BOATING FAQ's & QUESTIONS ABOUT OUR BOATING EDUCATION COURSE

The Boating Course takes approximately eight hours total.  To clarify that’s seven hours of training and one hour to take the Boaters Exam at the end.

You can get this license at 10 years old. You can solo at 10 or 11 years old if the boat has a motor of less than 10 horsepower.  You can operate the boat at 10 or 11 years old with a motor greater than 9.9 horsepower.  A supervisor must be on the boat when the motor greater than ten horsepower.  The supervising operator must be 18 and have had their certificate for two years.   An individual with the license who is 12 years old my solo on a boat.

Very frequently asked question…so here you go.  One can get the license at 10 years old.  Operators can solo on a boat at 12 years old with no limitations.

A person must be 12 to be an observer on both a boat and a jet ski.  Sometimes called a “spotter”

You must be 16 to tow any skier or inflatable on either a boat or jet ski.  You must be 16 to solo on a jet ski.  10-15 year olds can operate the Jet Ski but supervised by someone 18 years or older.  They must have their Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation.  Most importantly they must be on the jet ski with them.

The Boaters Exam is detailed but if you stay focused during the class the chances of failing are nearly zero and you’ll be walking out of there with your Boat License!

True, it is a Boating Certificate.  Many refer to it as a license.  A licenses needs renewing and certificates are good for life.  As we talk about it class, the Connecticut Boating Certificate is Good for LIFE!

Other than the name obviously, they are all combined into one class now.  The SBC section focuses on safe boating. The CPWO section focuses on the safe operation of PWC’s. The SWE section focuses on safely towing an inflatable or someone on skis. The PWC Certificate is the new title.  You get all three when you take the 1-Day Boaters Class.

The Boater Exam is 60 Multiple Choice Questions and you need to get a grade of 80 or better which means you need to get 48 answers correct to get an 80 or on the other hand, you are allowed to get 12 answers wrong.  The Boaters Exam Sections are weighted.

You will be afforded the time to go back and review your incorrect answers and change them before the end of class.  We have had only a few students who couldn’t pass the Boater Exam.  That was due to an egregious lack of effort throughout the day.

Yes, in fact the entire Boating Course is presented in a slide show format.  We use other enhancements and practices used to mix it up. You’ll see slides containing just about everything from Jet Skis & “Fail” slides, to some pretty awesome Crafts & Waterscapes.

No.  Everything is online now.  You are given private access to the Helm that includes the entire set of Navigation Rules, digital Navigation Charts of the Long Island Sound, Federal & State boating related publications, and important forms that you may need as a boat owner, well over 1100 Pages!  You may want to bring lunch if you’d like… 🙂

Yes, the State of Connecticut Charges $50 for the boating license.  In addition our course fee is $80.  You pay the State of Connecticut Boat License fee separately once you pass the Boating Course.  Your Boat License will be an available option for you when you sign in using your Conservation ID number.

Your Boaters License is good for life.  You never have to renew it or pay another fee.  You can also print a duplicate whenever you’d like, again, free of charge

Simply Contact Us and let us know if and when you can make another one.  Please be considerate and understand that we are filling our Safe Boating Classes ahead of time 24/7.  If you know in a reasonable amount of time, please let us know as well.  We understand that everyone has emergencies so don’t sweat it, we’ll work it out.

The only way to get a Boating License in CT is by attending the 1-Day Course and Passing the Boaters Exam offered by an approved provider. All approved Connecticut license providers are sanctioned by NASBLA, The State of Connecticut’s Marine Headquarters Boating Division, The State of Connecticut’s DEEP, and must be recognized by the United States Coast Guard.

Any one that has their SAFE BOATING CERTIFICATE or their combined SBC & CERTIFICATE OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATION before October 1st, 2015, does not have to retake the course for the Safe Waterskiing Endorsement, you are grandfathered in. Anyone who has just a Safe Boating Certificate has two options.

Firstly, retake the course and get their Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation and their Safe Waterskiing Endorsement OR
Secondly take the Upgrade PWC class in Hartford.  You must have your SBC to take this class.

PWC boating is the same as Personal Watercraft Operation which is part of the certification process.  There are many terms and acronyms that are tossed around when it comes to Nautical information in general and PWC Boating is a perfect example of that.

You need a Boaters License to drive any boat that is motorized regardless of its size or category. If it has a motor, it must be registered with the DMV and in order to register any boat in Connecticut, you’ll need to have the PWC number from your Boaters License.

