boater safety license course

[johnnyc08]

found this on craigslist and since im putting away $$$ for a buddys 12' bass boat and was told i need to do this if i want to use the motor and not row id have to do this then get the endorsement on my DL...anyone know if this is legit or BS? experience? worth the price? etc? its this sat at 9, one day course...feedback and input appreciated and TIA!

http://newjersey.craigslist.org/boa/2546681431.html

[Fishy-Mark]

I did mine online, then took the test at a VFW. You get a lifetime card, but nothing goes on your DL.

I took this course. You will spend about 8 hours online.

http://www.njboater.com/

[johnnyc08]

ok, so i can take the course and have a lifetime card but dont need anything on my DL?...the only thing i need to do at the DMV is register the trailer? or boat AND trailer? what was the cost of the online course? similar, more, less? PM me a link if you dont mind (would rather do it online on my own time than give up a saturday morning fishing lol)

sorry for all the questions, ive read WAY too many different things online that conflict so i figured id ask here for a solid answer

[johnnyc08]

just saw your edit, thanks! and just read thru it, the 1¢ id save doing it online would be lost in tolls and gas driving to the locations to take the final lol...ugh...maybe ill just call the hackensack one and feel them out and see if i get a 'scammer' vibe off of them or not

[acabtp]

It's probably fine, just check to make sure that they are licensed to do the course. I paid about $70 for a one day course when I did it.

What the course is is a safety class. When you successfully complete it, you are issued a "Boating Safety Certificate", which is good for the rest of your life. You then take that boating safety certificate to Motor Vehicles, and they will add the "Boat" endorsement to your driver's license.

[deeja1975]

And if you want to rent a boat you just need that certificate right?

[dboyd101]

Depends on the place, but usually yes, you need it to rent.

[deeja1975]

Do they make sure you pass the test??? In other words are you garunteed to pass?

[johnnyc08]

the place in hackensack im going to call tomorrow (called today kinda late and no one was there) 'claims' 98% success...a couple of guys i work with say the whole thing is easy as hell...will post back after i 1)talk to them tomorrow and 2)take and (hopefully) pass the course

[acabtp]

just pay attention during the class, and the test is really easy. it is mostly common sense. i got a 100% score on the test without trying.

[johnnyc08]

talked to the guy today, he said they are state police licensed and that itll be an 8 hour course, after passing i get a temp card right there and in roughly 2 weeks ill get the permanent card in the mail

[johnnyc08]

got home from the 8 hour course a lil while ago, we had an hour to take the exam, he said most usually finish in 30, i was done in less than 15 and got a 90

the application has the state police logo letterhead thing up top and the guy was very knowledgeable so i dont think it was a BS course at all

guys name was Frank Dudis (might even be a member here for all i know) and he was excellent! he does the course in all different places, not sure if hes got a site with a schedule but im sure one can be found...8 hours was a bit much and i had to down 2 redbulls at lunch to keep my attention up but THANK GOD its only a one time deal

[deeja1975]

Lucky you, I took the online course on boat ed and then came in for the inperson exam today. I unfotunately failed the exam with 16 out of 60 wrong. I was pretty pissed after paying all the money for the online course and the exam fee. The questions definitely were misleading if you ask me. The online quiz questiong made things much easier and I did learn more then I ever knew about boating but for someone like me who just wants to rent a dam boat in NJ I feel very ticked off. To throw away money like that and not get a certificate after was disappointing.

[acabtp]

Lucky you, I took the online course on boat ed and then came in for the inperson exam today. I unfotunately failed the exam with 16 out of 60 wrong. I was pretty pissed after paying all the money for the online course and the exam fee. The questions definitely were misleading if you ask me. The online quiz questiong made things much easier and I did learn more then I ever knew about boating but for someone like me who just wants to rent a dam boat in NJ I feel very ticked off. To throw away money like that and not get a certificate after was disappointing.
Study harder? No offense, but not knowing the rules on the water could put someone's life in danger, same as in a car or airplane.

[deeja1975]

Sorry??? It's would be great if I even knew what areas to study harder on but when I asked the douchebag that graded my paper what questions I missed he told me he couldnt tell me!!! NJ laws suck and it's all about profit not about safety. At one time you could walk into the DMV and ask for a temp Picture ID and be issued a boat lisence, no test required. At one time you could go rent a PWC DTS by just signing a waiver. Now they want you to pay $70 for a class and to take a test and yet don't garuntee anything. I mean ppl don't even pay that much to get there drivers permit and you sure as hell don't have to pay if you fail your written driving exam. Give me a break!!

[acabtp]

At one time there were a lot more accidents on the water too. If I were you, I would be upset with who taught the class, they are the ones who have failed you, not the state.

Also, drivers education costs at least $50 an hour for a minimum of 6 hours... so the boat license seems like a pretty good deal to me.

[deeja1975]

Not here to argue with u, I just don't see how taking a written exam assures you will know how to drive a boat. If you've never driven one with an experienced driver( like the way you must learn to drive a car) then you will never be as prepared for real situations on the the water until you actually experience them first hand. Passing a written course is all about money, bottom line. And for an instructor, his job should be to help educate you. If you fail and don't know what questions you missed, how would you know what you need to restudy? Just BS IN my opinion.

[johnnyc08]

got my card and certificate yesterday and showed a guy at work that has his and he said its the real thing so i guess this guy wasnt an actor scamming people...can never be too sure tho but yeah, hes legit

[joiseystud]

I did my online course at boaterexam.com and my proctored exam is scheduled for next Thur. I'll let you know how I do. For those who took the test, whats the biggest focus? ANyone take the online study and find that sections in the actual test werent covered online? Thanks