Active Water Sports

Oregon sets no rental age in law; what it sets is who may operate. No one aged 11 or under may operate a motorboat. A 12- to 15-year-old may operate a boat of 10 horsepower or less without an adult, and one above 10 horsepower only when accompanied by a person 16 or older holding a boating education card, or 18 or older for a personal watercraft. From 16, a boating education card is required for any powerboat over 10 horsepower, personal watercraft included.

Renters get a specific break: the Marine Board exempts them from completing the education course, but they must complete a watercraft rental safety checklist before departure. The rental company sets its own minimum age.

Source: Oregon State Marine Board, oregon.gov/osmb (oregon.gov)

Oregon requires a Boating Safety Education Card rather than a boating license. Administered by the Oregon State Marine Board, it is required for operators 16 or older operating a powerboat, including a personal watercraft, over 10 horsepower; there is no birth-date cutoff. Children 11 and under cannot operate motorboats. Operators 12 to 15 need a card for any motorboat, may run 10 horsepower or less alone, and need a card-holding supervisor 16 or older for larger boats or 18 or older aboard a PWC.

Renters may use a signed Watercraft Rental Safety Checklist as a temporary card for rentals over 10 horsepower, but no one under 18 may rent a PWC. Other exemptions include Coast Guard licensees and licensed commercial fishermen.

Source: Oregon State Marine Board, oregon.gov/osmb (oregon.gov)

You can boat the Willamette River through Portland, the quieter Multnomah Channel, or the Columbia River and its islands. Launch at Willamette Park or Cathedral Park for a city run among bridges; currents and debris can be stronger after rain and near bridges. Sauvie Island Boat Ramp opens onto the quiet Multnomah Channel, which eventually connects with the Columbia. For direct Columbia access, use M. James Gleason Memorial Boat Ramp or Chinook Landing. Government Island is accessible only by boat and offers docks and a floating tie-up for a shore stop.

Source: Portland Parks & Recreation (portland.gov)

From Portland, boaters can plan Columbia River day trips to Government Island, Reed Island and the St. Helens Courthouse Docks. Government Island is accessible only by boat and offers shoreline stops, docks and a floating tie-up. Reed Island is a boat-in day-use park where visitors can beach their boats on the sand and enjoy the sandy beach or grassy meadows. The St. Helens docks provide an in-town waterfront landing with water and a sewage pump-out available.

Source: Oregon State Parks (stateparks.oregon.gov)