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.

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?
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I agree with this comment the 41 years old if your going to make it happen have everyone take it one time there are many adults over 41 that have never operated a boat covid exposed that problem. In WI during covid they let the parent decide if your child needed to take the driver’s test or not. We off course made our children take it I just couldn’t figure the logic on this one send all these new drivers out and let the parents be the judge.

buckybadger wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>isu22andy wrote:</div>
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.

I literally laughed out loud . Thank you for this lol

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.

Easy easy . I ain’t above the law . I just think this one in particular is dumb . But hey – no one bats an eye at the pleasure boats who sit and drink alllllll day at the sand bar or local pub and then takes off at 60 mph with their captain call rolling in their wake boat . But let’s ticket me in a 16 foot tiller with a 25 Johnson who’s been on the water his whole life cutting from one back water hole to the next . Bigger fish to fry in my opinion . Under 21 then fine . But 41 ? How many times are we going to let the government be our bubble wrap to protect ourselves .

I’m not going to sit and argue back and forth about it – but that’s how I see it . Just like spotlights on the river .

Can we add boat launch etiquette??

Yeah quit digging out the boat ramps while I watch and fish from the boat launch dock which I’m probably not supposed to do in the first place. Seriously there’s a boat ramp were beginners and old timers seem to go alot that I fish at and they all need some good boating lessons. Doubt they would get it from a manual though.

Lot of divorces too at the launch

mxskeeter wrote:

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

Do you know when Wi started requiring the boaters license?

isu22andy 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.

Easy easy . I ain’t above the law . I just think this one in particular is dumb . But hey – no one bats an eye at the pleasure boats who sit and drink alllllll day at the sand bar or local pub and then takes off at 60 mph with their captain call rolling in their wake boat . But let’s ticket me in a 16 foot tiller with a 25 Johnson who’s been on the water his whole life cutting from one back water hole to the next . Bigger fish to fry in my opinion . Under 21 then fine . But 41 ? How many times are we going to let the government be our bubble wrap to protect ourselves .

I’m not going to sit and argue back and forth about it – but that’s how I see it . Just like spotlights on the river .

I don’t get checked very often on the river anymore, but I did get stopped once a few summers ago in the fishing boat right at the edge of the channel where I had been drifting back and forth over the tip of a wingdam. In the time it took to verify my license, pfd, and make a little small talk – I saw 2 cruisers with people sitting through the front rails (illegal), a nautique that had to be pushing 55mph with nobody over the age of about 18 on board, and 2 jet skis skipping the wake of every boat going by. I could have said something smart about “hammering the guy who was a real danger out there” but kept to myself. I just pointed at the chaos up the channel and said “It looks like you have your work cut out for you today.”

Youbetcha wrote:

Can we add boat launch etiquette??

IF we can then I’m for it!

Matt I do not know when but it’s been on the books for a long time. I’m just guessing but maybe at least 20 years.

I think it was the law before atv certification became mandatory for 12 to 16 kids.

Everyone should take the boaters safety course. I did it when I was young and redid it when I helped my son with his. It doesn’t take much time to do it and it is a good review of what you should be doing. I just noticed my endorsements for boating, snowmobiling, ATV, motorcycle, life time fishing, and firearms are on longer on the back of my ID. I wonder if I need to redo any of them?

If you have an Enhanced license they do not print the DNR indicators on them.

Riverrat wrote:

If you have an Enhanced license they do not print the DNR indicators on them.

The DNR and License Division share there data base with each other.

If they scan your license they are there. I just renewed mine and I asked to have my lifetime fishing license added and she said it was already there. I guess its in the QR code. When you renew it will have License Indicators: Firearm Safety Certificate, Fishing License, Living Will/Health Care Directive, Senior and in my case Organ Donor = Y and Veteran =Y

Youbetcha wrote:

Can we add boat launch etiquette??

Big lawn chair lobbyists will fight tooth and nail against this.

Looks like $35 and 3-4 hours

LabDaddy1 wrote:

Big lawn chair lobbyists will fight tooth and nail against this.

Thats true. Lot of lawn chair sales to go sit and watch a busy boat launch

You can ask if the law is applied unevenly, you can talk about how important freedom is. Then ask yourself if the law saves lives.
What do you value?

James Almquist wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Riverrat wrote:</div>
If you have an Enhanced license they do not print the DNR indicators on them.

The DNR and License Division share there data base with each other.

If they scan your license they are there. I just renewed mine and I asked to have my lifetime fishing license added and she said it was already there. I guess its in the QR code. When you renew it will have License Indicators: Firearm Safety Certificate, Fishing License, Living Will/Health Care Directive, Senior and in my case Organ Donor = Y and Veteran =Y

I’m even more against not having indicators on the license itself. Just this year I had to get a new license returned because it didn’t have the correct information (they gave me a restriction on my Class A when I shouldn’t have any.)

tim hurley wrote:

You can ask if the law is applied unevenly, you can talk about how important freedom is. Then ask yourself if the law saves lives.
What do you value?

Then let’s require passengers aboard ALL watercraft to wear life jackets at ALL times. You’ll save 600% more lives than this law.

You get to see what is going on your license before it is sent in. Just double check that it all looks good before approving.

Matthew Craig wrote:

Then let’s require passengers aboard ALL watercraft to wear life jackets at ALL times. You’ll save 600% more lives than this law.

That will happen the day they stop you from driving a vehicle while on your cell phone.

fins wrote:

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.

I get your point and I cant say I’m against the new rule. But I disagree with Boats being way more Dangerous. As a insurance agent we have way more claims from ATV’s than boats and have way more boats insured. SxS are starting to become one of the highest claim toys out there. Some rather serious claims as well.

fishthumper wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fins wrote:</div>
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.

I get your point and I cant say I’m against the new rule. But I disagree with Boats being way more Dangerous. As a insurance agent we have way more claims from ATV’s than boats and have way more boats insured. SxS are starting to become one of the highest claim toys out there. Some rather serious claims as well.

And of those claims, how many were on the water and resulted in injury?