Boating Safety

Hey all, I looked through the threads for a minute and didn’t see anything posted on it, so thought I’d bring it up. It seems in their infinite wisdom, our overlords here in MN have determined that we are unsafe boaters. Come July 1st, anyone 21 or under will be required to complete a boaters safety course. By July 1, 2028, anyone under 41 years old, FORTY ONE YEARS OLD, will be required to take a boaters safety course.

Is it just me, or is this completely asinine?

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I think I’ll take my chances on this one . Just like the kill switch law … and the no spotlights on the water law

Wisconsin law states anyone born after 01/01/1989 needs a boating safety license.

I’ve been saying this should be the law for a long time. Hopefully they hold the nonresidents to the same standard too. Way way to many idiots out there that don’t have a clue what they are doing let alone the rules of the water. Glad to see them finally treat it like snowmobiles or atv’s. Like said above go ahead and take your chances but you will get popped for it. Every time we get stopped on wheelers or snowmobiles it’s the first thing they ask for and I’d assume a boat would be no different but it seems you think your above the law so go ahead and do what you want. Always seems like a good move to ignore laws that are there to help keep you safe. I suppose you leave your life jackets on shore too. Probably don’t need those if you don’t need a teather cord.

isu22andy wrote:

I think I’ll take my chances on this one . Just like the kill switch law … and the no spotlights on the water law

That’s how a life of outdoor crime starts.

First it’s using a light to see in the dark when nobody is around on your boat, then it’s driving a boat like you have been for years in your 30s without a recent boaters safety test……and the next thing you know you’re harpooning endangered paddle fish for fun while driving around with 18 walleyes in your livewell and a few pounds of fentanyl in the console driven up river from New Orleans.

fins wrote:

I’ve been saying this should be the law for a long time. Hopefully they hold the nonresidents to the same standard too. Way way to many idiots out there that don’t have a clue what they are doing let alone the rules of the water. Glad to see them finally treat it like snowmobiles or atv’s. Like said above go ahead and take your chances but you will get popped for it. Every time we get stopped on wheelers or snowmobiles it’s the first thing they ask for and I’d assume a boat would be no different but it seems you think your above the law so go ahead and do what you want. Always seems like a good move to ignore laws that are there to help keep you safe. I suppose you leave your life jackets on shore too. Probably don’t need those if you don’t need a teather cord.

If it’s so important, why is reading the manual the first I’ve heard about it? Why am I allowed to be on the water for 3 more years without it? Why not include those over 41 at that point?

Matthew Craig wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fins wrote:</div>
I’ve been saying this should be the law for a long time. Hopefully they hold the nonresidents to the same standard too. Way way to many idiots out there that don’t have a clue what they are doing let alone the rules of the water. Glad to see them finally treat it like snowmobiles or atv’s. Like said above go ahead and take your chances but you will get popped for it. Every time we get stopped on wheelers or snowmobiles it’s the first thing they ask for and I’d assume a boat would be no different but it seems you think your above the law so go ahead and do what you want. Always seems like a good move to ignore laws that are there to help keep you safe. I suppose you leave your life jackets on shore too. Probably don’t need those if you don’t need a teather cord.

If it’s so important, why is reading the manual the first I’ve heard about it? Why am I allowed to be on the water for 3 more years without it? Why not include those over 41 at that point?

My guess is that they want it to jive with the ATV laws. How could anyone possibly be against this? Are you against hunters safety, snowmobile safety and ATV safety certifications too? Boats are way more dangerous than any of those other things, especially if you don’t know what you’re doing.