Eagle Motorsports

You must be at least 12 to operate, without an adult aboard, an Arizona vessel powered by a motor greater than 8 horsepower. Under A.R.S. § 5-341(E), a child under 12 may operate that class of vessel in an emergency or when the child’s parent, legal guardian, or another person at least 18 is on board. Subsection F goes further: it is unlawful to allow anyone under 12 to operate any motor-powered watercraft at all, whatever its horsepower, except on those same terms. The statute speaks of watercraft generally and does not single out personal watercraft. Rental operators set their own minimum ages, so confirm the requirement when booking.

Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department (azleg.gov)

No. Arizona does not require recreational operators to hold a boating license or carry a mandatory boater education card, so there is no birth date cutoff and no special exemption for rental customers or temporary certificates. The Arizona Game and Fish Department administers voluntary boating safety education for boats and personal watercraft.

Arizona does restrict young operators: a person under age 12 may not operate a vessel with a motor greater than 8 horsepower, including a personal watercraft, unless an emergency exists or a parent, legal guardian, or another person age 18 or older is aboard.

Source: Arizona Game and Fish Department (azgfd.com)

From Bullhead City, boat the Colorado River or relaunch above Davis Dam on Lake Mohave. The in-town river reach is narrow and can be congested; Rotary Park provides a four-lane launch for heading onto this stretch. Lake Mohave is the broader-water alternative, reached from Katherine Landing because the dam separates it from the river below.

From Katherine Landing, South Arizona Telephone Cove offers a scenic, protected cove with a sandy beach, while Turkey Cove has protected, shallow water. These coves provide calmer alternatives to cruising Lake Mohave’s main channel.

Source: City of Bullhead City (bullheadcityaz.gov)

Boaters from Bullhead City can make Colorado River day trips to Big Bend of the Colorado, Davis Camp, Laughlin’s resort waterfront and Topock Gorge. Big Bend draws boaters for its sandy beach and swimming; Davis Camp offers maintained swimming beaches, shade ramadas and a boat launch; Laughlin’s riverfront casino docks connect visitors with the Riverwalk and dining; and Topock Gorge offers steep rock walls, wildlife viewing and petroglyphs visible from the river. The gorge is accessible only by river, making it a distinctive destination for a longer outing.

Source: Visit Laughlin (visitlaughlin.com)