Level I: Outboard Motors up to 20hp

Outboard Motor/Small Boat Use

Requirements for training 

  • Stanford affiliated and Stanford approved driver through Stanford Risk Management*
    • The exception is if you are enrolled in a Stanford class
  • Valid California Boaters Licence 

Available boats

  • 12' Gregor (aluminum)
  • 14' Gregor (aluminum)
  • 14' Livingston (fiberglass)
  • 10' Zodiac Inflatable 

HMS outboard motors

  • One 6hp Yamaha motor: use only with the 12' Gregor
  • One 9.9hp Yamaha motor, standard shaft: use only with 12' boats
  • Two 20hp Yamaha motors, long shaft: use only with 14' boats

Training 

  • Please contact the BSO Jackson Winn to sign up for Level I training. 

Boat/Outboard motor training and checkout examples

After orientation and initial training by the boating safety officer and time spent crewing on the small boats under a variety of conditions, skipper candidates will undergo a practical check-out during which the candidate performs the following without coaching:

  • Fill out float plan and designate a shore contact
  • Demonstrate use of a VHF radio
  • Set the boat up with motor, gas and other required gear, demonstrating proper ergonomics
  • Before launching, use a check list to make sure everything is good to go as described above
  • Launch the boat using oars at first, rowing away from shore
  • Demonstrate ability to communicate well with crew member(s)
  • Demonstrate effective rowing skills
  • Lower and start motor properly
  • Check cooling stream frequently
  • Demonstrate proper shifting technique (only at low idle)
  • Demonstrate steering ability forward and in reverse, into swell/wake and with following sea, turns, close-quarter maneuvering
  • Demonstrate effective ability in emergency scenarios
  • Maneuvering in kelp; find path through kelp, reverse, buoy location and tie-off
  • Demonstrate proper anchoring and anchor retrieval
  • Demonstrate clearing kelp from prop using reverse gear
  • Demonstrate safe and effective beach approach and landing
  • Perform proper clean-up and stowing of boat and all equipment
  • Close out the float plan

Normal Operations for Level 1: 

Project Proposal/Boat Use Request and Float Plan For Level 1: 

Boat Projects 

For any boat use, operators must submit a Boat Project through the WebBoater website for review by the Hopkins Boating Safety Committee. This proposal should be made no less than one month before the start of the project. The proposal must be approved by the BSO. If significant questions exist, a full meeting of the committee will be held to consider the proposal. 

Float Plans

For Level 1 boat use, in conjunction with the Boat Projects. Users must fill out a float plan 24 hours before the intended use. This is a USCG requirement and allows the BSO to have a "flight roster" of the use of the boat. Please use this Float Plan form. For each departure complete this form and submit it to the BSO before your launch -- and give a copy to your designated shore contact. If your trip is expected to extend beyond the anticipated return time, notify your shore contact. 

Additional Policies for Level 1:

Hopkins boats must not be kept off-site or unavailable to other users for more than 2 weeks at a time, except by agreement between all users. Trailering Hopkins boats to launch sites other than Monterey, Moss Landing and Santa Cruz must have approval from the Boating Safety Committee in addition to meeting the off-site time limit.