Juku Main
A saga:It was over a decade ago that I bought my first boat in Japan. After I bought the boat I learned I needed a permit to operate it. Wasn’t ready for that! So I did some investigation and learned that if the boat had an American registration, I did not need a permit. However, to get an American registration, the boat needed to get it in America. At that time, it was very difficult to get the Japanese permit if you lived outside Tokyo or Okinawa. So, I named my boat Catch 22 and sailed for the better part of a year without a license...
(to be continued)
Do you want to drive a boat with a motor in Japan?
Read the fine print: You may need a Small Vessel Operator's Permit!
Permits come in two sizes: 1st Class (1 Kyu) and 2nd Class (2 Kyu)
Of course, everybody want to be 1st Class, but it might be better to start with the 2nd Class level and graduate to 1st Class later. (In order to get the 1st Class, you must pass the 2nd Class exam anyway.)
For general information on the operator's permit, go to Details.
If you choose to take one of the national exams (March and October), you will want to know the process. Sample paperwork for making your application are provided at Paperwork.
There are three known sources on materials for you to study for your license. The Juku offers the only independently written narrative by a native speaker on the topics germane to the written exam and the practical exams for the 2nd Class Permit. (Juku materials are also the cheapest!) If you plan to sit for the permit, please take a look...
2 Kyu gives an overview of Juku materials for the 2 Kyu operator's permit exams.
The Juku is currently developing materials for the 1st Class permit.
1 Kyu gives an overview of Juku materials for the 1 Kyu operator's permit exams.
Odds and Ends contains several pages: other schools, Juku track record, and improtant things.
The Buy something, and Sorta blog are self explanatory.