SBONH stands behind change of age requirements for boating certificate

AllAbourdon · 12-01-2010, 02:43 PM

It is important to note that as BI mentioned, this is all over NH, not just on Winnipesaukee.

There are different safety risks depending on the body of water. That should be taken into consideration when a law like this goes into effect.

jrc · 12-01-2010, 03:11 PM

Sorry APS, someone mentioned that you posted at odd hours, I post at odd hours when I travel, I remembered your affection for middle east training centers, so I put a guess together. I guess I was wrong?

In short, more training is always good, all boaters should be trained at somepoint. Restricting lake access to a class of people just because some of them are not mature enough to use it safety is a bad idea. Obviously parent need to be resposible for the children and be responsible if they make a mistake.

VtSteve · 12-01-2010, 03:50 PM

It seems to be pretty standard everywhere, including those wonderful states with speed limits.

Massachusetts:
Who May Operate a Motorboat: The restrictions below apply to boats propelled by any type of motor, whether or not the motor is the principal source of propulsion.

Persons under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters only if accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older.
Persons 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters only if they:
Have passed an approved boating education course or …
Are accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older.
Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters without age restrictions.

Vermont

Age Restrictions:

Persons less than 16 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft.

Persons less than 12 years of age are restricted to motorboats of 6 hp or less.

Anyone born after January 1, 1974 must successfully complete an approved boating safety course prior to operating any motorized vessel. This online Basic Boating Safety Course meets this requirement.

I personally prefer the 6 HP limit. My first little boat had a 5 hp outboard. It was still very powerful and fast for a boat

hazelnut · 12-01-2010, 04:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by VtSteve

Vermont

Age Restrictions:
Persons less than 12 years of age are restricted to motorboats of 6 hp or less.

This I like!

I think the state should compromise on this point and allow an under 6hp rule to exist.

Bear Islander · 12-01-2010, 05:39 PM

Hazelnut and VtSteve - At last we agree!

6 HP is ok by me.

RANGER CANOE CO · 12-01-2010, 06:32 PM

Plus..... 1

VtSteve · 12-01-2010, 10:25 PM

First, since I haven't looked at outboards in many years, I think it's prudent to see what small outboards are sold now. I'd hate to pass a law that had a meaningless HP rating. Let's say under 10 hp for now.

The outboard guys can look it up.

Sounds like a deal

MAXUM · 12-02-2010, 02:40 PM

I took a brief look at just about every manufacturer I could think of and all make several models in the 4-6 HP range, most are long shafts for use on the back of sailboats, the next jump is typically to 9.9 HP.

Honestly after reading the suggestion of capping this at 10HP it seems like a very reasonable compromise.

VtSteve · 12-02-2010, 03:14 PM

Thanks for the lookup Maxum.

I'm sure, as Scott says, this may be a simple thing to change when they get it into that position. It's not the end of the world, amendments happen all the time. And, as Scott says, this was not an SBONH proposal, so the parties that did draft it are responsible for it.

This was one of the best, and most civil discussions of lake laws yet. It's nice to be around a group that has respect for one another isn't it?

MAXUM · 12-02-2010, 04:02 PM

I agree, matter of fact a little disagreement fuels great debate. In discussing possible pending legislation like this having a few ideas thrown out on the table for everyone to weigh in on **in a responsible fashion** in theory should result in something that meets the stated objective without being to far over reaching. Trouble today is that there are to many who are not mature enough to leave the personal axe in the closet and be able to look at things objectively. For those that can't participate like that are well known and have lost any and all credibility.

All that said I hope that our newly elected leaders in Concord set thier priorities appropriately, our state faces some very serious problems least of them being amendments to current boating laws.

ApS · 12-02-2010, 05:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bear Islander

Hazelnut and VtSteve - At last we agree! 6 HP is ok by me.

With the right loading, 6-HP can send a boat to 26-MPH.

(But watch for a new SBONH Press Release anyway).

