Boats are fun watercrafts that allow you to enjoy a nice, warm day out on the water. If you have never been behind the wheel of a boat before, you are probably wondering if driving a boat is harder than driving a car. While it isn’t harder, per se, driving a boat is different than operating a motor vehicle and will take plenty of practice to master the art of boat operation.
Not to mention there are many different types of boats, each requiring varying levels of skill needed to operate them. Because of this, the question isn’t a simple answer. That also applies to land vehicles as well.
If we’re simply comparing your average street legal car to a 4-8 passenger boat then it’s not very difficult and you can learn as you go. Just keep in mind, it’s going to be much easer to drive a pontoon boat or a bowrider, than say a houseboat or a power yacht.
Is driving a boat harder than driving a car?
As stated above, driving a boat isn’t harder than driving a car, but if you are not used to driving this watercraft, you can feel uneasy when you first get behind the wheel.
Think back to your first time driving a car and you may even remember feeling the same way. The good news is that the more you drive the boat, the more confidence and knowledge you will receive. You will quickly find that after a few times behind the boat’s wheel it’s just as easy as driving your car.
Do I need a driver’s license to drive a boat?
Before you can drive a boat, you will need to know any potential legal responsibilities you are required to have, such as a license and insurance. Each state has its own requirements for operating a boat, and these requirements can vary widely.
Ohio, for example, requires all motorized boat operators born after the first of January 1982 to pass a boater safety course, as well as carry a boater education card. That is why it is important to check the requirements for your state before getting behind the wheel of a boat.
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a great place to learn more about the requirements of each state. They also offer a wide array of materials to help you safely navigate your boat.
How old do I have to be to drive a boat?
The minimum age you have to be to drive a boat is 12 years old, but this can vary from one state to the next. While West Virginia has a minimum age of 12, California requires boaters to be at least 16 years old to operate a boat.
To make things even more complicated, some states, such as Florida, have no laws stating a person has to be a certain age to operate a boat. Because of the vast differences in laws regarding driving a boat, it is best to research your state’s laws before getting behind the wheel of any watercraft.
What are the basics of driving a boat?
While each type, make, and model of boat may have some variation in how to drive it, most of them start in the same way.
- Lower the boat’s motor into the water. Insert the key into the ignition and start the boat.
- Remove ropes and/or lines securing the watercraft to the dock. If an anchor is lowered, pull it up and secure it in its place.
- Put the boat in gear, such as reverse or forward, slowly. The gear will depend on the direction needed to go to move away from the dock.
- After you have safely moved away from the dock, start turning the steering wheel in the direction you are headed. The steering wheel on a boat works in the same manner as a steering wheel on a car.
- Speed up by increasing the throttling, and decrease the speed by pulling back on the throttle.
Keep in mind that the above steps are merely a breakdown on how to drive a boat. The actual process is a bit more complicated since you will need to take into consideration your surroundings.
As with driving a car, there will be other people, boats, and debris on the water that you will need to account for. If possible, have an experienced boat operator to take you out on the water a few times to show you the ins and outs of driving a boat. This is one of the quickest ways to help you feel more comfortable driving a boat.
How do I dock a boat?
Similar to parking a car, your boat will need to be docked once you are finished. Most people find this part of the process the most challenging. This is due to the fact that, with a boat, you have less control over it than you do with a car.
Water and wind greatly impact the docking process, which is something you really don’t have to worry about when parking a car. Even if you’re comfortable driving a boat, you may not be as confident in your docking abilities.
The best thing to do is to take it slow and learn throttle control. This is especially important since boats don’t have breaks and you will need to manage its speed with proper throttle control. Unfortunately, this knowledge is something you can only learn by driving the boat.
Considerations
Driving a boat is similar to driving a vehicle in many ways, and with practice and knowledge, anyone can safely and confidently drive a watercraft. The best method to build up this skill is to start practicing driving the boat as much as possible.
No matter what your boating experience level, make sure to always follow safety guidelines when operating a boat and ensure there are plenty of life vests on the boat for everyone on board, and never mix alcohol with watercrafts.
