Though it may feel endless at times, winter in Canada does not last forever. Before you know it, the sun will be shining and the lake will be calling your name. With this in mind, why wait any longer to buy a boat of your own? If you are tired of relying on family members or friends to take you out on the water, purchasing your own vessel can give you the sense of freedom you crave. At just a moment’s notice, you will be able to hitch your boat up to your truck, head down to the lake, and launch your vessel for a day of fishing, sightseeing, or just plain old relaxation. If you can no longer resist the appeal of boat ownership, you will want to do some research to find the appropriate vessel for you. This can mean getting online and getting to know the various makes and models out there–and as you will see, there are plenty of options. Once you figure out which vessel best suits you, you can find a seller and make an offer. After ownership changes hands, you are very nearly ready to hit the lake. You might need to do some paperwork first, though, and if you need a boat license in Ontario, a private service like ours can help.
As you can probably imagine, motorized boats can be dangerous when operated incorrectly. In fact, in some ways, they are not dissimilar from motor vehicles. Well, just as you would for a car, some boats will require you to obtain a license and registration from Transport Canada. A boating license, which is technically known as a pleasure craft operator card (PCOC), is like a driver’s license in that you will need to take an educational course and pass an exam to get one. A boat license is sort of like a vehicle registration in that it applies to your vessel itself. This document is called a pleasure craft license (PCL), and at the National Vessel Registry Center, we have online forms and an SSL-encrypted web portal that you can use to apply for yours over the web in just minutes. Read on to learn more.
Who Needs a Boat Licence in Ontario?
So, who needs to apply for a PCL, and who doesn’t? Well, if your new boat has an engine of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more, you will be required to obtain a PCL from Transport Canada. PCLs are valid for 10 years before they require a renewal. Once you obtain a license, you will be assigned a registration number that must be displayed in characters of at least three inches in height on both sides of your boat’s exterior bow. Your PCL number should also clearly contrast with the color of your boat to avoid confusion.
Get Your PCL Today!
To get your PCL, select the appropriate option from our navigation menu and follow our easy-to-read prompts. If you would like to learn a bit more about how we can help you, visit our Frequently Asked Questions page.
