What is the law on alcohol on a boat?

[cib11b]

When I take some friends fihsing most of them like tobring some beers. I personally do not drink. So I feel a little iffy when they do. I was wondering what the law states on alcohol on the water??

[BIG-EARL]

WELL WHAT YA DO IS TAKE A 30 PACK AND SHOVE IT IN THE BOATS ICE CHEST AND THEN COVER IT WITH ICE..... HIDING IT TO THE UNSUSPECTING ON LOOKER..... ONCE YOU HIT THE WATER START DRINKING...... BY THE END OF THE DAY YOU SHOULD BE COMPLETELY OUT AND NO ONE CAN SAY ANYTHING.......


IT AINT FUN IF YOU DONT GET NONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!













J/K


ITS JUST LIKE A CAR .08 EXCEPT FOR THE OPEN CONTAINER YOUR FRIENDS CAN DRINK AND HAVE BEER OR ALCOHOL ON THE BOAT AS LONG AS YOU THE DRIVER IS NOT DRINKING!!!!!!!!!!

[TonyL]

I havn't looked up myself , but was told -as long as the operator is sober/not drinkin -o.k.,then again I guess the boatowner is responsible for any "drunks" on his/her boat.

[macinckirk]

If your running the boat your ok till, you ask them to pull you out then there is a problem

just let them have a few cold 1's

you get the truck pull the boat out and never let them see the keys

now just remenber, that once they see that guy on the back then the have the right to stop you and check your boat

[mark poulson]

Local laws vary, but, at Castaic, there is no, NO alcohol allowed on boats, period.
Drinking there is a good way to get a bus ride to County.
Call the lake you're going to, and check what their regs are.
A 502, or whatever it's called now, is too expensive to take a chance.

[Ray Vanacore]

The Law says that you may have Alcohol on the boat, but the driver may not be drinking and if caught you will be given a sobriety test and if drunk you will be cited just as you would be if you were driving a car. From what i here at the marina there have been a few that have been arrested this summer for being intoxicated while operating a boat. From what im told It varies from lake to lake this is the rule at Folsom. On the river i'm not sure. I personally don't allow smoking or drinking in my boat, but thats my personal choice. I also don't drink as i have been sober for 13 yrs today.
Ray Vanacore

[macinckirk]

Local laws vary, but, at Castaic, there is no, NO alcohol allowed on boats, period

at that lake your srcewed just driving unless your in the click

[mark poulson]

Kirk,
Ride with BC. they give red boats a break.

[macinckirk]

Kirk,
Ride with BC. they give red boats a break.

[texas john]

Folsom is another no alcohol lake. From what I have been told there is a zero tollerance policy no alcohol in the boat period..Your best advice was already givin, check the lake your going to for their specific rules.

[YZKEN250]

Local laws vary, but, at Castaic, there is no, NO alcohol allowed on boats, period.
Drinking there is a good way to get a bus ride to County.
Call the lake you're going to, and check what their regs are.
A 502, or whatever it's called now, is too expensive to take a chance.

I used to work at the lower lake when I was 17. I used to push an ice-cream cart on the beach. Traded Ice-cream for beers all the time. That was when you used to be able to bring beer to the lake.

[cib11b]

Anyone know where I could find the laws for alcohol for lakes and rivers in ca?

[12lblargemouth]

I thought I heard most water ways is it legal to drink within the sobriety limits and as long as you arent drinking or have an open container while you operate the main motor? Or maybe I am just making it up cause it suits my ways? Sounds good, but it is really all just speculation at this point! As I soak on some West Coast IPA as I write this!

In all honesty I would like to have insight to this subject as well. I do enjoy a brew or two on the water during a hot day, or cold!

[aNNieNsaLTIE]

I do not think it is safe period! who knows what could happen. What if you are not drinking but your buddies are.............you get tossed out of your boat, THE ONLY SOBER ONE?? I never allow it on my boat, You never know what could happen....

