New York Safe Boating Training Manual

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Index

CHAPTER 1: The Boat

1.1 BOAT TERMINOLOGY

Specific terms are used to describe the various parts of a boat. Each end and side of the boat, its length and width, and its accessories have specific terms. Every boater should be familiar with the following terms before operating a boat.

1.2 BOAT LENGTHS

Boats are identified in classes by length. Federal and state laws require certain equipment aboard boats, depending on the class or length of the boat.

A boat's length is measured along its centerline from the outside of the bow to the outside of the stern. This measurement does not include any attachments, such as swim platforms or wakeboard towers or outboard engines.

Class A: Less than 16 ft.

Class 1: Between 16 and 26 ft.

Class 2: Between 26 and 40 ft.

Class 3: Between 40 and 65 ft.

1.3 BOAT HULL DESIGNS AND USES

Boat bottoms or "hulls" come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Each hull type is designed to either displace or plane through the water. Sailboats and large cruise ships use displacement hulls because the combination of their size (weight) and power they will not allow them to plane. On the other hand, smaller powerboats are typically built with planing hulls that are designed to rise up and ride on top of the water at higher speeds than displacement hull boats.

1.3.1 HULL TYPES

FLAT BOTTOM

Flat bottom boats are great for fishing. They are generally designed for slow speeds and calm water.

ROUND BOTTOM

Round bottom boats, such as canoes, move smoothly through the water with little effort. Boaters must be cautious when loading, entering and exiting a round bottom boat. Due to the hull design, these boats roll very easily.

DEEP-V HULL

The Deep-V hull is the most common hull type for powerboats. These boats move through rough water at higher speeds and give a smoother ride than flat bottom or round bottom boats. They also require larger engines than flat bottom or round bottom boats.

MULTI-HULL

Multi-hull boats are the most stable of the hull types. These boats require plenty of room to steer and turn. Catamarans and pontoon boats use the multi-hull design.

1.3.2 ENGINE TYPES

OUTBOARD

Outboard engines are mounted on the transom of the boat. The steering of outboards can be controlled by a hand tiller or a steering wheel, which moves the entire engine when steering is adjusted.

In the past outboards were typically two-stroke engines, but manufacturers have since switched to four-stroke engines. Two-stroke engines require oil to be mixed with gasoline to lubricate the engine and four-stroke engines require the oil and gasoline to be separate. Four-stroke engines, in addition to running quieter and smoother, are more environmentally friendly as the exhaust they emit is virtually smokeless compared to two-strokes.

Inboard

Inboard engines are typically four-stroke automotive engines that are modified for use on the water. An inboard engine is mounted inside the hull of the boat and powers the driveshaft, through the boat bottom, which is connected to a propeller. Steering is controlled by a rudder, positioned either directly behind or to the side of the propeller.

Stern Drives

Sterndrives are sometimes called inboard/outboards (I/O) because they have features found on both inboard and outboard engines. Similar to inboards, sterndrives use four-stroke automotive engines that are modified for use on the water. Sterndrive engines are mounted inside the boat through the transom, and power the drive train, which is connected to the propeller. Similar to outboards, the sterndrive moves when the steering wheel is adjusted.

1.4 BOAT CAPACITIES

Be aware of the small-vessel regulations pertaining to engine power and load capacity. Federal law mandates that boats of less than 20 feet in length must have a capacity plate in the steering or helm area. As a boat owner or operator, you should know the recommended gross load capacity that can be safely carried in the hull concerned:

It includes the total weight of persons, equipment, stores, fuel, engine assembly and steering controls.
It is indicated with the "equivalent number of adult persons."
It is indicated on a capacity plate, which, when fitted, is permanently attached to the pleasure craft.

THE CAPACITY PLATE ALSO INDICATES THE "RECOMMENDED SAFE LIMITS OF ENGINE POWER" FOR THE HULL CONCERNED. IT MAY NEVER BE EXCEEDED. THIS CALCULATION IS BASED ON THE RECOMMENDED GROSS LOAD CAPACITY FOR OUTBOARD POWERED BOATS ONLY.

