Minimum age to drive a jetboat

[Amar Nanduri]

My son loves the jetboat and want to learn to drive it (under supervisions of course). What is the minimum age requirement for learning to operate a jetboat ? Is it 14 yrs ?

Thanks
Amar

 

[Bruce]

This is a state level issue. What state do you live in?

 

[Matt Phillips]

Yep state specific issue... Every one is different

 

[swatski]

VA

 

[WildBillF1]

Looks like it's 14 in VA. https://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/boating_law.html

 

[Bennie]

Looks like it's 14 in VA. https://www.boat-ed.com/virginia/boating_law.html

My state requires the kid to be 12 - that being said my 10 y/o boy drives all the time.
ONLY WHEN - we are in clear open water without ANY traffic and I am with him at the helm. I believe that you need to feed their young and eager minds. If they continuously hear "no" then their desire is subdued and you'll be lucky if they still care when they are old enough to legally participate.
Hell he drives my truck at the hunting camp too - they need to learn and become involved. IMHO

 

[jcyamaharider]

My 8 year old and my 12 year old can both "man" the helm when I need them to so I can do dock lines, bumpers, etc. I keep a close eye out and I can react quick if need but they drive the boat great! Getting them started early is great. I will add that they both can out ride most of my family on atv's. I started them on gas powered 4- wheelers when they were both 5 years old.

 

[jcyamaharider]

Here is my oldest and youngest piloting our fishing boat on some off shoot on the Missouri River.

 

[Bennie]

Nice job mom & dad! Teach those girls now so they won't be listening to those boys in a few years.
(those boys ain't nothing but trouble - and I'm quoting my mother-in-law on this one)

@jcyamaharider @jcyamahariders wife

 

[waterboy]

Kids can operate at any age under supervision. The laws and ages that go with it are for operating a boat without supervision. That varies by state as others have mentioned. Start them driving as soon as they are interested. With supervision, etc as that is how they learn. My 2 older girls have shown little interest. My youngest is very interested and she is 14 now. She is now launching and loading the boat on the trailer for me as my wife doesn't like too. I need to teach her to back up the trailer next.

 

[Bennie]

@waterboy that may be true in your state but it can change place to place.

For instance this is what applies to Alabama:
Age and Operator Restrictions
If you are under 12 years of age: You may not obtain your Alabama boater safety certification, and you may not operate a vessel under any circumstances.

If you are 12 or 13 years of age: You may obtain your Alabama boater safety certification. After obtaining the certification, you may operate a vessel legally only ifsupervised on board by a person who:

• Is at least 21 years of age and…
• Carries a valid proof of his or her Alabama boater safety certification and…
• Is in position to take immediate physical control of the vessel.

If you are 14 years of age or older: After obtaining Alabama boater safety certification, you may operate a vessel without supervision legally on Alabama waters for up to 45 days per calendar year.

Please check the boat-ed link above and ensure what applies to your state. The water-cops aren't the sweetest of people and couldn't care less if you don't know the rules.
It is our job to know the rules/laws that apply to us and our boats.

 

[waterboy]

wow, thanks for posting and correcting me. They ARE starting to really clamp down on this sort of thing. Too bad...

 

[Bennie]

wow, thanks for posting and correcting me. They ARE starting to really clamp down on this sort of thing. Too bad...

Yes but as you can tell from all the post on here we are just a brethren of rebels that support child labor
(so they can drive while we sit back and relax)

 

[jcyamaharider]

This is all Missouri has:

Age and Operator Restrictions
All persons must be at least 14 years of age to legally operate a motorboat or PWC unless under the direct, onboard supervision of a parent, guardian, or other person 16 years of age or older.

Now my daughters will have to take the boating safety course if they want to pilot one of their own one day. Anyone born after January 1 1984 in Missouri must take this course.

 

[Amar Nanduri]

Thank you guys for all the information. My apologies for not thanking earlier as I frequently travel for work and tied up with work.

Cheers
Amar.