Gaz&Rach

Hi

I'd like to buy a small boat when we get to Oz. I've never driven a boat before and Rachel keeps saying, 'you can't just buy a boat and go off in it!'. So I thought it'd be a good idea to find out how to go about learning to drive a boat and getting some sort of license.

If anyone already in Oz has had any experience of this it'd be good if I could get some info on this... cost, length of course,etc.

Thanks
Gary

MrsDagboy

Here in Qld you can do a course, takes 1 day & they give you a certificate to say you are competent that you then take to Qld Transport who issue you with a licence.

BTW, there are boats that you dont need a licence for eg displacement cruisers, houseboats etc but they arent what most people envisage buying when they want to buy a "Boat" .

NJJ

Dont know about QLD but for us in VIC it's as follows:


Take obscenely simple test at vicroads office

Pay obscene amount of money to vicroads

Pay amother obscene large amount of money for boat rego

go boating

oh, pay $15 or so for trailer licence plates

that's about it....

Forgot to add, fishing licence is much the same but without trailer fees or test (yet!)

MrsDagboy

Heres a link to the licensing requirements for Qld
http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/qt/msq.nsf/index/rec_licence

Heres the course we did - cost was around $130 for the day (Ive just remembered it was only 1 day not 2, sorry, will edit first post.)

http://www.abcboating.com/

Gaz&Rach

Thanks MrsDagboy

We'll be going Bayside too (eventually) so I'll prob be able to use the same one you did.

Cheers
Gary

mlbonner

I'm doing mine next sunday, will try and let you know how I got on

soapy©

anyone got a link for sydney ! didnt get my boat off santa, but im working on the wife

MrsDagboy

No probs Gary, we actually had alot of fun doing the course, they get you to drive one of their boats etc. Didnt know that you were heading our way, have you been over on the bayside website?

Michelle, see aboe, you'll have fun!

Soapy, try here http://www.abcboating.com/Greater%20...%20Centres.htm .

soapy©

aw, brill thanx very very much, if i get this out of the way then ive more chance of gettin the boat

anya4oz

I'm trying to imagine what the test would be like for a fishing licence?

If it's anything like some of the weird questions in the VicRoads theory test for drivers, like this:

Is this a fish?
Can you eat it?
Would you have Chardonnay or Chenin Blanc with it?
How many fishermen fall into the river/sea within their 1st 6 months of getting their fishing licence?
Should you be drinking beer or other alcoholic beverages on the riverbank, in any case?

Takes all the fun out of it...

Anya.

MarkMyWords

If two fishermen are trying to catch the same fish, who gets priority?
(a) The one on the left
(b) The one on the right
(c) The one with the biggest rod (oo-er missus)

mlbonner

I know, really looking fwd to it - I drive the boat anyway, but this way I might know what I'm doing!! (and before anyone says anything, its legal to drive a boat with a licenced person onboard, even if you're not! )

E=mc2

Forgive my ignorance but do I need a licence for a 3M tinny with a 15HP outboard engine that only goes up and down the Tweed and Maroochy rivers?

MrsDagboy

From http://www.msq.qld.gov.au/qt/msq.nsf/index/licensing

According to that - yep. Assuming of course that you live in Qld .

E=mc2

Oops! It appears that we have been boating (Is that the correct term) illegally for the last few Months, I better get a licence soon. Thanks MrsDagboy