Outboard Center

In California you must be 16 or older and hold a California Boater Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft. Someone aged 12 to 15 may operate that same class only while supervised on board by a person at least 18 who is also in possession of a California Boater Card. The supervising adult needs the card, not just the years. State Parks' Division of Boating and Waterways administers it. The rental company sets its own minimum rental age, often higher, so confirm it when booking.

Source: California State Parks, Division of Boating and Waterways, dbw.parks.ca.gov and californiaboatercard.com (parks.ca.gov)

California requires a Boater Card, rather than a conventional boating license, for most recreational operators of motorized vessels. Since January 1, 2025, the requirement applies regardless of age and includes personal watercraft. Operators generally must be at least 16 for vessels over 15 horsepower; ages 12 to 15 may operate only if supervised on board by an attentive adult 18 or older, and must either hold a card themselves or be supervised by a cardholder.

Rental vessel operators are exempt. Exemptions also cover direct supervision and qualifying temporary visitors. Approved applicants may print a 90-day temporary card while awaiting the permanent card. California State Parks’ Division of Boating and Waterways administers the program.

Source: California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (parks.ca.gov)

From Redding, choose Shasta Lake, Whiskeytown Lake or the Sacramento River. Shasta is the wide open option for cruising, towing and wake sports; rentals serve the reservoir, and the McCloud River flows into the lake. Whiskeytown offers quieter sections: launch at Brandy Creek, Oak Bottom or Whiskey Creek, then expect marked no-wake water in Brandy Creek Marina and Beach, Oak Bottom Channel and the upper Whiskey Creek Arm.

For a narrower, current-driven outing, use Lake Redding Boat Ramp or Riverside Boat Ramp on the Sacramento and continue toward Balls Ferry. The state guide describes this reach as scenic but warns of eddies and submerged obstacles.

Source: Visit Redding (visitredding.com)

Boaters from Redding head to four boat-access destinations on Shasta Lake: Arbuckle Flat on the Pit Arm for a quieter setting away from crowds; Gooseneck Cove on the upper Sacramento Arm for a popular waterside camp; Greens Creek on the McCloud Arm for another secluded stop; and Ski Island near Mariners Point, which is especially popular in summer.

All four have vault toilets but no piped water, and visitors must pack out what they bring. Access can become more difficult as lake levels fall.

Source: Shasta-Trinity National Forest (fs.usda.gov)