The Sunset Marina

For a rented motor-driven boat or vessel with 15 horsepower or more, Washington law allows unsupervised operation from age 12 if the operator carries the required Boater Education Card; a personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16. An operator age 12 or older without a required card must be accompanied and under the direct supervision of a person age 16 or older who possesses a card. The card requirement generally begins at 12 for operators born after January 1, 1955. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 14. These rules are in RCW 79A.60.640 and 79A.60.190. Rental operators may set higher minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (app.leg.wa.gov)

Yes, Washington requires many recreational operators to carry a Boater Education Card rather than a traditional boating license. Operators age 12 or older who were born after January 1, 1955, must carry it when operating a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft meeting that threshold. The minimum operator age is 12 for these motorboats and 14 for personal watercraft; personal watercraft cannot be rented to anyone under 16.

Rental customers may instead complete and carry the State Parks approved safety checklist. Common exemptions cover people born before January 1, 1955, qualifying short term visitors and recent boat purchasers. A course completion certificate serves as a temporary card for 60 days. Washington State Parks administers the program.

Source: Washington State Parks Recreational Boating Safety Program (parks.wa.gov)

From Chelan, you can launch onto Lake Chelan at Lakeshore Marina and cruise the open lake to Manson Bay or Twenty-Five Mile Creek. Lakeshore Marina is the city’s practical starting point, with a launch, moorage and an enforced no-wake zone. Manson Bay is a marina stop near downtown Manson, with free day use docks and reservable slips. Farther along Lake Chelan, Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park offers another marina stop with a boat ramp, dock and fuel, making it useful for a longer day on the water.

Source: City of Chelan (cityofchelan.us)

For a day on Lake Chelan, boaters from Chelan can visit Lake Chelan State Park, Twenty-Five Mile Creek State Park and Stehekin. Lake Chelan State Park is a beach and picnic stop with a dock, swimming, picnic tables and concessions. Twenty-Five Mile Creek offers a marina, dock, fuel, groceries and a rocky beach, making it useful for refueling and a shoreside break. Stehekin is a roadless community reached by boat, foot or plane, with access to hiking and other outdoor activities in Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

Source: Washington State Parks (parks.wa.gov)