First, take the USCG boating safety course. Wait a while before taking
the trip until you get some experience with the boat. I have been "up
the coast" to the Hudson many times. It is a favorite October trip.

You may want to look at my website about the abandon ship and life
jacket page.

Capt. Frank Hopkins

http://www.home.earthlink.net/~aartworks



gmar wrote:

Hello all,

I was hoping that soneone could answer a question for me. In the near
future I will be in the market for a boat that I can take out onto the
ocean. my plan is to travel from NY to FL along the eastren us. I do
not have any experience driving a boat.

That being said, I am looking for information on any license that may
be needed. I have been told that a open water pilot license is
required. Is this true ? If so how do I go about getting one. If
not is there someplace that offers training ?

I would like to have a good idea of what I am doing before I make any
purchase. I have spent enough time at/on the ocean to know this much,
the minute you stop respecting it, it kills you. I would like to ovid
that.