Thanks again.Well, you can do some more checking and I am sure others will jump in but to my best knowledge, no, you cannot take divers or customers on discovery dives or check out dives for a fee even if the fee is for the instruction or DM duties and not the boat per say. You are splitting hairs there and I suspect it will not split to your advantage should the authorities question you or misfortune come your way. You would have to have a licensed captain and the correct inspections for the class of boat.
Phoenix is close to So Cal, we went there often enough including to Catalina and the Gulf of California.
Some states do require a license but most operators are grandfathered even there. As to why you can operate a boat without a license but not a car or airplane, well, you may have a point but it is the way it is. .
Good luck, enjoy your new adventure. Boats are a wonderful as long as the family are on board with it. Have fun.
N
Well, I'm one that does try to abide by the rules...........it's not my intention to do anything commercially with a boat or split hairs but it's good to knowthings in advance so as to not make a a costly mistake later.....certainly family and frinds are the priority......
Thanks!