Safe Harbor Detroit River

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 Detroit, you can boat the Detroit River, pass Belle Isle, enter Lake St. Clair, or continue through the lower river to Lake Erie. St. Jean Boat Launch gives direct access to the upper Detroit River and Lake St. Clair; Riverside Park has another city riverfront launch. Fleming Channel beside Belle Isle is the marked main channel, while the island’s north channel is mainly for local and pleasure craft and skirts extensive shoals. Lake St. Clair is shallow near the Peche Island entrance. Farther downriver, the water broadens around islands and shallow expanses before dredged channels cross the Lake Erie shallows.

Source: City of Detroit (detroitmi.gov)

From Detroit, three practical day-trip destinations are Lake St. Clair Metropark, Peche Island and Elizabeth Park. At Lake St. Clair Metropark, transient docks put boaters near a sandy beach and picnic areas. In season, Peche Island in Windsor is an international option with a docking area, a rustic trail, river lookouts and picnic tables. Elizabeth Park offers a transient marina on the Detroit River, plus a riverwalk and park space for time ashore.

Source: Huron-Clinton Metroparks (metroparks.com)