Boater Ed card

[MHWASH]

Decided it's time to get one of these now that I'm taking the boys fishing.

What is the best way to go about this? I like the idea of the at home study course.

[lokidog]

Do it online, shop around, some are cheaper than others.  My wife and son took one that you did not pay for until completed.

[bearmanric]

Did mine saturday. 8 hour class 25.00 then sent 10.00 today for the card. Rick

[biggfish]

I took mine for free from the city of Lakewood PD. Class was 10 hours but informative.

[huntnphool]

http://www.boatus.org/

 It was $10 when I did it, took about 5 hours.

[yum tag soup]

 Online. Can't remember how long it took but it is on a timer as to say you can't just flip through and answer. Lots of good info though

[Ellensburg]

I took it last year for free. The website wont fully load for me when I click the online portion, but here ya go:

Go to this site: http://parks.state.wa.us/444/Classroom-Courses

Click the "online courses" tab

Find the free one.

Answers are all on google.

[Blacklab]

Online. Can't remember how long it took but it is on a timer as to say you can't just flip through and answer. Lots of good info though

 
Got mine in 2011 on a nasty winter night (bored). 4 1/2 years later I bought a boat  Can't remember how long it took at least 3hrs. As said above you can't skip a head which is why it takes so long.  Gl and have fun   

[birddogdad]

? is this becoming a requirement? if so, is there any grandfathering?

[Henrydog]

it has been a requirement for the last couple of years.  Anyone born after 1955 using more than 15hp has to have one.  Just another waste of time and money by the nanny state of Washington...but don't you feel safer?

 I had a safety check on Hayden Lake in Idaho last year.  The sheriff was super nice, he checked all my stuck and I told him "hell I even have a Wa license"  he just laughed.

I was checked by a couple of goosestepping Jackboots, I mean game wardens, in January on Rock Lake and my boats license was the 2nd thing they asked for.  Further cementing it is just a cash grab.  They seemed disappointed I had one

[quadrafire]

http://www.boatus.org/

 It was $10 when I did it, took about 5 hours.

This is the one I did as well. You could get through it faster, but are restricted to a certain amount of time for each question so you can't answer fast and move on.
Just carve out a day and do it, it is rather informative.

[huntnphool]

http://www.boatus.org/

 It was $10 when I did it, took about 5 hours.

This is the one I did as well. You could get through it faster, but are restricted to a certain amount of time for each question so you can't answer fast and move on.
Just carve out a day and do it, it is rather informative.

25 seconds per page, average 70 pages per section and 8 sections I think it was.

[yorketransport]

http://www.boatus.org/

 It was $10 when I did it, took about 5 hours.

This is the one I did as well. You could get through it faster, but are restricted to a certain amount of time for each question so you can't answer fast and move on.
Just carve out a day and do it, it is rather informative.

This is where I got did mine. I just worked on it for an hour each night after work until I was done. The time restrictions are a little frustrating, but I get it.

[gallion_t]

I guess I'm glad I was in the first group that had to do it. When I did mine back in 2006 I believe there was a free online option and no time requirement. Took me about 10 minutes if memory serves me correct. I even did it a second time because I typed my name in wrong at the start and couldn't change it later.

But completely agree its a cash grab. If memory serves me correctly you don't need the licence if you are renting at boat. So the people who own them and operate them regularly need to prove they're smart, but the guy who is renting it for a day with a case of beer just has to sign a page saying he read the safety rules. Doesn't seem quite right to me.

[jay.sharkbait]

It's all about money.

Way too time consuming and no exemptions for actual documented experience.

[Angus]

Anyone ever been checked for the card? I've been checked twice on the Columbia by both a sheriffs boat and a CG boat and they've never asked to see it.
Seems pretty worthless if they're not going to enforce it.

[Ridgeratt]

There is an exemption if you are a Dinosaur also. Pre-1955

[jay.sharkbait]

There is an exemption if you are a Dinosaur also. Pre-1955

1955? Had they even invented the boat by then?

[Ridgeratt]

There is an exemption if you are a Dinosaur also. Pre-1955

1955? Had they even invented the boat by then?

I think they referred to them as ark. Most were held together with vines and pitch.

 I was an oarsman with Leif Erikson!

[h2ofowlr]

I took my course on line and it seemed to take forever.  I think I worked on it for a week plus.

[huntnphool]

They check all the time on Lake Washington and Tapps

[carpsniperg2]

I did mine awhile ago since I am a young pup and the way they phased it in.

I have been checked 2 times on the big c and glad I had it.

[MHWASH]

http://www.boatus.org/

 It was $10 when I did it, took about 5 hours.

Just went to start my course, but it's down because of unforeseen errors until tomorrow.

[Wanttohuntmore]

Took mine two years ago via booklet, much faster that way.  Waste of time and money.  It hasn't helped me on my sled on the river in anyway.  I really am trying hard to think of something useful it taught me and I really am drawing a blank.  Now hunter Ed, that was a good class.

[lokidog]

Anyone ever been checked for the card? I've been checked twice on the Columbia by both a sheriffs boat and a CG boat and they've never asked to see it.
Seems pretty worthless if they're not going to enforce it.

I've never been asked out here.

And as mentioned, it is entirely a money grab.  I took the course as a 12 yo kid and passed.  I have my card, but technically, the State won't accept it because it doesn't have WA stamped on it and I did not give them my $10.  How is it that my HS class cert works from out of state but this does not?

And... I wonder what the percentage of accidents/incidents is with people using a small boat with a 15hp or less vs someone that has spent, often tens of thousands of dollars for something larger?  Seems like all boaters should need this if anyone does.