License to drive a boat

For the record, I am against it.

It will increase liability and decrease deniablity if their actions are taken to court. 

For the record, I am against it.

I would not have voted for it as presented if I were a legislator. I like the concept but I don't really like the bits and bolts of this law.

For the record, I am against it.

I would not have voted for it as presented if I were a legislator. I like the concept but I don't really like the bits and bolts of this law.

That is my stand on it.

Several years ago I did the boaters safety course through the state department of boating and waterways-it got me a discount on my boat insurance.

I'm all for safety, but I think there's plenty of laws already and I really don't want one more regulatory sticker to maintain. We should use our resources to focus on enforcing the laws that are already in place, that have the greatest impact on improving safety. Just my humble opinion, it's not worth the social cost, seems like another way to take even more money from me where I receive nothing in return except NOT being arrested/imprisoned. It's called extortion under the guise of safety. Look at the roads, they already give licenses to just about anyone. It will be the same thing, everyone will get their licenses still once they shell our their cash. I seriously doubt this will keep those dipshits off the water. I don't want to live in a nanny state, I don't need California to cut my meat into bites, or tell me not to run at the pool.

I think it would have made much more sense to specify that the license would be required to operate any vessel with a GAS engine over, say, 10 or 15 HP.

Drivers license for a little aluminum dingy with a 5 horse? Or a drift boat with a little electric trolling motor?!? Come on...

Any greater education on boat operation and navigation by the recreational boater would be fantastic. I guess my paranoid opinion is that the next step to this is mandated liability insurance for all boaters much like the vehicle code. Even though I can see the upside argument to that it just seems like every and any activity is becoming so regulated and cost prohibitive.

I think it would have made much more sense to specify that the license would be required to operate any vessel with a GAS engine over, say, 10 or 15 HP.

Drivers license for a little aluminum dingy with a 5 horse? Or a drift boat with a little electric trolling motor?!? Come on...

A boat with a 5hp can cause just as much death as a larger boat.  It's like saying people who drive a Smart car don't need a license because it is smaller or people who drive an Electric vehicle don't need a license because it is electric.  Come on.....

That's not a valid comparison at all... All cars on the road drive at speeds capable of killing the people in the car, AND others.

If you tap the side of someone else's boat while humming along with a 27 pound thrust electric trolling motor you probably won't kill anyone.

As for cars, we already have different levels of license based on the risk and liability involved with driving different vehicles. I think something similar could be implemented for boats.

A dingy with an electric trolling motor does not pose the same risk and liability as a 40' cigarette boat. That's all I'm saying...

I think this could use some fine-tuning, but there are a lot of dummies out there in boats acting aggressive and/or oblivious towards those around them. If this could filter some of them out, I'd say it's a good thing.

Entirely different categories if you ask me.

If you get struck in the head or hit by a propeller by either one, there's really no different levels of dead.  

I think this could use some fine-tuning, but there are a lot of dummies out there in boats acting aggressive and/or oblivious towards those around them. If this could filter some of them out, I'd say it's a good thing.

Agreed.  I've had waaaaay too many close calls with oblivious individuals for my liking.  While this may not be perfect, any step towards boating safety/education is a step in the right direction.