Ronnie
Jetboaters Fleet Admiral
- Messages
- 8,775
- Reaction score
- 12,185
- Points
- 667
- Location
- SF Bay Area
- Boat Make
- Yamaha
- Year
- 2010
- Boat Model
- Limited S
- Boat Length
- 24
CA state implemented a mandatory boating education program a year or so ago. It is structured by age with people being subject to it in 5 year ranges. That is, if you are 25 years old or younger in year one of the program you must take a course and get a boaters card. In year two the trigger is 30 years or younger. I don’t have to comply for another 5 years or so.
The rule/law you cited applies in CA as well. It often comes up In discussions regarding towing people with a pwc. In Ca a spotter aside from the driver are required for wake sports, so if a pwc can legally hold 3 people, only 1 person can be towed at a time, the person being towed, the spotter and the driver make up the capacity limit.
In my situation, I had 9 riders and my wife and i in the boat, so I was over my plate capacity by 1 person. At the same time I read that the newer 242s are rated to hold 12. It not because the boat has changed but because the average weight of a passenger, as recognized by the coast guard, has changed/was reduced. I also read that a capacity plate is not required for boats over 20’, so theoretically I could drill the rivets out on my plate, remove it entirely and still be in compliance with the relevant laws. I won’t but I think I could.
I was not concerned when I did this as the water patrol at the reservoir I was at doesn’t hassle me. I’m always respectful when dealing with them and whenever they see me on the water they see that all my guests have life vests on. Thankfully, they do patrol the pwc riders on the water.
A few weeks ago one ran over my tow rope as we were at idle, a few minutes later I had to stop a tubing run because the same guy was getting to close in trying to jump my wake. I didn’t have to say a thing, the water patrol was on top of him before I could pull my tubers in. His excuse, he is a first time pwc user/renter. The water patrols response after the 5 minute lecture that included a threat to have him and his family kicked out of the park was a ticket. I was cheering silently when he took possession of it. Apparently, he didn’t learn anything nor relay any lessons to his guests as someone on that pwc got a ticket for speeding in the no wake zone. I assume, like the ticketing officer did, that the guy who got the ticket didn’t read the “no wake zone” text on the numerous buoys that he had to pass before entering the swim area.
The rule/law you cited applies in CA as well. It often comes up In discussions regarding towing people with a pwc. In Ca a spotter aside from the driver are required for wake sports, so if a pwc can legally hold 3 people, only 1 person can be towed at a time, the person being towed, the spotter and the driver make up the capacity limit.
In my situation, I had 9 riders and my wife and i in the boat, so I was over my plate capacity by 1 person. At the same time I read that the newer 242s are rated to hold 12. It not because the boat has changed but because the average weight of a passenger, as recognized by the coast guard, has changed/was reduced. I also read that a capacity plate is not required for boats over 20’, so theoretically I could drill the rivets out on my plate, remove it entirely and still be in compliance with the relevant laws. I won’t but I think I could.
I was not concerned when I did this as the water patrol at the reservoir I was at doesn’t hassle me. I’m always respectful when dealing with them and whenever they see me on the water they see that all my guests have life vests on. Thankfully, they do patrol the pwc riders on the water.
A few weeks ago one ran over my tow rope as we were at idle, a few minutes later I had to stop a tubing run because the same guy was getting to close in trying to jump my wake. I didn’t have to say a thing, the water patrol was on top of him before I could pull my tubers in. His excuse, he is a first time pwc user/renter. The water patrols response after the 5 minute lecture that included a threat to have him and his family kicked out of the park was a ticket. I was cheering silently when he took possession of it. Apparently, he didn’t learn anything nor relay any lessons to his guests as someone on that pwc got a ticket for speeding in the no wake zone. I assume, like the ticketing officer did, that the guy who got the ticket didn’t read the “no wake zone” text on the numerous buoys that he had to pass before entering the swim area.
