California boating and alcohol laws

It is illegal in the State of California to operate any boat while under the influence of alcohol, drugs or a combination thereof. In addition, no person who is addicted to any drug shall operate any boat, water-skis or similar device. 

A person is considered to be under the influence if:

• They are 21 years of age or older and have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) of 0.08 or higher
• They are less than 21 years of age and have a BAC level of 0.01 or higher

Penalties for drinking and boating

Penalties for a person under the age of 21 convicted of boating under the influence may include a fine of up to $250 and participation in an alcohol education or community service program.

A person 21 years of age or older, who is convicted of operating a boat while under the influence will be subject to up to a $1,000 fine and up to 6 months in jail.

CALIFORNIA BOAT REGISTRATION

Vessels may be registered at any California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) location. Upon successful registration the DMV will issue physical boat numbers, a Certificate of Number as well as a Certificate of Ownership. Your registration must be kept on board the vessel at all times. Ensure you keep the registration in good condition – a dry-bag is recommended.

At minimum, boat owners must have a temporary Certificate of Number before they can operate in California state waters. Upon receipt, the permanent Certificate of Number must be signed and carried on-board at all times. All registration fees are paid to the DMV. Vessels are registered for a maximum period of 2 years. After the 2 year period the vessel must be registered again.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles must be notified within 15 days if the boater changes residences. Boat owners are required to keep the title of their boat in a safe place. 

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN CALIFORNIA

• Vessels 8 feet or less in length propelled by sail (i.e. sailboards)
• U.S. Coast Guard Documented Vessels
• Vessels that are currently registered and kept in another state (if less than 90 days of use in California)
• Vessels that are registered in another country
• Manually propelled vessels such as a canoe, kayak or SUP
• Certain vessels owned by public agencies
• Ship’s lifeboats used solely for lifesaving purposes

BUYING A USED BOAT IN CALIFORNIA

There are a variety of things for California boaters to consider when buying a new boat. The California Division of Boating and Waterways offers a Used Boat purchasing guide to answer all of the questions you may have. You can download a copy at dbw.parks.ca.gov 

SELLING A USED BOAT IN CALIFORNIA

A person selling a used boat in the state of California must notify the department within 5 days of the sale of the vessel by submitting a Notice of Release of Reliability, providing the boat information, name and address of the buyer, and the date of sale. 

The Certificate of Ownership must be provided to the buyer with the owner’s release signature on Line 1 of the title. 

For more information on selling a used boat in the State of California, visit dmv.ca.gov 

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN CALIFORNIA?

Boats in California are not required to be insured, however it is recommended. 

Boats must be properly marked. This is a federal and state of California requirement. Boaters can be fined for a lack of proper documentation and/or display of registration.

Registration numbers must:

• Be affixed on both sides of the bow
• Be block letters, three inches high and in contrast to the color of your boat
• Have spaces or hyphens between numerals and letters

Do I need a pleasure craft license?

In California, Personal Watercraft (PWCs) must adhere to the same rules and regulations as any other powerboat. This includes registration with the state of California and PWCs must be fitted with a B-1 Class Fire Extinguishers.

Hours of Operation

PWCs may only be legally operated from sunrise to sunset.

Age Requirements

All operators of PWCs in California must be at least 16 years of age or older to operate without adult supervision.

California PWC Regulations

• PWC operator as well as all passengers must be wearing a PFD.
• All PWCs operated on California waterways are required to have a kill switch with lanyard or a self-circling device. The lanyard must be fastened to the operator, his/her clothing or PFD.
• PWC operators cannot wake jump within 100 ft of the stern of another vessel.
• When towing someone (i.e. waterskier, or on a tube) there must be enough seating capacity on the PWC to accommodate the operator, the observer and the person being towed.
• Local municipalities may restrict PWC operation in certain zones.
PWCs must operate at slow-no-wake speed at a maximum 5 mph limit under the following conditions:
• Within 200ft of a surfer, diving flag, bank or wading angler, dock, swim float, boat launch, ramp, pier, marina, floating home, moorage area, or boathouse
• Within 100ft of a swimmer
• Within 200ft of shoreline on all lakes, reservoirs, and bays with bathers

Non-native Aquatic Species

Non-native aquatic species, plants, fish and animals are invading California’s waters. These pests can increase dramatically under the right conditions, displacing native species, clogging waterways, and impacting navigation and recreation.

Once introduced, they are nearly impossible to eliminate. Hydrilla, Egeria Densa, water hyacinth, quagga and zebra mussels are nuisance species that can be accidentally transported by recreational boaters when caught in propellers, intakes or attached to hulls. Controlling Water Hyacinth and Egeria Densa is a multi-million dollar problem.

Be sure to report new infestations of non-native aquatic species to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (209) 946-6400.

Help prevent the spread of non-native species

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water.
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props.
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land. 
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.