Looking to buy a sail boat...

Hello.


I am interested in buying a small sail boat (less than 30 ft). Curious, is a license necessary to pilot such a boat? Many thanks for any advice.

Yes you do need a license. Marine Dept requires 2 licenses if your boat has an engine (most sail boats that are above dinghy size have an engine) There are Grade 1 and Grade 2 licenses depending on size of boat and engine

*Masters license - this covers the 'rules of the water' for want of better terminology. Navigation, markers, rules, regulations, safety etc particularly for HK but also worldwide.

*Engineers license - this is the engine maintenance and safety side of things - test covers three engine type - small inboard, large inboard and outboard. You have to pass each section to get a license for each engine. eg - you may pass inboard but not outboard or vice versa.

the test is not that difficult if you study, and a lot of the boating places and yacht clubs run courses that help you pass. The course usually cost around a few thousand dollars and are worth doing because these guys know the sort of questions that are asked and they also let you do sample exams.

Good luck!

One more thing.....any insurance would be invalid if you were found to be unlicensed!

why not charter a sailboat with skipper or crew, much more relaxed for occasional sailors. most people do not sail as much as they expect ...

Hi Kolichka,


You do not need a licence to sail a "small" boat in HK...


You should buy a Hobie 16, or a Hobie Tiger (18 foot). They are great fun. The 16s are not too expensive and you can just take one out with a mate and practise on it!


www.hobie.com.hk (their club is located on this cute beach in Tai Tam).


DB also have lots of sailboats going out from there - you can see the club at the beach there.


Or you can take a government course, or a dinghy sailing course from any yacht club in HK.


Have fun!


DAMMIT - just realised this OP is from over a year ago!