California Boater Education Courses Get Your California Boater Card
Update: Every boater and personal watercraft driver will need a California Boater Card before they hit the waterways in 2025.
This summer,(2019) any boat or personal watercraft operator 25-and-under must carry a boater card before getting behind the wheel.The Division of Boating and Waterways also offers a free online course with a downloadable study guide. The boater card has a $10 fee and is good for life.
The California Boater Card is being phased in by age, with every operator required to have one by 2025.
Jan. 1, 2018 – Persons 20 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2019 – Persons 25 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2020 – Persons 35 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2021 – Persons 40 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2022 – Persons 45 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2023 – Persons 50 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2024 – Persons 60 years of age or younger
Jan. 1, 2025 – All persons regardless of age
Welcome to the wonderful world of boating. It’s been about 7 years since I’ve owned a boat. I really missed cruising around the water; boating, tubing, skiing, wake boarding and above all FISHING.
I spent a lot of time in Pleasanton, CA. I originally stored my old boat at that location, but city zoning rules don’t allow you to store a boat, unless it’s in your backyard and no one can see it. ( Tech tip: If you leave it hitched to your car and move it every 3 days you are fine. Evil grin.)
So We ended up storing it at our vacation home. Check out Fun Cabin Rentals if you’d like more about about our cabin in Twain Harte, CA we rent out 365 days a year. Unfortunately I have a “crazy uncle”. Doesn’t every family seem to have one of those? He decided he’d steal a bunch of parts off the boat, all our ski’s, tow ropes, etc. and sell them on the black market. Of course I can’t prove it but I know it’s him. Insurance basically made the boat a total loss and that was the end of boating for me.
Now that I have a new home in Valley Springs, CA (away from crazy uncle) I figured it’s time to get back into boating. I don’t buy too many things brand new, so I found a slightly used 1989 Sun Runner 195 CV Cuddy Cabin. That way I could sleep on it if need be or do night fishing trips.
Some of you know I’m a pretty avid reader and like to get certifications and what not in various things. So I decided to take a California boater education course. You’ll need to take this if you ever get a ticket on the water; so I guess I am being proactive if that ever happens. It really was pretty good and well worth it. It took about 6 hours to complete.
The class I took was put on by Kalkomey Enterprises, Inc.
I paid $29.95 for the class and they don’t charge extra for your certificate. You can actually go thru the entire class for free if you just want to learn more about boating laws, but you won’t get the certificate at the end.
Boat-Ed.com
14086 Proton Rd.
Dallas, Texas 75244
Telephone: 214-351-0461
https://www.facebook.com/kalkomey
https://www.youtube.com/user/kalkomey
My biggest takeaway from the California Boater Education Class was learning how to correctly pass boats and knowing who was the right of way in various waters under certain conditions. It’s legal to drink on the boat, but the driver can’t be intoxicated (same limits for driving a car).
Go out and get your certificate and be a safer boater.
Here’s a rundown of the table of contents from the California Boater Education Course:
Unit 1: Before Getting Underway
Topic 1: The Many Parts of a Boat
Topic 2: Types of Boat Hulls
Topic 3: Boat Length
Topic 4: Types of Engines and Drives
Topic 5: Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
Topic 6: Sailboats
Topic 7: Your Boat’s Capacity
Topic 8: Float Plans
Topic 9: Fuel Your Boat—Safely
Topic 10: Trailering Your Boat
Topic 11: Tying Nautical Knots
Topic 12: Taking Care of Your Boat and Engine
Topic 13: Summary
- Unit 1 Quiz
Unit 2: Getting Out on the Water
Topic 1: Casting Off
Topic 2: Docking
Topic 3: Navigation Rules—Traffic Laws of the Waterways
Topic 4: Navigation Lights
Topic 5: Night Navigation
Topic 6: Sound Signals
Topic 7: Summary
- Unit 2 Quiz
Unit 3: Navigation and Safe Operation
Topic 1: U.S. Aids to Navigation System (ATON)
Topic 2: Anchoring
Topic 3: Dams, Locks, and Bridges
Topic 4: Changing Water Levels
Topic 5: Compasses and Charts
Topic 6: Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
Topic 7: Ignition Safety (Engine Shut-Off) Switches
Topic 8: Avoiding Jet Stream and Propeller Strike Injuries
Topic 9: Summary
- Unit 3 Quiz
Unit 4: California’s Legal Requirements of Boating
Topic 1: Your Boat’s Identification
Topic 2: Who May Operate
Topic 3: Unlawful Operation
Topic 4: Alcohol and Drugs
Topic 5: Staying Clear of Other Boats
Topic 6: Personal Flotation Devices (Life Jackets)
Topic 7: Fire Extinguishers
Topic 8: Other Engine Requirements
Topic 9: Navigation Lights
Topic 10: Federally Controlled Waters
Topic 11: Signaling and Sound Devices
Topic 12: Additional Regulations and Safety Considerations
Topic 13: Personal Watercraft (PWCs)
Topic 14: Skiing and Tubing
Topic 15: Waste, Oil, and Trash Disposal
Topic 16: Protect the Environment
Topic 17: Boating Accidents and Casualties
Topic 18: Enforcement and Penalties
Topic 19: Summary
- Unit 4 Quiz
Unit 5: Boating Emergencies
Topic 1: Risk Management
Topic 2: Rescue Techniques
Topic 3: Capsizing, Swamping, or Falling Overboard
Topic 4: Avoiding Collisions
Topic 5: Dealing With Fire Emergencies
Topic 6: Running Aground
Topic 7: Cold Water Immersion and Hypothermia
Topic 8: Carbon Monoxide (CO) Poisoning
Topic 9: Personal Injuries
Topic 10: Weather Emergencies
Topic 11: Summoning Help
Topic 12: Summary
- Unit 5 Quiz
Unit 6: Enjoying Water Sports
Topic 1: Responsibilities of a Boat Operator
Topic 2: Paddlesports—Canoes, Kayaks, and Rafts
Topic 3: Water-Skiing and Tubing
Topic 4: Scuba Diving and Snorkeling
Topic 5: Windsurfing and Sailing
Topic 6: Fishing and Hunting
Topic 7: Summary
- Unit 6 Quiz
- Practice Exam
- Certification Exam