Boat in the Lake

It depends on his age... here are the TX boating laws:

Completion of a boater safety class is required to operate a boat if you were born after September 1, 1984. Boat safety classes are taught by the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadron, and trained volunteers at locations across the state, with online and home-study boating safety course options available upon request.

Who May Operate a Vessel
Operators must meet the age and boater education requirements shown below in order to operate any of the following vessels legally in Texas:

A powerboat powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more or …
A personal watercraft or …
A windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.
A person less than 13 years of age may operate only if he or she is accompanied on board by a person who is 18 years of age or older.

A person 13 through 17 years of age may operate only if he or she:

Has passed a boater education course approved by the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department or …
Is accompanied on board by a person who is 18 years of age or older.
All persons required to have passed a state-approved boater education course must carry with them on the vessel:

Photographic identification, such as driver’s license or student I.D., and …
A boater education certification card issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department upon successful completion of a boater education course.

A current drivers license usually. In Michigan, you can take a class and get a boaters license if you are 12 and over.

You should check with the office at the lake you are going to take it to and the Texas Parks and Wildlife Dept. Find out what the requirements are. For instance, all kids have to have a life vest on at all times and there has to be a life vest available for each adult on the boat. If you fish there will be a fishing license required.

This doesn't answer your question, but docking and storage fees can be huge (least they are around here), better have him look into to too.

Enjoy it, I'd LOVE to have a boat (especially since I live on Saratoga Lake).

:)

My husband and I are old enough that we just carry our drivers license ( Born before 1984) but you always need to make sure your tags are up to date on your boat and trailer and you have all the state required safety gear on your boat (life jackets, fire extinguisher, registration bla bla bla) . They will check, especially on holiday weekends. We have 2 boats, and 2 kids (3yrs and 10 months) and we go to the lake ALL the time as a family and our kids have a blast. Good luck on your purchase

Double check the TX laws.

My husband had boat fever a few years ago and II was adamant about NO BOAT. I didn't want to spend all my weekends on the water, we don't fish.

The boat he was looking at had to stay at the lake and the fees for keeping it there along with extra insurance made him see that it was unreasonable.

They always say the best day of having a boat is the day you sell it.

Good luck if you do it and I hope you do enjoy it.