I know that to get a Coast Guard Master's license you
first have to show two years experience on the size (tonnage) of boat your
getting the license for.
Paul

Two years of pleasure boat ownership
isn't going to qualify you to sit for the exam unless you are *underway*, (not
at the dock), for eight hours or more for 360 of those 730 days. The CG has the
option to
reduce the hours requirement from 8-hours to 4-hours, and some districts do
almost routinely.

In actual practice, a very high percentage of people who apply for a six-pack
license based solely on pleasure boat ownership have lied about qualifying sea
service on the application form. There ought to be a check mark for "wink" and
"nod" at the bottom of the form.