Steven

[NoCAL]

Well I have actually been stopped by a sherriff on the Feather River while fishing for salmon. I had been out all day and there were two empty beer bottles in the bottom of my boat. The deputy checked all my safety gear, asked how many fish I had caught, how long I had been fishing that day, and generally assessed the condition of the boat and myself. He then asked if those 2 beers were all I had drank during the trip. I said "yes sir" and he said make sure it stays that way and went on his way. I took this to mean that there is no law against alcohol in the boat nor in the driver having a beer but intoxication laws are still valid and if you appear impaired you will be tested and arrested if above the legal limit.

I can't say this is the law and maybe I had a lax deputy but I can't see the harm in having a beer or two during the course of a day of fishing. Course some people are not able to stop themselves before becoming intoxicated. It's pretty rare for me to do it but I will on occasion carry a couple with me for a full day on the water.

NoCAL

[DL]

When I take some friends fihsing most of them like tobring some beers. I personally do not drink. So I feel a little iffy when they do. I was wondering what the law states on alcohol on the water??

California allows consumption of alcohol aboard vessels and boats for both passengers and private leisure boat operators, yet enforces the state's legal BAC limit for operating a motor vehicle or vessel of .08% and below, or under the influence. As long as the driver is sober, .08% or below, you should be ok. But it is NEVER a good idea to drink and drive a boat...

[Ray Vanacore]

At Folsom Lake you can't have Alcohol on the shore while picnicing or just relaxing , but in a boat its ok, as long as the driver isn't drinking. Yes its a stupid law, but thats what it is at folsom, as I get ask this question on a daily basis.
Ray Vanacore

[cib11b]

Thanks for the input guys, I guess I will alow alcohol on my boat.. Within reason. No one ever drinks to get drunk on my boat.. Usually only when we bait fish in the river.. When I am out on the lake I fish with different people than with on the river, wich most of the time I am in there boat.

[rexford]

I know this is off the original posters topic but
It should be said that if you are in an
accident you will be considered "under the
influence" if there is ANY alcohol in your system.

[Oldschool]

The owner operator of any vessel is laible for any damage the vessel, operator or passengers cause.
Should you or your passengers have an accident, fall over board, hook someone seriously, whatever, you the owner carries the laibily. $1,000,000 laibilty insurance is common practice.
If any of the above occurs while under the influence, it's can become a crimmal offense.
Tom

[mark poulson]

The owner operator of any vessel is laible for any damage the vessel, operator or passengers cause.
Should you or your passengers have an accident, fall over board, hook someone seriously, whatever, you the owner carries the laibily. $1,000,000 laibilty insurance is common practice.
If any of the above occurs while under the influence, it's can become a crimmal offense.
Tom

And I don't think your insurance covers anything if you're drinking.

[DL]

Its even illegal to water ski drunk

[ash]

The law is the same as with any vehicle....dont get cought!

[Smile_n_Jax]

I know the rules and regs are complicated for any given lake you fish, but the basic rule is a zero tolerance rule for the driver of the boat. So, if you're driving, don't drink. For that reason, I don't allow alcohol on my boat. Once we're done fishing and the boat is out of the water, then we can crack a beer.

[RMARX]

That makes alot more sense wait to drink before the drive home

[Oldschool]

The owner operator of any vessel is laible for any damage the vessel, operator or passengers cause.
Should you or your passengers have an accident, fall over board, hook someone seriously, whatever, you the owner carries the laibily. $1,000,000 laibilty insurance is common practice.
If any of the above occurs while under the influence, it's can become a crimmal offense.
Tom

And I don't think your insurance covers anything if you're drinking.

You are right and responsible for passengers in your boat. Could be a very expensive beer.
Tom

[Cooch]

The law is the same as with any vehicle....dont get cought!

"cought"??? Eeehhhhmmmmm, just where would ya like me ta blow this cough occifer?! HAR! HAR! HAR!