Boating on Travis Lake

[EzPeterson]

The closest launch to that one is the Steiner Ranch dock.

[CptnRn]

Originally Posted by Austin97

maybe take a look at the boat clubs (freedom boat club?). They keep a stable of boats and have the boats ready for you to use if you call ahead.

no permit is needed, but your boat needs to be registered. People do swim. the boat has to have vests but you dont have to wear them.

620 bridge is going to be lake austin not lake travis.

A "boater education certification card" is required if the operator was born after 1993 and life jackets are required to be worn in some instances.

Who May Operate a Vessel - Texas Boating License Study Guide for Online Boating Safety Course - Boat-ed.com

Who May Operate a Vessel


Operators must meet the age and boater education requirements shown below in order to operate any of the following vessels legally in Texas:

• A powerboat powered by a motor of more than 15 horsepower or …
• A personal watercraft or …
• A windblown vessel over 14 feet in length.

A person less than 13 years of age may operate only if he or she is supervised by a person who:

• Is 18 years of age or older and …
• Can lawfully operate the watercraft and …
• Is on board when the vessel is underway.

A person at least 13 years of age and born on or after September 1, 1993, may operate without supervision only if he or she has passed a boater education course that is accepted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
All persons required to have passed a state-approved boater education course must carry with them on the vessel:

• Photographic identification, such as driver’s license or student I.D. and …
• A boater education certification card issued by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department upon successful completion of a boater education course or proof of completion of the requirements to obtain a vessel operator's license issued by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Non-residents may fulfill the Texas boater education requirement by supplying proof that they have passed another state’s boater education course that is accepted by Texas Parks and Wildlife Department and is NASBLA—approved.

Specific PFD Requirements - Texas Boating License Study Guide for Online Boating Safety Course - Boat-ed.com

Texas law requires the following with respect to personal flotation devices (life jackets).

• All vessels (including canoes, kayaks, and other paddlecraft ) must have at least one USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V (wearable) PFD (life jacket) for each person on board.
• In addition to the requirements for life jackets, vessels 16 feet or longer (except canoes and kayaks) must have one USCG-approved Type IV (throwable) PFD on board.
• All PFDs must be in good and serviceable condition and must be readily accessible. The PFDs must be of the proper size for the intended wearer. Sizing for PFDs is based on body weight and chest size.
• Texas law requires all children under 13 years of age to wear a USCG-approved Type I, II, III, or V (wearable) PFD while underway (not at anchor, moored, or aground) on any vessel less than 26 feet long, including canoes, kayaks, and other paddlecraft.
• Each person riding on or being towed behind a PWC must wear a USCG–approved Type I, II, III, or V PFD.
• One Type V may be substituted for any other type if it is specifically approved by the U.S. Coast Guard for the activity at hand. Type V PFDs may not be substituted on children weighing less than 90 lbs.

[atxcio]

Originally Posted by cBach

The 620 bridge is due south of the dam, thus on Lake Austin.

There isn't a boat ramp to Lake Austin there, is there? The closest boat ramp to the 620 bridge is Mansfield Dam, thus Lake Travis.

But clearly he meant 360 not 620.