[bulletbob]

After many calls to people that had trouble understanding the law, and several replies here on this board that were in error, I finally got the answer that I have been seeking for a few years,, Sadly, a few calls to NJ state police last year [marine division] were not answered correctly either..

The NJ Marine Police in PP advised me that i could indeed operate a boat in NJ waters despite not having a "boating certificate" which is not required in NY state.. It was explained to me that as long as you are in compliance with your home state laws, NJ honors your right to operate a vessel in NJ waters.. An exception would be lets say a non resident or part time resident that has a NJ address as in a summer home etc.. They are required to have a certificate..
A few members here in a past thread on the subject thought it very strange that NJ would not allow out of state boaters to use the waterways and buy fuel/food/hotels/ launch and marina fees /bait tackle etc.. Bad business. Glad that the state of NJ agrees.
I spend $100-$150 easy in NJ when I trailer down on gas, bait, launch, meals etc,,.. So yes NJ is open for business to out of state boaters. LOTS of good smart people, even some close to the situation gave some bad advice past few years. Finally got a straight answer.. I hope to get down a bunch this summer, and now I don't have to worry about " getting caught".... bob