SailTime Milwaukee-Racine

At 12, a person may operate a motorboat without supervision in Wisconsin after completing a boating safety course accepted by the Wisconsin DNR. Ages 10 or 11 may operate only with a parent, guardian, or designated adult at least 18 who has a valid boating safety certificate or was born before January 1, 1989. Ages 12 through 15 may use that supervision option instead of certification. Operators 16 or older born on or after January 1, 1989 must have completed an accepted course. No one under 12 may operate a personal watercraft, no one under 16 may rent one, and operators 12 or older must be certified; adult supervision is no substitute. The rental operator sets its own minimum, so confirm it when booking.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

Wisconsin does not require a general boating license, but operators born on or after January 1, 1989 generally need boating safety certification or an accepted out of state equivalent and must carry proof aboard. The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources administers the rule. No one under 10 may operate a motorboat. For motorboats other than personal watercraft, qualifying adult accompaniment is allowed for operators age 10 and older instead of certification. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 12, and those subject to the cutoff must be certified; accompaniment is not a substitute, and renters must be at least 16. Rental customers 16 or older may use the state rental education certificate, valid through that calendar year only for watercraft they rent. People born before the cutoff are exempt.

Source: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (dnr.wisconsin.gov)

From Racine, you can cruise the Root River into Racine Harbor, then pass through the harbor entrance onto open Lake Michigan for a shoreline run toward Wind Point. Racine Harbor sits at the river mouth and is the calmer choice because its outer basin reduces wave action in the lower river; slow-no-wake speed applies throughout the harbor, although strong winds can still bring considerable waves. Pershing Park Boat Launch on Fifth Street provides trailer access, while Reefpoint Marina offers slips inside Len Ziolkowski Harbor Park. The Root River becomes narrow and shallow upstream. Near Wind Point, watch for charted shoals.

Source: NOAA Office of Coast Survey (nauticalcharts.noaa.gov)

From Racine, boaters can make Lake Michigan day trips to Kenosha Harbor, Milwaukee’s McKinley Marina, and Port Washington’s downtown marina. Kenosha Harbor has transient slips at Southport and Simmons Island marinas; Southport also places boaters within walking distance of downtown dining and lakefront attractions. McKinley Marina offers transient berths, fuel, marine supplies, and a seasonal beer garden on Milwaukee’s lakefront. Port Washington is a longer outing, with transient dockage in its historic downtown near the Harborwalk, breakwater lighthouse, parks, and beaches.

Source: Visit Kenosha (visitkenosha.com)