Freedom Boat Club – St. Joseph Office

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. Joseph, you can cruise Lake Michigan, explore the lower St. Joseph River and Morrison Channel, or paddle into the Paw Paw River. Lake Michigan beyond the harbor entrance is open water, with Silver Beach and Tiscornia Park marking the river mouth. The lower St. Joseph River offers a more sheltered ride, but the marked stretch from the mouth upstream to Hidden Isle is slow no wake; Morrison Channel is slow no wake too. The Paw Paw River joins the St. Joseph River in Benton Harbor and suits calm paddling. Trailer boats can launch at the City Boat Launch on Marina Island beside West Basin Marina.

Source: City of St. Joseph (sjcity.com)

From St. Joseph, boaters head to New Buffalo Public Marina, South Haven’s South Side Municipal Marina, and the St. Joseph River at Berrien Springs. New Buffalo has transient slips and day-use mooring within walking distance of shops, restaurants, parks and beaches. South Haven offers a floating dock just inside the Black River pier, making it easy to tie up and walk into town. Berrien Springs is an upriver access point for anglers; the St. Joseph River is noted for fishing, and the dam there requires a portage before continuing farther.

Source: NewBuffalo.com (michiganwatertrails.org)