Who feels that a license should be required for boating?

Just something a coworker and I were discussing today.

aoLl BoTes   oKay

i'm assuming you mean an operating license. i have'nt really have'nt had that bad of an experience so far to vote yes and involve more regulations. i wish the pontoon people would have to take a class on getting the boat back on the trailer though.
 
i'll even go so far to say the jet ski guys over the last few years have been respectful to guys fishing.

Good idea on the poll!!!!

ORIGINAL: MAT

 i wish the pontoon people would have to take a class on getting the boat back on the trailer though.

 
 
Wouldn't hurt the guys with bassboat type boats either. Some of them don't know how to load a boat onto a trailer.

I say no. Idiots are idiots and a licence wont change that.

I think the current system works fine.  If your grandfathered in you ought to have enough sense not to hurt anyone, if not a few lessons could really make a difference.  I dont think the state will ever hold classes on how to trailer a boat, I could be wrong.  In any case the real concern should be about conditions, right of way and red/green lights. 

Having just bought my new boat.. and having never owned a boat before I couldn't imagine going out there with out some training.  I'm taking the basic boating class that starts on March 3rd.  I think the US power Squadron is teaching it.  I also plan on having one of my long time boating friends take my boat out with me for the first time.  One can never have enough experence.. especially when your boating Lake Erie.  JMO...

I think everybody should be licensed, that way everybody is on the same page. If you chose to follow the rules and laws that is up to you just like driving a car. I took the basic boating class last week and it was a good class, but like the title it was basic.

Hey, if you can't drive a car, You shouldn't drive a boat. That being said, yes we should have some kind of boat operating license system. (of course,that would require some common sense. and we can't have that,could we?)

I think it would be a good idea. I have experienced alot of idiots on the water that have no respect for the rules of the water or other boaters near them. I haven't experienced this on Lake Erie, mostly on inland reservoirs & the like. It seems that many operators don't even know the basic rules of boating.

I agree there should be some sort of regulation on boats over a certain size and power.  The state does have some rules against age and 25HP and higher.  I don't think a 3 year old should be on any boat alone... but don't think an adult should have to get a license to paddle a canoe.  I think everyone that boats should do some homework though.  If you own a boat, that has a motor that can get you on plain, you should really know some rules of the water.  I think everyone in this category should have to have a boating certificate.  That no opinion vote that I had, ended up coming with an opinion...  There should be more to yes or no on that though.  Makes you wonder why some politician's voting record seems to be the way they are???  Vote no for one thing and yes for what appears to be the same exact thing?
 
 
There is a sample test on here if you want to check your own knowledge.  Also, the course itself is free.  I'm sure most have taken it, but if you ever want to look up some questions you might have.  $15 if you want the certificate, but not needed if you are over a certain age.  Kind of makes you wonder why they'd put a practice test on here?  Especially since people think they are notorius for making a profit.  I'm sure I'm not the only person to take the practice test and not the $15 one...  I'm sure the PFBC's objective is to have safe waters and not make an extra buck though. 
 
http://www.boat-ed.com/pa/pa_internet.htm

If your born after 1983 you have to have a boater safety course to operate any boat or pwc...every1 else is grandfathered in

while it MIGHT be a good idea to have a boat operating/launching license/permit, imo alot of it has to do with boating/launching ETIQUETTE. there are automobile, CDL, motorcycle, etc... licenses, however, they dont make people drive anymore CONGENIAL around each other.

I took my boaters test a few years ago online and it was WAY harder then my states car learners/drivers test.  It would have been near impossible if you had to take the whole test at once and was not allowed to look up the answers.  Way too much detail.  The kinda stuff noone uses becuase even if you did noone else would know what it means. BTW...I think stuff in the section titled "Boating Basics" should be mandatory no matter what.

One note on the pontoon boats, have you ever tried to put one on a trailer?  Give them a few extra minutes because it's way harder then your typical vhull. I used to occasionally have to make 2 or 3 attempts to get it right with my parents old pontoon.

Though I will agree that some of them are idiots and I have actually timed one particularly stupid couple at 57 minutes. (28 of which were backing the trailer in)  On a wide ramp with enough room to manuver a semi!  And noone else was around except me fishing on a nearby dock so there was no reason to have trouble.  I offered to help them out but the guy threatened to call the cops if I came near him and his "Brand f*cking new boat!".
IDIOT!