Boater Safety Certification

[bullitt]

I just successfully passed the Boater Safety Certification Test that the MSWP now requires for anyone born after 1984. It's 75 questions, and no pushover. It also costs $15 to take the test, and $15.50 for the permanent card. All persons born after 1984, MO res or NON res must be certified to operate a boat or PWC on MO waterways.
I took the test because it may help on my ins premium(update when I have info), and because I think ANYONE who operates a boat should take a test. That said, I think the price is ridiculous, and the proof S/B a letter code on your Drivers Liscense like for a motorcycle. But, this is from the same state that makes you carry a friggin' bumper sticker as a fishing permit.
I mainly wanted to post up for those with kids under 20 that may intend to operate a boat or PWC this year. I had never heard of this new law and I'm sure others are in the same....er, uh, boat.
The link is www.mswp.dps.mo.gov for the test and info.
Thus endeth todays Public Service Announcement.

[coyotewhacker]

Bullitt...I agree with you 100%. MDC started publicizing the new requirement back last fall on tv from time to time.
I learned to pilot a boat back when Lewis and Clark were crossing rivers in boats made from buffalo hides, but I will probably take the course just so I will be familiar with the rules of the road. IMHO, every person who operates a power boat should be required to take the course, and pass the test, just as a car driver is required to pass a test. I have observed , and you have too, a very high percentage of boaters either don't know what the laws are, or they don't give a sh$t...either way, eventually they will be involved in a boating accident. It's scary when some guy doing 70 mph in a high performance boat comes flying up the left side of the channel aimed right at your bow, and shoots you the finger for being in his way. It's that way on every Missouri lake I have been on so far.

[bullitt]

The bigger the boat, the bigger the a$$ behnd the wheel.

If it doesn't have a TM, it shouldn't be allowed above the Shell Knob bridge. How's that for old and cranky!

[powerdivehome]

I get a kick outta the fact that you have to register your trailer and your outboard. They actually did away with the trolling motor registration a few short years ago. For cri-yi.

Move here, and yup, it's true--your property taxes are lower. But add in all the other taxes and such (including PERSONAL property--whoever heard of THAT?), and Missouri doesn't look so good after all.

Oh, sorry--got off on a tangent there. Congrats, Bullitt!

[coyotewhacker]

From what I have observed, the size of boat does not correlate to the a$$ at the wheel or tiller or fly bridge.
I've had old guys in a 14 ft jon boat with their wife sitting on the front bench cut me off in a tight turn on Pomme de Terre.
Missouri property taxes....the state that keeps on taking.
And taking....and taking.

[Tablerock]

How about this....Any boat over 28 feet has to be driven at idle speed when in any of the major creek arms on Tablerock Lake. The last few years we've got 30 to 55 foot boats coming into Cow Creek with their nose in the air, plowing a 6 foot wave. We actually keep a arc welder on the dock, spare bolts, and tools. Things get broken almost daily in the summer. It just doesn't seem right.
Signed, Older and crankier....

[counts]

While were at it, how about a statewide law making PWC's illegal to ride on Sat. and Sun. Yeager lake in IL has this rule, and it works great for fishermen.

[Triton X2]

Counts I have a better idea...Let's make a season on em...You know how about a daily limit of 3 or 5 with a posession limit of 50 or more...You can take them with any method..

Tablerock, which of the docks are your's? I am back in there a lot and I assume it is some of those on the right going back in on the right? Next time I come in there I will make sure I idle. I do fish in those pockets quite a bit. In fact, I caught a 7 1/2 and a 5 on the bank between them last year in March...On a grub...

[Tablerock]

Triton, Coming in to Big Cow, on the right, the first set of 4 docks isn't where I have a slip. It's the next cove where there is 2 docks. I'm in the dock that is farthest back in the little cove.
Bass boats aren't the problem. It's those big, ocean going giants that tear everything up. And they certainly don't seem to care.

[Hellbender]

I would like the law to read, idle speeds, within 100 yards of the shoreline in any creek arm and idle speeds only in secondary coves. No exceptions.