Licensing? among other things....

[USCGRET1990]

Originally Posted by duffer1960

Don't forget, when you are tied up to a dock, you can connect to standard 110 Volt AC electricity, just like a house. Then you can run your fridge and air conditioner.

Of course, you want a sailboat to sail, not stay at the dock. If you plan to stay at the dock, get a houseboat.

[labatt]

And just one point of clarification - you can have a fridge and freezer without a generator. I have two "4D" batteries (plus a third battery dedicated for starting the engine). In addition to the GPS, chartplotter, instruments, lights, fans, autopilot, VHF, stereo, and one or two laptops, it powers both a fridge and a freezer. The batteries are 12volt DC, so everything you get has to be able to support that - but there's a large boating supply industry and you can get pretty much anything you want in a 12volt version. When at a marina or dock, you can usually connect "shore power" to your boat. This means you bring in a higher amperage (30amp, 50amp, or other) AC connection to your boat which can then power your regular 120v AC electrical outlets and charge your batteries (with the appropriate equipment on board). You can also buy an inverter which will convert the DC output of your batteries to AC power
and allow you to use those AC outlets without being connected to shore power. If you need to power larger devices (70" plasma screen?) or air conditioning, you can buy a generator, but now you're talking a lot of bucks...

[USCGRET1990]

An avenue for less expensive 12V appliances are truck stops.

[GlenDC]

Your boat / trailer should be registered at your state MVA. No "driver license" but you might (and should) to take USCG class (free). As a skipper you will be responsible for your crew safety. Buy some good books and pass USCG or state safety exam. It's online and cheap ($15 in MD).

[Sapperwhite]

In Maryland, if you were born after 1972 you have to take a test administerd by the DNR. It costs about $15 to take. The content of the test is very general, and had ALOT of PWC(jetski) questions on it. Once you pass, it's good for life. The funny thing about it is, I know pleanty of complete idiots that were born before 1972. Since when is age an indication of intelligence? I know what you oldies are grumbling right now about wisdom coming with age and all that. However, you must admit that you too know a bunch of old idiots. Anyway, so yes, depending on the state and it's particular laws you may need a "License to Boat". Check the laws in the state you live in.

[Goodnewsboy]

1. The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) test , with the exception of some basic rules of the road, is a collection of pretty useless knowledge. (BTW, aren't you glad that such an association of bureaucrats exists?) The one I took actually claimed that the exam certificate was a necessary piece of safety gear! It is heavy on PWCs and I did learn that an inboard-outdrive is really a stern drive. That one item alone has probably already saved me from some awful fate.

2. No test or course will ever make everyone safe. The requirement is just another tax.

3. Contrary to assertions already made in this thread, there are as many idiots in any age group as in any other, but at least the infirmities of age tend to reduce the danger from the older set.

[tenuki]

Washington state is starting to require it, here is the info...

Boater Exam.com | Washington State Boating Safety Course and Exam

[Sapperwhite]

Sorry for the confusion, I did not mean to single out older idiots as the only idiots. Yes, there are many idiots belonging to every age group/ generation. I was only trying to point out that the requirement in Md. is based off of age. Just saying that because you were born before 72 doesn't mean you were born with inherent boating knowledge/skill. Yes you MAY have gained the boating experience through the years, but thats not always so.
Also, regarding the "tax" of this type of reguirement. The state only makes $15 per test/ oer boaters lifetime. The real money comes in when they find you out there boating without your papers and they fine the hell out of you. Now I feel more safe than ever!

[Goodnewsboy]

Bureaucracy is a communicable disease.

The taxes usually start out at a low figure that prevails until everyone is accustomed to paying it.

You are correct that the real money (for the state) lies in prosecution of the crime created by the licensing statute.

[GySgt]

I will start my classes in about 2 weeks for USS certification. Unless someone was born into it, I can't imagine getting out into the SF Bay with a "sailing for dummies book"

Yes I am excited
Yes I it is mid-life crisis
Yes I do realize that a new wife might be cheaper than learning how to sail, but not near as much fun.