet, go out boating with some experienced boat operators before and after you get legal. You'll learn more that way. And yay for your state requiring this! 1 Quote
ElijahH Posted January 18, 2022 Author Posted January 18, 2022 1 minute ago, schplurg said: Question still not answered I see, so I'd say take the free one and get your license. You can always pay for another one if you feel you need to. Better yet, go out boating with some experienced boat operators before/after you get legal. You'll learn more that way. And yay for your state requiring this! Appreciate your response. I've had quite a bit of experience with friends boats, but recently got my own and I'm trying to get everything legal before spring. I'll give a free course a shot ? 1 Quote
schplurg Posted January 18, 2022 Posted January 18, 2022 3 minutes ago, ElijahH said: Appreciate your response. I've had quite a bit of experience with friends boats, but recently got my own and I'm trying to get everything legal before spring. I'll give a free course a shot ? I haven't driven a boat in a long time, maybe I'll take a free course too just for fun. Random story: Been in boats all my life and my Dad used to manufacture them. I've never actually taken a course come to think of it. One day I'll never forget is getting my Dad's small tri-hull family boat into a single slip in bad wind at Lake Shasta. There were big choppy waves rocking the dock and the boat, and the wind was blowing the boat really hard. He needed one of us to get out onto the dock and catch the boat as I recall for whatever reason. I said, "Go for it I can park the boat". I think I was 13 at the time. He looked at me for a sec, then said, "Okay", and he jumped out as the boat blew near the dock. I backed away, came at the dock at a crazy angle pointing far away from the slip at first. I then gauged the wind and current and slipped it right in there like I knew what I was doing, first try. My Dad was so proud! Looking back I'm surprised he let me do it haha. I'd trailered and even launched boats by then but this was crazy. Ya I think I will take a course what the heck. 1 Quote
Crankin4Bass Posted January 18, 2022 Posted January 18, 2022 I don't know about Ohio, but here in Massachusetts, I took a course taught by the local chapter of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. It was amazing how much I learned. It was an all day in person class with 5 instructors. After the class, we took a test and if you passed you received a boater safety card. If you have the opportunity to take a class from the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, I would say go for that. I believe their primary mission is to promote recreation boater safety. After seeing how some people operate their boats, I wish it was a requirement to buy a boat! 2 Quote
FishinBuck07 Posted January 18, 2022 Posted January 18, 2022 The free course should be all you need as long as it is approved by the ODNR. I took the test in college, I was born before 82 but it was a requirement for my degree. 1 Quote
Super User Jigfishn10 Posted January 19, 2022 Super User Posted January 19, 2022 On 1/17/2022 at 3:34 PM, A-Jay said: Both times ? (sorry my friend) A-Jay That just ain't right....? 1 Quote
Craig P Posted January 19, 2022 Posted January 19, 2022 Just read the fine print to make sure that the proof docs are free as well. They could charge you for that. I took the NASBLA course 7-8 years ago and paid I believe $35 but it included a pretty nice course layout / videos and they mailed me a plastic credit card style license. 1 Quote
Super User TOXIC Posted January 19, 2022 Super User Posted January 19, 2022 We are required to have the safety course here in Virginia and believe me, they ask for it. The Boat US course is free and the plastic card is an up charge but we’ll worth it. The pics are of the front and back of my card. 1 Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 19, 2022 Super User Posted January 19, 2022 On 1/18/2022 at 12:03 AM, ElijahH said: I've had quite a bit of experience with friends boats Without the required operator's training and documentation?... Quote
ElijahH Posted January 19, 2022 Author Posted January 19, 2022 29 minutes ago, Deleted account said: Without the required operator's training and documentation?... Before answering, let me contact my attorney ? Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 19, 2022 Super User Posted January 19, 2022 26 minutes ago, ElijahH said: Before answering, let me contact my attorney ? Jr?... Quote
ElijahH Posted January 19, 2022 Author Posted January 19, 2022 1 hour ago, Deleted account said: Without the required operator's training and documentation?... Not solo of course, simply being taught the basics while out with them. Quote
Super User Deleted account Posted January 19, 2022 Super User Posted January 19, 2022 14 minutes ago, ElijahH said: Not solo of course, simply being taught the basics while out with them. Of course.... Quote
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