Question: What must you do to own a boat?

(Posted by: on 2010-09-01 06:06:30)

I want to buy a boat but im not sure what you must do do you have to have a boat driving licence i know you have to insure it ut can any one tell me what i must do? Im in the uk and would like a bout that i can have a lot of fun like a speed boat

Posted by: jamiel on 2010-09-01, 06:08:47

Firstly it depends on where you are from. And secondly, it depends on what type of boat you want to own. In North America, you don't need any sort of license to own a boat. However, you do need one if you want to use it, depending on what kind it is. Anyone can hop in a canoe or a Kayak; but, if you wanted to get a yacht or a motorboat, you're looking at an entirely different set of regulations. I can put more in my answer if you can edit your question to include where you're from and what kind you wanted!

Posted by: Desiree Sky on 2010-09-01, 06:09:26

Most states have mandatory boater education requirements. Whether or not your state requires that you take and pass an approved boating safety course depends on your age and the type of boat or personal watercraft you plan to operate. ok here's my UK update - you don't need a license. Who Needs a Licence? Boating around the coast or further out to sea is open to all and does not require a licence. Passage down one of Britain’s many inland waterways however requires a boating licence or registration with the appropriate authority in charge of it. Navigation Authorities Almost all of British waterways are run by three different organisations – British Waterways, the Environment Agency and the Broads Authority. British Waterways is responsible for most of the United Kingdom’s rivers and canals and requires an appropriate licence before a boat is launched in these waters. To boat along the Thames and Medway rivers as well as those in East Anglia a registration form must be filled out for the Environment Agency. For boating on the Norfolk and Suffolk Broads a toll must be paid to the Broads Authority.

Posted by: Bill R on 2010-09-01, 09:41:25

I'm pretty sure that you do not need any form of licence in the UK, But you would be wise to do what is called a Day Skipper course. Boats are great fun but they can be very dangerous when the owner has not got a clue. The link below spells out the law in the UK

Posted by: Jack Sprat on 2010-09-01, 11:06:39

You don't need a license, but you do need to know what you're doing. A good place to start is rya.org.uk/ Pages/ Home.aspx.

Posted by: Veronica Alicia on 2010-09-01, 14:21:12

In the UK, you will need a licence to use your boat on canals and rivers (see British Waterways and/ or Department of the environment/ Thames River Licensing/ Broads Authority). You can buy a Gold Licence which will enable you to use any waterway or, if you want to venture from a canal onto the Thames, pay for a 2-week visitor's licence which you will buy from the Lock Keeper as you go onto the Thames. You also need insurance, particularly 3rd party, and this will usually cover you for up to £1 million. You won't be able to use a speed boat on the Inland waterways where the speed limit on a canal is approx 3 mph - you must slow down past any moored boats, and you must not created a breaking wash. The speed limit on the Thames is 5 mph, so I've been told by husband (I thought it was faster - good thing I don't usually do the driving!). So - with your speed boat, you are limited to coastal waters, if you want to speed. Quite honestly, you can get a lot of fun on a canal, even doing 3 mph and doing locks, etc., stopping at pubs, mooring up for the nights, chatting to people.