1.4.1 OVERLOADING OR OVER-POWERING

An overloaded boat or over-powered boat can be extremely dangerous. An over-powered boat may cause the stern to sit lower in the water, making the vessel susceptible to being swamped by its own wake or that of a passing boat. Similarly, too much weight in the stern or the bow will make the vessel prone to swamping. Additionally, it is important to spread the load evenly throughout the vessel. Too much weight on either side will make the vessel less stable and more apt to capsize. Take extreme caution in loading your vessel properly.

BEWARE OF BAD WEATHER! TAKE MUCH LIGHTER LOADS IN POOR WEATHER CONDITIONS TO ENSURE BOAT STABILITY.

1.4.2 SAFE LOADING GUIDELINES (FOR SMALL BOATS)

To determine the maximum horsepower capacity for small, flat-bottomed boats, multiply the boat length (ft.) by the transom width (ft.) and compare the resulting value to the following chart:

EXAMPLE
BOAT LENGTH = 12 FT.
BOAT WIDTH = 4FT.
12 FT. X 4 FT. = 48
MAX HP OF 15

LENGTH X WIDTH =	MAX HP
35 FT OR LESS	3
36 - 39 FT	5.5
40 - 42 FT	7.5
43 - 45 FT	10
46 - 52 FT	15

1.4.3 PERSON CAPACITY

Manufacturers take a number of variables into account when determining the maximum person capacity for a boat (which is displayed on the capacity plate). The maximum person capacity is a guideline. Keep in mind that most manufacturers assume an average weight per person of 150 lb. If you have passengers over 150 lb., you should adjust the maximum person capacity accordingly.

1.5 HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER (HIN)

All pleasure craft manufactured since 1972 are permanently marked with a Hull Identification Number (HIN), which is the 12-character serial number of your vessel. To identify your vessel, HINs are marked at the stern on the starboard (right) side, or as close to that area as possible. You must NOT deface or alter the HIN.

THE HIN INDICATES THE BOAT'S

Manufacturer
Serial number
Month and year of production

1.6 BOAT REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

1.6.1 BOAT REGISTRATION AND NUMBERING

All powered boats must be registered. Some other boats must be registered as well.

FEDERALLY DOCUMENTED VESSELS

Large recreational boats can be federally registered with the U.S. Coast Guard.

RECIPROCITY REGULATIONS

All states allow boats registered in another state to operate on state waters for a period of time. Eventually, owners must transfer boat registration to the state of principal use.

1.6.2 NEW YORK REGISTRATION REQUIREMENTS

New York State Office of Parks, Recreation and Historic Preservation: is responsible for regulating the state boating laws in the state of New York.

1.6.2.1 REGISTRATION/TITLING

All vessels propelled by machinery, including gasoline, diesel and electric motors, and principally operated on New York waters must be registered and issued a New York Certificate of Registration by the NYS Department of Motor Vehicles. The following vessels are exempt from state registration requirements:

vessels operating commercially with either a U.S. or foreign document
vessels legally registered in another state (up to 90 consecutive days maximum)
foreign registered boats temporarily using New York State waters.
lifeboats (not including tenders and dinghies)
competition race boats
non mechanically propelled vessels
government vessels

In order to register a vessel, the owner must complete Motor Vehicles form MV-82B (application for registration), have the appropriate registration fee, provide proof of ownership, and proof of payment of sales tax (may be paid to Motor Vehicles at time of registration). If this is a new boat or a vessel being registered for the first time, the owner will also need to bring the original certificate, or statement, of origin from the manufacturer, along with a bill of sale with them to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

In addition, the Department of Motor Vehicles issues titles to all vessels with a model year of 1987 or newer which are at least 14 feet in length. The title is clear proof of ownership which must be surrendered to a new owner at time of transfer. If the vessel is less than 14 feet, or built before 1987 then the registration certificate serves as the proof of ownership and must be signed over to a new owner.

