Motorboating Merit Badge Pamphlet Motorboating Merit Badge

Motorboating


Requirements were REVISED effective January 1, 2009.
(New pamphlet issued August 1, 2008).

New text is in bold GREEN underlined Serif text like this sentence.
Deleted portions are struck through RED italic text like this sentence.

To see the requirements, without the changes highlighted, Click here.

For the previous requirements, Click here.


  1. Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heatstroke, heat exhaustion, dehydration, sunburn, insect stings, tick bites, blisters, and hyperventilation.
    Do the following:
    1. Explain first aid for injuries that could occur while motorboating, including hypothermia, heat reactions, dehydration, motion sickness, insect stings, tick bites, and blisters.
    2. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how such conditions are recognized. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
  2. Do the following:
    1. Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person. Explain how such conditions are recognized.
      Before doing requirements 3 through 6, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test.
    2. Demonstrate proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor.
      Name the different types of personal floatation devices (PFDs), and explain when each type should be use. Show how to choose and properly fit a PFD.
  3. Before doing the following requirements, successfully complete the BSA swimmer test. Jump feet first into water over your head in depth, swim 75 yards or 75 meters in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards or 25 meters using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards or 100 meters must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating as motionless as possible.
    Do the following:
    1. Explain inboard, outboard, and inboard/outboard motors and the uses and advantages of each. Discuss the special features of a bass boat and a ski boat.
    2. Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving handling fuel and engine servicing, and equipment storage and placement.
    3. Explain how to winterize a boat motor and tell why this procedure is necessary.
    4. Explain the safety procedures and precautions involving swimmers and skiers in the water, passenger positions under way, and boat wakes.
  4. Show you know safety laws for motorboating by doing the following:
    1. Have a permit to run a motorboat, if needed.
    2. Explain the rules or laws affecting pleasure that apply to recreational boating in your area or state.
    3. Discuss with your counselor how the hazards of weather and heavy water conditions can affect both safety and performance in motorboating.
    4. Promise that you will live up to the Scout Boating code follow BSA Safety Afloat guidelines. Explain the meaning of each point.
    5. Discuss with your counselor the nautical rules of the road and describe the national and your state's aids to navigation.
    6. Explain and show the correct use of equipment required by both state and federal regulations to be carried aboard a motorboat.
    7. Explain the requirement on federal and state rules for a ventilation rules system, and state why this is needed. tell why these rules are required.
  5. Show you know how to run a motorboat Demonstrate proper boat-handling procedures and skills by doing the following the right way:
    1. Get in a boat. Board and assist others in boarding
    2. Fuel and check motor before starting the boat and complete a safety check.
    3. Start motor and get Get under way from a dock dockside or from a beach launch.
    4. Run a straight course for a quarter mile. Make right-angle turns to left or right. Make a U-turn at least a mile, showing procedures for overtaking and passing slower craft, yielding right-of-way, passing oncoming traffic, making turns, reversing direction, and using navigation aids.
    5. Stop an secure the boat in position on the open water using anchors; get . Drop anchor. Raise it. Get under way.
    6. Come alongside a dock. Tie up or beach.
      Land or dock; get out and assist others.
    7. Moor the boat and secure all gear.
  6. Show how to:
    Point out and explain the mechanical and safety features of a boat trailer.
    1. Tie up or take boat from water.
      Launch a boat from a trailer.
    2. Store gear.
      Remove a boat from the water using a trailer.
    3. Prepare motor for the winter.

BSA Advancement ID#: 76
Requirements last updated in: 2008
Pamphlet Publication Number: 35920
Pamphlet Stock (SKU) Number: 35920
Pamphlet Revision Date: 2008

Worksheets for use in working on these requirements: Format
Word Format PDF Format

Blanks in this worksheets table appear when we do not have a worksheet for the badge that includes these requirements.


Page updated on: November 18, 2021



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