Boating License Required?

Question

If you are from another state visiting California, and you rent a boat in California, do you need a boating license to operate said boat?

Answer 1

California does not require a license to operate a boat, though rental shops will usually require some form of valid identification for liability purposes.

A "boat license" here is for those that own a boat and want to operate it in CA waters. FYI: A sailboat over 8' and most all powerboats need to be registered and have numbers of a certain size and placement to be legal. The rentals will be registered to the owner of the business.

Answer 2

I don't know about California, but no license required in Maine or New Hampshire (the boat has to be licensed, not the driver).  I think you will need to show the rentee that you know how to handle the boat.  There is a big difference between a sail boat and a motor boat!