For All Kalifornia Boaters

[Crab Pot]

Well the Brain Trust under the Dome in Sacramento figured out another way to separate us from our money.

If you own a boat and are 60 or younger, you'll need a Kalifornia Boater ID card.

Can't wait till I retire and get out of this state.

Steve

As of Jan. 1, 2024, a California Boater Card is required to be carried by motorized boat operators 60 years of age and younger. By 2025, all operators of motorized boats will be required to carry a California Boater Card, regardless of age. The California Boater Card is proof of successful completion of an approved boating safety course. The best part is, you can obtain your lifetime card for only $10 right now! To see the complete list of approved courses and obtain your California Boater Card, visit www.californiaboatercard.com today!

[Keta]

Oregon has required these for over 20 years but they were free when I got mine.  I can't remember how much my BC one was.

[Crab Pot]

I don't have an issue with the training but it shouldn't cost a penny.

[Keta]

Yup, lots of uneducated idiots on the water.

[MarkT]

How may idiots in Klownifornia have $10. This won't solve anything.

[Keta]

It will expose them to the navigation rules, but look at the number of idiots on the roads.

[foakes]

I took a Coast Guard course around 30+ years ago.

It covered safety, emergencies, navigation, weather, communication, laws, right of ways, markers, and required gear & equipment.  Think it was 6 or 10 weeks.

Passed a test —- and got a Coast Guard certification card.

Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Best, Fred

[jurelometer]

The California law enacted to require boater cards actually specifies that the fees collected cannnot exceed the cost of the program.  Only the people who want to drive a boat have to pay:

From: https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB941

678.3. (a) (1) The division shall determine the fees required under this section in amounts sufficient to cover the reasonable costs of the development, establishment, and operation of the program. The fees shall not exceed those costs.

(2) The division shall charge a fee not to exceed thirty dollars ($30) for the initial vessel operator card issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 678.


The other options not chosen would have been to have the majority of California taxpayers who are not recreational boaters fully subsidize the education of the few that are, or continue to let clueless knuckleheads drive boats around without any boating knowledge whatsoever.

Almost all states have a proof of boater education requirement, although many limit it to younger folk.

Best wishes on your out of state retirement. 

-J

[oldmanjoe]

I took a Coast Guard course around 30+ years ago.

It covered safety, emergencies, navigation, weather, communication, laws, right of ways, markers, and required gear & equipment.  Think it was 6 or 10 weeks.

Passed a test —- and got a Coast Guard certification card.

Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Best, Fred

OK I feel a little fishy and will bite ..    Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

[Hardy Boy]

My BC card was free. You only pay for the course here if you decide to take one. The card is good for life.

Todd

[David Hall]

had mine now for a number of years. I just thought taking a boater safety class was a good idea. I had already aged out, I didn't even need to take the course. I guarantee it will not make anyone more unsafe than they already are. 

[Midway Tommy]

I took a Coast Guard course around 30+ years ago.

It covered safety, emergencies, navigation, weather, communication, laws, right of ways, markers, and required gear & equipment.  Think it was 6 or 10 weeks.

Passed a test —- and got a Coast Guard certification card.

Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Best, Fred

OK I feel a little fishy and will bite ..    Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure that one out, too. 

[Rancanfish]

Oregon does require a class now. Online cost was like $60+ and took hours to complete. And you have to carry the card. 

Governmental fees are nothing more than disguised taxes, going up every year.

[Keta]

Oregon does not miss a chance to get into our pockets.

[Keta]

I took a Coast Guard course around 30+ years ago.

It covered safety, emergencies, navigation, weather, communication, laws, right of ways, markers, and required gear & equipment.  Think it was 6 or 10 weeks.

Passed a test —- and got a Coast Guard certification card.

Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Best, Fred

OK I feel a little fishy and will bite ..    Wife gets mad when we enter Wal-Mart or a grocery store —-

I just pull the card out of my wallet, flash it at the doors —- and they open automatically.

Yeah, I'm trying to figure that one out, too. 

Look at like with a boat operators card and $5.00 you can get a cup of coffee at Starbucks.