y now you ’ ve probably heard about the California Boater Card if you operate a motorized vessel on California ’ s waterways . Whether you enjoy boating on California ’ s iconic coastline or an equally majestic inland waterway , as of January 1 , 2025 all persons operating a motorized vessel are required to have a California Boater Card . The program is being phased in by age to give boaters ample time to obtain their card . By 2025 , all operators of motorized vessels on California waters will be required to obtain a California Boater Card . The California Boater Card is verification that its holder has successfully taken and passed an approved boating safety course . California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways ( DBW ) maintains the list of approved courses which includes classroom , online and home study options . Boating accident data from the U . S . Coast Guard verifies that states with some form of boating safety education have fewer accidents and fatalities than states without any boater education requirements . California is one of the last states to implement mandatory boater education . The cost of the lifetime California Boater Card is $ 10 . No profit is made from the card as the cost goes towards processing the card itself . Applying for the California Boater Card is an easy , two-step process : 1 . Pass an approved boating safety course . 2 . Apply for the card and provide proof of passing an approved course . Once DBW has received your application , proof of education and payment , you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email . You will then receive your official California Boater Card by mail within 60 days . To find out more about approved courses , phase-in schedule , or to apply for your California Boater Card , please visit www . CaliforniaBoaterCard . com .

hat exactly is an “ RV ”? It can mean truck camper , tent trailer , travel trailer , 5th wheel or motorhome . But RV really stands for Real Vacation . RVs are available in every type , designed for family activities , large or small . “ Real ” experiences , many vacations are to artificial facades with lights action and staged entertainment . Manufactured experiences like roller coaster rides , Waterparks , etc . RV adventures are Real , outdoor activities like hiking , fishing , biking or just sitting around a campfire talking and making roasted marshmallows ! Real Value , in that you can use it many times over , home in the parking lot for tail-gating at the game . Short weekend trips for

getaways that can be spontaneous or long planned . Standard vacation to a destination without the challenges of flying , long lines and minimal travel items . Or the extended vacation / retirement where you can travel the Great United States with everything you need on your own timeline . Also , RV ’ s provide a spare living area for visiting guests that gives them their own “ space ” at your home . RV = Adventures ! The huge variety of RVs means you can choose a huge variety of adventures . What better way to find your Real RV than at a multiple dealer RV Show and what better show than : The Big RV Show at Cal Expo March 6-9 . 2025

5 • SACRAMENTO BOAT SHOW AND BIG RV SHOW Supplement to the Fish Sniffer - February 28 , 2025