Can a 13 year old drive a dinghy boat?

Question

i am a 13 year old girl and my family bought a big 42 foot sail boat. and we also have a dinghy boat. (a small boat so we dont have to drive the sail boat everywhere.) and i was wondering do you have to have a lincese to drive the dinghy. i wont be taking it anywhere but just driveing it around in an open area. i was wondering if that is okay. or do i have to have a lincese?

Answer 1

Yes, absolutely. And 13 is also more than old enough to start learning the ropes on the 42'.

Answer 2

me and my sister were 12 we both had little boats  a 7 foot one  a 10 foot...we drove all over the great south bay and rivers/creeks of long island... and upstate ny on hudson river...no licence

Answer 3

This depends on what country you live in.  In the UK no license is required, and youngsters can often be seen driving or rowing dinghys and tenders around.

It's always a good idea to get some instruction though.  Rather like you wouldn't take a car on the road without someone showing you how to do it.

Answer 4

yes

Answer 5

depends on your state and horsepower  12 and over in pa can drive any boat under 25hp without a lincese  im not sure if thats in every state in the usa or not  but i just bought a 85hpo 16ft boat and had to get my lincese for that thats how i know this go on yahoo and type in your state like myne was pa so i typed in pa boating laws so type your state and your good.

Answer 6

Yes, provided you have someone show you how to operate it, and always wear your life vest.  I've seen girls and boys younger than you with their own boats.