Two validation stickers will be issued at the time of registration. These stickers will display the month and year of registration expiration. Validation stickers are to be affixed to the hull, in line with, and no further than three inches aft of, the registration number.

TRANSFER OF TITLE

Boat title transfers must be made within 30 days of purchase to avoid a late penalty. Please contact the New York State DMV for further information.

1.6.2.2 CERTIFICATE OF REGISTRATION

The registration certificate is your proof of current registration. It may also be your only proof of ownership unless the vessel is titled or documented. Vessel operators, whether they are the owner or not, must carry the vessel's original certificate of registration onboard at all times.

Change of Ownership

When a vessel is sold, the certificate of registration or title must be signed over to the new owner. The original owner should notify the Department of Motor Vehicles of the name and address of the new owner, as well as the date of transfer and the registration number of the vessel. In order to protect yourself when transferring ownership of any vessel, the validation stickers should be removed from the hull prior to turning the boat over to the new owner. This will ensure that the new owner will not use the vessel until it has been properly registered with Motor Vehicles in his or her name.

Change of Address

The owner of any registered vessel must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles within ten (10) days of a change in address. This change should also be noted on the registration certification.

Boat Lost or Stolen

If a boat is stolen, lost, abandoned, or destroyed, the owner must notify the Department of Motor Vehicles in writing within fifteen (15) days. The local law enforcement agency should be notified when a lost or stolen boat is recovered.

Renewals

The Department of Motor Vehicles will send you a registration renewal at the appropriate time. Check to see that all information on the renewal is correct, then sign and return the renewal notice along with the specified fee.

1.6.2.3 REGISTRATION FEES

Vessels with propulsion machinery:

REGISTRATION ITEM	FEE	SURCHARGE
VESSELS LESS THAN 16'	$18	$3
VESSELS 16' TO LESS THAN 26'	$36	$36
VESSELS 26' OR LONGER	$36	$15

Successful registration results in a certificate of number, physical boat numbers and a decal. Your registration MUST be kept on board the vessel at all times.

The registration number consists of the letters NY followed by four numbers and two letters. A space, or hyphen, the width of a letter, must separate the first and last two letters from the four middle numbers (NY 1234 AB or NY-1234-AB). The numbers must be painted or permanently attached to both sides of the vessels bow, should read from left to right, be of block letters not less than three inches in height, and of a color that contrasts with that of the hull.

The registration number should be the only number on the forward half of the vessel and should be clearly visible and readable from a distance of at least one hundred (100) feet during daylight hours. This number may not be transferred to another vessel.

Proper display of registration numbers and decal

1.6.2.4 DOCUMENTED VESSELS

Some larger vessels owned by U.S. citizens may be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard. Owners of vessels which are documented exclusively for pleasure and which operate principally within NYS must apply to the Department of Motor Vehicles for a registration certificate and are required to display the appropriate validation stickers. The Department of Motor Vehicles will not issue a title or a New York State registration number to a documented vessel, however you will receive a registration certificate with your document number printed on it and a set of validation stickers. The stickers should be placed in line with and no further than three inches aft of, where the New York State registration number would be placed. The documented vessel must carry its documentation and the New York State registration at all times when the vessel is in use.

1.6.2.5 PROOFS OF OWNERSHIP

Acceptable proofs of ownership are as follows:

Manufacturer's statement or certificate of origin (MSO or MCO)
NYS or out-or-state title
NYS or out-of-state transferable registration
USCG Document or a document issued by a foreign government

Any transfer of information must be properly completed. Proof of ownership must be accompanied by the bill of sale which contains both the sellers and purchasers names; a description of the boat including hull identification number (HIN); year, make and length; purchase price and registration number (if previously registered in NYS). If the boat passed through the hands of more than one purchaser since it was last registered, you must supply valid bills of sale from one purchaser to the next showing continuity of ownership from the last registrant to yourself.