Larry,
I wasn't able to find a definitive answer on the Coast Guard site, it
just deals with commercial vessels. I've never read of anyone saying they
had trouble getting insurance because they didn't have enough experience for
a given boat size. 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

"Larry Hill" wrote in message
...

It all comes down to financing and insurance. Unless you own the boat
free and clear, you're going to need insurance. To get insurance, you
will need a qualified operator of the vessel. What that means is up
to the insurance company to decide.


IN OTHERWORDS, NO ONE WHO HAS ANSWERED SO FAR KNOWS FORE SURE!

They are just guessing. Any body out there know the answer? I don't.
Larry Hill

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.

Uh, that's not totally correct regarding the time frame. 2 years ( 720 days
at sea underway. They'll allow you 1.5 days per 8-12 hr days) will qualify
you for a maximum of 100 tons. After that, more time serving as Master,
Mate, or in a Supervisory Position is required.

"Paul Schilter" paulschilter@comcast,dot,net wrote in message
...
Larry,
I wasn't able to find a definitive answer on the Coast Guard site, it
just deals with commercial vessels. I've never read of anyone saying they
had trouble getting insurance because they didn't have enough experience
for
a given boat size. 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

"Larry Hill" wrote in message
...

It all comes down to financing and insurance. Unless you own the boat
free and clear, you're going to need insurance. To get insurance, you
will need a qualified operator of the vessel. What that means is up
to the insurance company to decide.


IN OTHERWORDS, NO ONE WHO HAS ANSWERED SO FAR KNOWS FORE SURE!

They are just guessing. Any body out there know the answer? I don't.
Larry Hill