Operator Age and Education Requirements for Motorboats
The following age restrictions apply to persons born on or after January 1, 1999.
- A person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat of up to 10 horsepower without supervision or completion of an approved boater safety and education course.
- A person under 12 years of age may not operate a motorboat propelled by machinery of more than 10 horsepower unless under the immediate supervision of a person in the motorboat who is at least 16 years of age and has completed an approved boater safety and education course.
- A person 12 years of age or older may operate a motorboat propelled by machinery of up to 25 horsepower without supervision or successful completion of an approved boater safety and education course.
- A person 12 years of age or older may not operate a motorboat propelled by machinery of more than 25 horsepower for recreational boating purposes unless that person:
- Has successfully completed an approved boater safety and education course and...
- Possesses and presents for inspection upon request to a law enforcement officer a boater safety and education course certificate.
Persons born before January 1, 1999, are not required to complete a boater safety and education course to operate a motorboat or to supervise a youth operator.
