American Yacht

Florida law requires you to be at least 18 to rent a livery vessel other than a human-powered vessel. Florida sets no general minimum age to operate a boat, but a personal watercraft operator must be at least 14.

Under section 327.395, anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, operating a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must carry the required boating safety credentials. An exemption applies when accompanied by a credentialed or exempt person age 18 or older who is attendant to the operation and responsible for safe operation and violations. The rental operator sets its own booking minimum subject to state law, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

Florida does not issue a boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1988, must carry photo ID and a Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission boating education card when running a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. There is no general minimum age for boats; personal watercraft operators must be at least 14, and no one under 18 may rent any vessel other than a human powered one. Exemptions include Coast Guard licensed masters, private lake or pond operators, operators accompanied aboard by someone 18 or older who holds the card or is exempt and is responsible for the vessel, and nonresidents with proof of a NASBLA-approved out of state course. Any non exempt operator may instead pass an FWC approved temporary certificate exam and carry that certificate with photo ID for 90 days.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (myfwc.com)

You can boat the Intracoastal Waterway, Lake Boca Raton, Lake Wyman, Boca Raton Inlet and the Atlantic Ocean from Boca Raton. Silver Palm Park is the city’s motorized launch and provides access to Lake Boca, the inlet and the ocean.

Lake Boca is a local anchoring, raft-up and sandbar stop. The Intracoastal crosses Lake Wyman through a marked dredged channel, while its route beyond Lake Boca enters a long land cut. Boca Raton Inlet connects Lake Boca to open water, but NOAA describes the inlet as narrow, shifting, unmarked and hazardous, making it appropriate for experienced operators in boats designed for open seas.

Source: City of Boca Raton (myboca.us)

Boaters from Boca Raton can head to Lake Boca Raton for anchoring and sandbar time; Deerfield Island Park for a boat-only Intracoastal nature stop with docks and trails; Beer Can Island near Boynton Inlet for low-tide shallows and views of inlet traffic; and Peanut Island for beaches, picnic areas and a snorkeling lagoon. These destinations give crews a choice of swimming, relaxing at anchor, exploring an island park or spending time ashore during a day on the water.

Source: Discover The Palm Beaches (thepalmbeaches.com)