Want To Wakeboard, Water Ski, & Jet Ski? Free Coast Guard Boat License Course Guide Outline

how to get started wakeboarding water skiing and boating


Water skiing and wake-boarding are fun ways to get in some great exercise while taking in plenty of fresh air and Vitamin D. Even jet-skiing can be a bit of a workout if you're going fast enough where it requires some effort to hold on tightly during your ride. Owning a boat or jet ski certainly isn't frugal, but finding a friend or family member who owns one sure is! But if you're pitching in to rent or buy a boat, chances are you'll need (or should have) a boating license. Here is my Frugal Fitness coast guard approved boating license course personal outline / study guide that I'm using to get my license in New Hampshire and Massachusetts this summer.

Also enjoy a free travel plyometic workout to help you enjoy your watersports even more!


how to start jetskiing

PWC: Personal Water Craft / Ski Craft (Inbound Vessels)

PFD: Personal Flotation Device

Hull Identification  Number (HIN):

12 Digit # Assigned to Vessels After 1978

Ski Craft: Motorized Vessel Les than 13 Feet Long, Can Exceed 20 MPH, Capacity of 1 Operator and 1 Passenger
Port:             Left Side
Starboard:   Right Side
Bow:             Front 
Stern:           Back

Bilge:            Curved part of boat bottom
Hull:             Body of Boat

Gunwale:     Upper edge of boat's side

Fueling Up:
- Refuel away from water or on commercial fueling ramp
- Dock boat securely and passengers exit
- Check all fuel lines, connections, and fuel vents
- Turn off engines, fans, or electrical equipment
- Shut off fuel valves, extinguish flames, galley stoves, pilot lights
- Close all windows, ports, doors, and other openings to prevent fumes from entering the boat
- Remove portable fuel tanks and fill them on the dock
- Keep nozzle of the fuel-pump hose in contact with the tank opening to prevent producing a static spark
- Avoid spilling fuel into boat bilge or water
- Never fill your gas tank to the brim or tip a PWC or ski craft
- If equipped with a power ventilation system, turn it on for at least 4 minutes after fueling and before starting engine to remove gas vapors in the bilge. 
- Wipe up any spilled fuel
- Open all windows, ports, doors, and other openings
- After filling PWC, open engine compartment and sniff to check for any evidence of gas fumes before starting the engine.

Types Of Vessel Hulls:
1) Displacement
2) Planing

Hull Shapes:
1) Flat Bottom
2) Round Bottom
3) Vee Bottom

Vessel Length Classes:
1) Less Than 16 Feet
2) 16 - 26 Feet
3) 26 - 40 Feet
4) 45 - 60 Feet

Impeller:
Device used to pump and force water under pressure through a steering nozzle at the rear of the vessel. 

Stern Drive & Inboard Engines: 
Automotive Engines Adapted For Marine Use

Fuel Selector Switch on a PWC or Ski Craft: 
- Off position when engine turned off 
- On position while underway 
- Reserve position if you run out of fuel underway

Preventing Theft:
- Chain & lock motor & fuel tanks of vessel
- Title and register your vessel
- Mark or engrave all equipment with ID such as license #

Float Plan:
- Describe vessel: HIN, length, make, horsepower, engine type
- State, route departure / return time. Name, address, telephone

Departure Checklist:
- Check weather
- Make sure steering & throttle controls operate properly
- Check for fuel or oil leaks
- Check hose connections for leaks or cracks, hose clamps tight
- Drain water from engine compartment, bilge plug replaced & secure
- Check if engine battery is fully charged and fire extinguishers
- Check ignition safety switch and wrist lanyard are in good order
- Make sure you have required number of PDF's in good condition
- Leave float plan with friend or relative

Encountering Vessels w/ Limited Maneuverability:
- Motorized Vessel: Give way to anchored, disabled, restricted, large, commercial fishing, or sailboat vessels
- Sail Vessel: Give way to all above including vessels you are overtaking in speed

Stand-On Vessel: Vessel maintaining its course and speed
Give-way Vessel: Vessel taking early action to avoid collision via stopping, slowing down, or changing course.

Meeting Head On:
1) Power vs. Power: Neither is Stand-On, both keep to starboard
2) Power vs. Sail: Powerboat is giveaway vessel

Crossing:
1) Power vs. Power: Vessel on the operator's port is giveaway. Vessel on right is operator's starboard side is stand-on vessel.
2) Power vs. Sail: Powerboat is give-way vessel, sailboat: stand-on



boating license course test answers

Well there you have it, a quick frugal fitness abbreviated guide to help you get your boating license in NH or MA and enjoy the great outdoors.

Oh yeah, make sure you have some good health insurance and life insurance! Haha just kidding, for the most part...

This of course is just my outline and not the entire course by any means but I hope this free coast guard boating license course guide helps you enjoy a fun and fit summer in New England or beyond! Enjoy your water skiing, jet skiing, and wake-boarding! 

More Frugal Fitness Finds Below

New Frugal Finance Blog Posts & Articles