Seattle Canoe & Kayak Club

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 Seattle, you can boat on Lake Washington, Lake Union, the Lake Washington Ship Canal, Shilshole Bay or Puget Sound. Magnuson Park launches directly into expansive freshwater Lake Washington, a good choice for a quieter lake day. From there, the Montlake Cut and Portage Bay reach Lake Union; the Fremont Cut and Salmon Bay continue to the Ballard Locks, which move boats between the freshwater system and Puget Sound. For saltwater boating, Eddie Vine Boat Ramp enters sheltered water behind the Shilshole Marina breakwater, with Shilshole Bay leading toward the broader Sound.

Source: Seattle Parks and Recreation and Seattle Public Utilities (seattle.gov)

Good day-trip destinations from Seattle include Blake Island Marine State Park, Eagle Harbor on Bainbridge Island and Kirkland’s Marina Park on Lake Washington. Blake Island is a boat-in-only stop with docks, mooring buoys, picnic facilities, beaches and trails. In Eagle Harbor, the city dock puts visitors beside Waterfront Park and within walking distance of downtown restaurants and shops. Kirkland’s Marina Park offers public moorage, a sandy beach and nearby downtown restaurants and shops, making it a convenient lunch-and-stroll destination.

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