Answers to Boaters' Questions
Full lakes and good spring fishing means boaters are heading to the water. "It's spring in Oregon and we're busy," says Randy Henry, information officer for the Oregon State Marine Board. "We've got 500 to 700 boats registrations coming in daily right now. We're encouraging people to not wait to the last minute."
Henry says along with the seasonal surge in boating interest, the Marine Board is also getting many questions regarding registration, boater education and outboard motors.
Registration: For boaters who haven't registered their boat yet, now is a good time to do it. "If the weather is looking good for Memorial Day weekend, we'll have a long line of people waiting to register," says Henry. If you plan on boating within a few days, visit a registration agent and they'll issue a temporary permit good until your decals arrive in the mail, which takes about 3-4 weeks. If you send your registration renewal directly to the Marine Board, you will get your decals in just two weeks, but you won't have the temporary operators permit.
Mandatory Education: Henry says many boaters are asking questions about the state's new Mandatory Boater Education law. "Some people think they need a boater education card to operate a powerboat this year. They don't. The phase-in doesn't begin until 2003. No one needs a boater education card to operate his or her boat this year. Still, now is a good time to take a class." In 2003, all boaters 30 and younger will need a card to operate a boat greater than 10 hp. Some older adults will want to get their card by 2003, also, because youths 12-15 will need to be supervised by a card-holding adult when operating boats greater than 10 hp.
Henry advises people to check the Marine Board's web site at www.boatoregon.com for full details on the Mandatory Boater Education program as well as classroom and Internet courses to help them qualify for their boater education card.
Outboard Motors: Another common question regards the future of two-stroke outboard engines. A federal law now phasing in requires manufacturers to produce two-stroke marine engines that produce 75 percent fewer emissions by 2006 than were produced in 1996 when the law was adopted. "Most manufacturers are already producing engines that meet these standards. We encourage people to upgrade their smoky, inefficient two-strokes to these new engines. It's voluntary, though, and doesn't affect the motor you already own or the sale of used motors."
Henry says the new models are not only more fuel efficient, but they are smoother and quieter. "In the long run, the money you save on oil and gas may pay for the extra expense of the new-technology engine – and you're polluting less, too."
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