Freedom Boat Club – Safe Harbor

The legal minimum depends on vessel class and power: Michigan has no minimum operating age for a motorboat of 6 horsepower or less. For more than 6 horsepower, unsupervised operation starts at 12 with a boating safety certificate. Under 12, operation through 35 horsepower requires that certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16; stronger boats are prohibited. Personal watercraft require age 14. Ages 14–15 need a certificate and either a parent, legal guardian, or designated adult 21 or older onboard, or within 100 feet while that adult operates another personal watercraft; independent operation starts at 16. Certificates are compulsory for motorboat operators born on or after July 1, 1996, and PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. Rental operators set their minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

Michigan requires a boating safety certificate rather than a recreational boating license for anyone born on or after July 1, 1996, operating a motorboat over 6 horsepower. A child under 12 may operate 6 to 35 horsepower only with a certificate and direct onboard supervision by someone at least 16, and may not operate more than 35 horsepower.

For personal watercraft, no one under 14 may operate. Ages 14 and 15 need a certificate plus either accompaniment by a parent, legal guardian or designated adult 21 or older, or operation within 100 feet of one; operators born after December 31, 1978, need a certificate. A renter who completes livery safety training may use the written rental agreement as a certificate only for the listed rental dates. Michigan DNR administers the program.

Source: Michigan Department of Natural Resources (michigan.gov)

From St. Clair Shores, you can boat Lake St. Clair, Anchor Bay, the Clinton River, the North Channel and the upper Detroit River. Lake St. Clair is an expansive shallow basin, while Anchor Bay is its shallow arm, with water gradually shoaling toward shore. The Clinton River offers a narrow, crooked, slow-no wake route entered through a marked dredged channel.

The North Channel is a buoyed passage through the St. Clair River delta alongside Harsens and Dickinson islands. At Windmill Point, Lake St. Clair empties into the upper Detroit River, a deep channel used by deep-draft vessels. Trailer boats can use 9 Mile Ramp; Blossom Heath and Lac Sainte Clair ramps are resident-only.

Source: City of St. Clair Shores (scsmi.net)

Boaters from St Clair Shores can make Lake St Clair day trips to Lake St. Clair Metropark, Walter and Mary Burke Park in New Baltimore, and Harsens Island at the St. Clair Flats. The Metropark draws crews to its marina and sandy swimming beach; Burke Park offers a dock, beach, boardwalk and picnic areas on Anchor Bay; and Harsens Island provides scenic delta waters, fishing and wildlife viewing in the St. Clair Flats State Wildlife Area. Together, they offer a beach stop, a waterfront town stop and a nature outing.

Source: Huron-Clinton Metroparks (metroparks.com)