Fish Reports, News, Discussion and Information about Fishing in Southern California. Freshwater and Saltwater fishing reports.
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Funny that if you're renting a boat, you don't need a boater's card.falafeluver wrote: Mon Jan 06, 2025 9:10 am Does the Calif. boater card (now a mandatory rule) apply to Barrett or any other CA lakes?
After reading up on the "Whys?" for this reasoning, it seems that on average during a year, only 9% of the accidents that occur on vessels are from rentals. That is why they're not requiring it for people who rent.JWall wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:53 am Geezus H Krist whatever would we do without the govt protecting us??
I can actually see why, rental boats are not the ones flying around the lakes at 50-70mph (I’m guilty). Those of us in Bassboats, Wakeboard boats, jet boats etc. are much more likely to get into an accident on the water than a rental boater. That being said I know that rental boaters are usually much less experienced on the water leading to some possible accident scenarios. A good friend of my mothers lost her arms at Lake Hodges many years ago when she was thrown from the boat after it hit a wake and as her husband turned the boat to find her, he ran her over, severing both of her arms below the arm.DarkShadow wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 9:32 amAfter reading up on the "Whys?" for this reasoning, it seems that on average during a year, only 9% of the accidents that occur on vessels are from rentals.JWall wrote: Tue Jan 07, 2025 8:53 am Geezus H Krist whatever would we do without the govt protecting us??
Yep, we're one lawsuit away from being even more safe.Moose wrote: Mon Mar 10, 2025 2:55 pmIn my opinion ANYONE operating a boat should have a card but I do see why they haven’t hit the rental boaters…..YET
I don't think anybody is actively enforcing this, unless you get pulled over for doing something dumb on the water, like not following a counter clockwise direction.Seaway wrote: Tue Mar 11, 2025 7:04 am They are asking for it at SoCal lakes... some ask to see other just ask if you have it or not...
Just got my card in the mail after passing the online course at safe2boat and submitting the info to the state. There was a fair amount of new info and I also think it was time well spent. For renters though, and the vast majority of freshwater boat operators, it was overkill. I think maybe having a boat-size threshold, say 25ft, or a recreational vs commercial use would be a fair determinant in deciding who should get the card.Dramad1 wrote: Fri Mar 14, 2025 1:16 pm Finally, after 1 or 2 hours each weekend, and 2 months later, I have completed my boater card courses and final exam. I missed only 1 question regarding the light color for full access in a lock. The answer is "amber", i knew this but answered green. I looked it up and the internet is saying green. Regardless I have reviewed the question and understand it better now.
As a person who only rented boats and borrowed pwc on weekends, I truly did not know the rules, laws, signage,/light meanings, as well as unwritten common courteousies to other boaters/participants. Saftey and emergency gear and situations etc. There is so much that I never really thought about and or knew.
I am happy that I took the courses. Though it took a while to complete. The boat US foundation courses were through and full of information in all areas of activities on the water. Definitely worth taking imo.
Renter's don't need the card.
Knew that. But never discount the state’s desire to restrict further and collect more revenues.DarkShadow wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 6:29 pmRenter's don't need the card.
According to the state, the vast majority of incidents occur on the non-renter side.
Gotfish? wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 8:36 pmJet skiers should have to pass an IQ test. Seems like most of them would fail.
I am OK with no boater cards for boats that can't go more than say, 10 mph. More than that, I agree with you.DarkShadow wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 8:41 pmGotfish? wrote: Mon Jun 02, 2025 8:36 pmJet skiers should have to pass an IQ test. Seems like most of them would fail.
A real law that would work is to require all concessionaires to check boater's cards, and if they don't, they are also liable if something goes down.
But then revenue goes down, so here we are.
Revenue or less dead people during the summer? Tough choice.
Never butt heads with buttheads…words to live by!!TaBASSco wrote: Wed Jun 04, 2025 3:42 am If they required the boater safety card from people who rent boats, it would make it sort of tough for by visiting tourists from other states and countries to be able to rent a boat unless there was some quick onsite test that they could take and pass to do so.
