FL boating license question

[JackSpearo]

I think this year I would like to rent my own boat for lobster season... Does anyone know if I get a boating license from SC, will it be honored in FL? (I might have read that you don't need a license, but I just prefer to have one)

and are they hard to get?

thanks!

Jack

 

[deepstops]

I think this year I would like to rent my own boat for lobster season... Does anyone know if I get a boating license from SC, will it be honored in FL? (I might have read that you don't need a license, but I just prefer to have one)

and are they hard to get?

thanks!

Jack

You don't need no stinkin' license (unless you're 21 years old or under)
You look older than that in your picture

 

[JackSpearo]

yea but how would I know how to operate a boat? or is it very easy? I don't want to kill anyone, I know how crazy it gets during mini-season. Is boat rental expensive down there? how much we talkin about?

 

[OBXDIVEGUY]

If you don't have alot of boating experience, I highly recommend taking the Boating Skills & Seamanship course offered by the Coast Guard Auxilliary. It usually meets the requirements of a license if one is required. Often times it will qualify you for discounted insurance and it actually covers a lot of information necessary for a Captain's license.

If you're interested, usually you can go to the website and put in your zip to find the nearest clasess.

 

[SuPrBuGmAn]

Yeah, FL doesn't require a liscense - probably not the wisest decision for a state with so much water

 

[Ana]

I think this year I would like to rent my own boat for lobster season... Does anyone know if I get a boating license from SC, will it be honored in FL? (I might have read that you don't need a license, but I just prefer to have one)

and are they hard to get?

thanks!

Jack

You may have requirements from the rental facility. Those are the people you should check with.
As far as your own desire of not having an accident, that may be an issue. Do you have any boating experience at all?

Keep in mind that depending on where in Florida are you planing to go, it may make a huge difference. Can range from not a big deal to more than insane.
Think of it as renting a car to either take a couple of track laps during the Daytona 500 or just a couple of miles on a deserted country road.

 

[ONESPEED]

Lobster mini season would be a REAL bad time to try to learn to operate a boat. It's like an obstacle course as it is out there. a mere class won't give you the necessary skills to safely handle a boat, only experience can do that.

 

[Going The Distance]

As far as boat rentals talk to Rock Harbor Marina mm/97-8..They had a few there a few months back that looked pretty good. Their channel markers left a lot to be desired but its a straight shot out to the reefs.

 

[frogman_5]

Lobster mini season would be a REAL bad time to try to learn to operate a boat. It's like an obstacle course as it is out there...

I'd describe it more like a demolition derby! :11: Too many amateurs not paying attention to what's going on around them, just trying to find the perfect lobster spot.

 

[Ana]

The more I think about this question the crazier it sounds. It won't affect most of the locals because the majority of us decided a few years ago that it just isn't worth it to go out during mini-seasson with all the wakos that show up.

Consider renting a boat with an operator instead, the cost difference will be nothing comparing it to what even the smallest accident will.
Even if it was your magic destiny to NOT have an accident it will save you time, effort and patience looking for the sweet spots.
You may or may not be aware that just because you are given numbers to good spots it isn't like going to the intersection of 3rd Ave with whatever St.

There is only forward and reverse on most boats and you don't need to be within the lines like in the highway.
If you think that makes operating a boat easy, take that thought out of your mind as fast as you can.