Canoe, kayak, or other manually propelled vessel

To operate a canoe or kayak without supervision, you must be 12 years old

Paddlers who are under 12 may operate a canoe or kayak as long as they under the direct AUDIBLE and VISUAL supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older.

Sail or powerboat, powered by 10 horsepower or less

To operate a sailboat or a powerboat powered by 10 horsepower or less without adult supervision, you must be 12 years old.

Operators who are under 12 may operate a sailboat or powerboat 10 horsepower or less as long as they under the direct AUDIBLE and VISUAL supervision of a person who is 18 years of age or older.

Sail or powerboat powered by greater than 10 horse power

NOTE: This age requirement does not include PWC*.

Children under 12 may operate a powerboat or sailboat powered by more than 10 horsepower as long as they are under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older who is aboard the vessel.

Children 12 and over do not need to have an adult on board.

NOTE: Boater Education is required for all operators born on or after January 1, 1982, who operate any boat powered by greater than 10 horsepower, including children who have supervision and the adults who are acting as supervisors.

PWC* (Personal Watercraft)

Children under 12 MAY NOT operate a PWC*, not even with adult supervision.

Children age 12 through 15 may operate a PWC* under the DIRECT supervision of a person 18 years old or older who is aboard the vessel.

Children age 16 or older may operate a PWC* without supervision.

ANYONE WHO WAS BORN ON OR AFTER JANUARY 1, 1982, MUST FULFILL OHIO'S MANDATORY BOATER EDUCATION LAW BEFORE OPERATING A WATERCRAFT OF MORE THAN 10 HORSEPOWER, which includes all PWC*.

In the case of a supervising person onboard, the youth AND the supervising person must BOTH meet the requirements of the Mandatory Boater Education Law. Since all PWC are greater than 10 horsepower, the defining limit is the date of birth.