3 Things No One Told You Before Buying a Boat?

There's nothing more beautiful than watching a sunset while sitting on a boat in calm evening water. There's nothing more exhilarating than seeing the water rush behind you in your boat's wake as you're heading toward a new marina for an overnight stay. And there's nothing more relaxing than hanging out on your boat waiting for the fish to bite.

Getting Trained and Licensed

Before you buy your first boat, you need to be ready to use it. Besides getting started on mastering the obvious skill of safely piloting a boat, you need to acquire a few other tidbits of knowledge as you set out on your boating adventure. Captaining a boat isn't really as hard as driving a Car. But it's so different that new boaters get into trouble when they try to handle a boat the same way they handle a car. Boating safety training helps ward off some of the accidents that come from such misconceptions.

Some states require a boating license, whereas others just ask for proof that you completed an online or classroom safety course. Keep in mind that in some states, penalty points for boating offenses could be tallied against your driver's license. You can learn all about your state's boating laws by visiting www.nasbla.org, but here's some general information to get you started:

Boating licenses: In states that require licensing, you'll need to take a test, often at the same place you test for an auto or motorcycle license. There aren't many such states, but the best way find them is to visit the Web site of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators at www.nasbla.org.

Boating safety courses: Most states require new boaters to take a safety course. Some states sponsor or fund a specific course, and others allow you to choose from a variety of safety courses. While boating, you're required to keep a certification of completion from such a course with you. A great source for boating training information is www.boatus.com

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary: This organization is probably the best place to learn to boat well and safely. Chapters of the Auxiliary exist in every region; you can find one at nws.cgaux.org/flotillafinder/index.html.

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