Certification needed?

[gomer]

Ahoy admirals newbie here with newbie question (that I was not able to find through search.) I've just gotten a Seafarer 24'. I will be sailing this boat on Long Island, New York. I have experienced sailing, as I have done my fair share in Europe. However, my question is, in order to sail this boat, will I need to get some sort of permit/certification? From what I've read so far, it seems that I might need to get ASA 101 and ASA 103 certificied, but I'm not sure if this is mandatory or recommended.

Your help will be truly appreciated.

[TrueBlue]

No required certifications or permits are needed to operate a recreational boat, sail or power, in NY - to my knowledge at least.

It is highly recommended though, that you at least take a USCG or USPS boating course, especially if you're unfamiliar with operating a vessel in US waters.

[Freesail99]

The boating course is required for New Jersey waters

[chucklesR]

New York State Parks :: Boating Education FAQ

has all the answers and is better than memory

[sailingdog]

Not if the boat is registered in NY or CT.

Originally Posted by Freesail99

The boating course is required for New Jersey waters

[hellosailor]

Sailing ON Long Island is generally discouraged by the Highway Department. Sailing IN Long Island Sound is, on the other hand, pretty much a free-for-all. Aside from a NYS DMV registration for the boat, and meeting USCG basic safety equipment, you won't need anything. Your marina may require insurance, and your insurance company may also give a discount for a boating safety course--but that's just an option.

Ask ahead to find out what you'll need at the DMV office, and go to one that is used to registering boats. Or at least confirm what you'll need with a DMV office online, because some of the offices (like in Manhattan) will give you a blank stare, because they've just never dealt with a boat before. Or worse--they'll do it wrong, and make a royal mess. (Don't ask my why I know this.[g])

[boom2it]

You don't necessarily need to be registered in NY. I live in NJ where the boat is registered, and keep my boat in City Island NY. As long as the boat has a valid registration I believe is all that is needed, at least I hope this is the case considering I just changed it from NY to NJ.

[camaraderie]

Boom...I am afraid you are in violation of NYS law which cares ONLY where the boat s used. From the DMV site:
Does my boat require a registration?

The law requires you to register any boat that is motor-driven and is operated on public waterways in NYS. The boat requires a registration even if the motor is not the primary source of propulsion. If you operate the boat in NYS, you must register the boat with the DMV. After you register your boat, you receive a registration certificate that indicates the registration number assigned to your boat and a set of registration stickers.

[hellosailor]

" If you operate the boat in NYS, you must register the boat with the DMV. "
Not quite that simple, Cam.

From the NYS DMV web site:
NYS DMV - Frequently Asked Questions

Does my boat require a registration?
The law requires you to register any boat that is motor-driven and is operated on public waterways in NYS. The boat requires a registration even if the motor is not the primary source of propulsion. If you operate the boat in NYS, you must register the boat with the DMV. ...

What if my boat is documented by the US Coast Guard?
You must register the boat in NYS if:

the boat is not used for commercial purposes in NYS, and
the boat will be used on public waterways in NYS for 90 or more consecutive days. ..."



The average water cop or tax inspector at the docks may not be aware of that, or may not care. If a state tax inspector stops down to City Island (as they do) and takes lists of seasonal tenants (as they do) and see a seasonal rental with a NJ registration on the boat--he'll cite it for tax evasion and let the owner come to tax court to show proof that it doesn't apply, and the boat shouldn't be arrested. So if anyone is planning to use the USCG documentation with 89-day hops...make Real Damn Sure you get receipts and have a log proving you were out of state. The tax men here have heard it all before.

Now, if you get rid of the engine and have a true sailboat, rather than the "auxiliary sailboat" that most of us sail on...that's a whole other story. [g]

[pegasus1457]

Originally Posted by TrueBlue

No required certifications or permits are needed to operate a recreational boat, sail or power, in NY - to my knowledge at least.

Not quite right -- a safety course is required for the operation of jet skis in NYS