12-01-2010, 06:32 PM	#6
RANGER CANOE CO Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Squam Posts: 52 Thanks: 25 Thanked 15 Times in 12 Posts	Plus..... 1 __________________ rangercanoe.com On Squam lake

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12-01-2010, 02:43 PM	#1
AllAbourdon Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 61 Thanks: 22 Thanked 4 Times in 4 Posts	It is important to note that as BI mentioned, this is all over NH, not just on Winnipesaukee. There are different safety risks depending on the body of water. That should be taken into consideration when a law like this goes into effect.

12-01-2010, 03:11 PM	#2
jrc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: NH Posts: 2,689 Thanks: 33 Thanked 439 Times in 249 Posts	Sorry APS, someone mentioned that you posted at odd hours, I post at odd hours when I travel, I remembered your affection for middle east training centers, so I put a guess together. I guess I was wrong? In short, more training is always good, all boaters should be trained at somepoint. Restricting lake access to a class of people just because some of them are not mature enough to use it safety is a bad idea. Obviously parent need to be resposible for the children and be responsible if they make a mistake.

12-01-2010, 03:50 PM	#3
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	It seems to be pretty standard everywhere, including those wonderful states with speed limits. Massachusetts: Who May Operate a Motorboat: The restrictions below apply to boats propelled by any type of motor, whether or not the motor is the principal source of propulsion. Persons under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters only if accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older. Persons 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters only if they: Have passed an approved boating education course or … Are accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older. Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts waters without age restrictions. Vermont Age Restrictions: Persons less than 16 years of age shall not operate a Personal Watercraft. Persons less than 12 years of age are restricted to motorboats of 6 hp or less. Anyone born after January 1, 1974 must successfully complete an approved boating safety course prior to operating any motorized vessel. This online Basic Boating Safety Course meets this requirement. I personally prefer the 6 HP limit. My first little boat had a 5 hp outboard. It was still very powerful and fast for a boat

The Following User Says Thank You to VtSteve For This Useful Post:
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The Following User Says Thank You to hazelnut For This Useful Post:
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12-01-2010, 05:39 PM	#5
Bear Islander Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Bear Island Posts: 1,764 Thanks: 32 Thanked 441 Times in 207 Posts	Hazelnut and VtSteve - At last we agree! 6 HP is ok by me.

The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to Bear Islander For This Useful Post:
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12-01-2010, 10:25 PM	#7
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	First, since I haven't looked at outboards in many years, I think it's prudent to see what small outboards are sold now. I'd hate to pass a law that had a meaningless HP rating. Let's say under 10 hp for now. The outboard guys can look it up. Sounds like a deal

12-02-2010, 02:40 PM	#8
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	I took a brief look at just about every manufacturer I could think of and all make several models in the 4-6 HP range, most are long shafts for use on the back of sailboats, the next jump is typically to 9.9 HP. Honestly after reading the suggestion of capping this at 10HP it seems like a very reasonable compromise.

12-02-2010, 03:14 PM	#9
VtSteve Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 1,320 Blog Entries: 1 Thanks: 230 Thanked 361 Times in 169 Posts	Thanks for the lookup Maxum. I'm sure, as Scott says, this may be a simple thing to change when they get it into that position. It's not the end of the world, amendments happen all the time. And, as Scott says, this was not an SBONH proposal, so the parties that did draft it are responsible for it. This was one of the best, and most civil discussions of lake laws yet. It's nice to be around a group that has respect for one another isn't it?

12-02-2010, 04:02 PM	#10
MAXUM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Kuna ID Posts: 2,755 Thanks: 246 Thanked 1,942 Times in 802 Posts	I agree, matter of fact a little disagreement fuels great debate. In discussing possible pending legislation like this having a few ideas thrown out on the table for everyone to weigh in on in a responsible fashion in theory should result in something that meets the stated objective without being to far over reaching. Trouble today is that there are to many who are not mature enough to leave the personal axe in the closet and be able to look at things objectively. For those that can't participate like that are well known and have lost any and all credibility. All that said I hope that our newly elected leaders in Concord set thier priorities appropriately, our state faces some very serious problems least of them being amendments to current boating laws.