There are many good reasons to enjoy leisure time and holidays on the water. Discover the water as a place for new experiences, recreation close to nature, time with friends and family and sporting activities. It's easy to get started with boating. With a little practice and the right information, anyone can safely operate a boat and enjoy the greatest freedom on the water.
Boating licence, yes or no?
Thousands of kilometres of rivers, canals and coastal waters offer a wide variety of possibilities for boating. Whether romantic and natural waterways or the pulsing atmosphere of the cities – everything can be discovered in whole new ways from the water. It's easy to get started in boating: in Germany, boats under 15 metres in length with an engine output of up to 15 hp (11.03 KW) may be operated without a licence. This regulation applies to all federal waterways (inland and coastal waters) with the exception of the Rhine River. The minimum age is 16 years. On coastal waters, small boats with an engine output of less than 3.68 KW/5 hp are exempted from the 16-years age limit. Children and adolescents are allowed to operate boats up to 5 hp in lake areas under supervision.
Selection of the boat
From small pleasure craft for a quick leisure-time cruise to motor and sailing yachts big enough to spend an entire holiday on – the choice is big even among licence-free pleasure craft. An overview of the most common types of boats can be found here.
No sailor’s yarn - you should know these rules
So for novice boaters, nothing stands in the way of boating fun right from the start. The range of possibilities is huge. However, you should know a few important rules before setting off with your sailing yacht or motorboat. We have compiled the most important basic rules here.
A good overview is provided in the practical information brochure of the German Marine Federation (BVWW): how to prepare for a boat trip, tips on mooring and launching, the most important seaman's knots, an introduction to reading nautical charts and seamarks, right of way rules, light guidance, sound signals, correct conduct at bridges and locks – all this can be found in the handbook for skippers.
Want a bit more?
If you fancy a bigger boat or more horsepower, you’ll need a corresponding boating licence. The sport boating pilot's licence (SBF) is the official licence for operating pleasure craft from 15 hp (11.03 kW) and below 15 m in length on inland and coastal waterways. A distinction is made here between the inland sport boating pilot's licence for motorboats and the marine sport boating pilot's licence. The former allows navigation on inland waters such as rivers or lakes, while the latter applies to navigation on coastal waters within the three nautical mile zone. Both licences require examinations in theory and practice – so good preparation pays off.
Attention: Special regulations apply to the Rhine River and Lake Constance. For example, a sports boat licence is required for cruising on the Rhine from a motor boat power of 5 hp. If you want to discover Lake Constance with your own motorboat, you’ll need the Lake Constance category A skipper's licence (from 6 hp). The easiest way to find out in advance is to contact the Association of German Sport Boat Schools (VDS) or a local training centre. A good overview of the various recreational boating licences can be found on the VDS website here.