Yes, you need a Boaters License to operate any type of Personal Watercraft such as Jet Ski’s, Waverunners, Wet Bikes, etc.. Connecticut defines a Personal Watercraft as any jet driven vessel that someone sits on, stands on, kneels on.  “On” being the keyword.  Just like a boat, it must be registered with the DMV and in order to register any boat in Connecticut, you’ll need to have the PWC number from your Boaters License.

The only way to get a Safe Boating Certificate in CT is by attending the 1-Day Course and Passing the Boaters Exam offered by an approved provider. All approved Connecticut license providers are sanctioned by NASBLA, The State of Connecticut’s Marine Headquarters Boating Division, The State of Connecticut’s DEEP, and must be recognized by the United States Coast Guard.

The Safe Boating Certificate or the Boating Safety Certificate as some may call it was the original certificated that was issued at the inception of the Boating Program in Connecticut which was in the early ’90s. All the materials and curriculum from that program is now encompassed by the new three-pronged course only offered in Connecticut by an approved provider.

Massachusetts states that if you have completed an approved NASBLA Boat Licensing Course you are good to boat on their waters. Connecticut does have a reciprocity agreement with those individuals who carry the Massachusetts Boaters License which means as a visiting licensed boater from Massachusetts you can boat upon our waters

You need a Boaters License to drive any boat that is motorized regardless of its size or category. If it has a motor, it must be registered with the DMV and in order to register any boat in Connecticut, you’ll need to have the PWC number from your Boaters License.

The only way to get a Safe Boating Certificate in CT is by attending the 1-Day Course and Passing the Boaters Exam offered by an approved provider. All approved Connecticut license providers are sanctioned by NASBLA, The State of Connecticut’s Marine Headquarters Boating Division, The State of Connecticut’s DEEP, and must be recognized by the United States Coast Guard.

Connecticut law does not require a boat owner to purchase or maintain liability insurance however It is so inexpensive for the coverage that everyone should have it. The financial institution may mandate liability insurance during the terms of a boat loan.

Proposed in 1987 was House Bill number 5014.  This would have required every owner of watercraft registered in Connecticut to maintain a minimum level of liability insurance. The bill Proposed by Representative Lockton (149th district) referred to the Insurance and Real Estate Committee.  Bill 5014 remained unraised and never considered at a public hearing.  Therefore, no legislative history or public hearing testimony is available.  Hence no such bill is in place and or enforced at this time.  Again it is so inexpensive for the coverage that EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IT.

You need a Boaters License to drive any boat that is motorized regardless of its size or category. If it has a motor, it must be registered with the DMV and in order to register any boat in Connecticut, you’ll need to have the PWC number from your Boaters License.

All providers are entitled to charge what they think is fair. We charge $80 per student at our Public Classes and we use a sliding scale for our Private Classes. Once you have taken the class there is a one-time fee due to the State of Connecticut for $50.00 and your license is instantly downloaded from the States web site.

Once earned, it is good for life!

All providers are entitled to charge what they think is fair.  We charge $80 per student at our Public Classes and we use a sliding scale for our Private Classes. Once you have taken the class there is a one-time fee due to the State of Connecticut for $50.00 and your license is instantly downloaded from the States web site.

Yes aside from the course fee, the State of Connecticut collects $50.00 as an administrative fee for the Boating License.

Connecticut accepts boaters from all states as long as they have taken and passed a NASBLA approved power boating course.  On the other hand, Connecticut states that in order to operate a PWC or tow an inflatable or skier, you must have proper respective endorsement.

You must have a Boaters License and be 16 years old to tow any skier or inflatable device.

UPDATE:  Connecticut will be allowing virtual live instruction through at least the 2022 boating season. (done at an in-person class proctored by an approved provider)

The only way to get a Boating License in CT is by attending the 1-Day Course and Passing the Boaters Exam offered by an approved provider. A Connecticut Marine Educator is certified.  NASBLA, The CT DEEP certify all providers.  The United States Coast Guard recognizes those entities approvals.

REFUND POLICY:   At Connecticut Boating Certificates LLC we ask that you notify us of your cancellation at least 48 hours prior to your class to receive a full refund. Simply send an email or leave a voicemail (or both) so we have the electronic date and time stamp. If you DO NOT notify us of your cancellation at least 48 hours prior to your class we will not issue a refund but you can apply 100% of your payment to a future class.