Canoeing in Pennsylvania must be one of the most spectacular undertakings as it happens primarily in rivers and lakes in state parks. While you do not necessarily need special education to ride your canoe in the Keystone State’s water bodies, you must abide by the boating laws in the state.
One thing that stands out about Pennysylvania is that the state has some unique laws pertaining to canoes and Kayak registration. As is our duty, we’ll first answer the key question; do you need to register a canoe in PA?
As per the state’s laws, it’s not a mandatory requirement to register non-motored vessels such as canoes and kayaks. However, if you intend to use any boat (whether powered or non-powered) in either any of the following areas, you must register it:
- A Pennysylvania Lake’
- A designated Fish & Boat Commission access area.’
- The state’s state parks and state forests.
And that’s not all on the Pennysylvania boating rules and regulations. We have prepared an extensive coverage of all you need to know about canoeing in the Pennysylvania State below. Explore it!
Do I need to register or title my canoe in Pennysylvania?
You must register your boat in Pennysylvania if it is driven by an electric motor, gasoline, or diesel. Also, the state requires registration and titling of U.S. Coast Guard documented vessels such as yachts.
Note that the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission does not regard surfboards and other human-powered contrivances as boats.
Pennsylvania also doesn’t require you to register unpowered boats such as canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, sailboats, and inflatable boats.
But, any vessel operating in the Fish & Boat Commission access area must be registered irrespective of its mode of power. This also applies to unpowered boats operating in lakes, state parks, and state forests.
After registration, the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will issue you with decals for mounting in the canoes hull where it is visible to everyone. Also, the registration process is relatively straightforward, as all you need is to email your application to the relevant bodies.
Besides, you may also opt to obtain a temporary permit from the Commission offices while awaiting the processing of the main application. This permit will enable you to use the canoe or boat right away.
Can I Purchase a Launch Permit for my canoe in Pennysylvania?
You can purchase a launch permit for your non-motorized boats, such as a canoe or kayak, instead of doing the full registration of the vessel.
There are two main options for the launch permit tenure. You may opt to purchase a one-year permit or two years. Again, you can buy it by visiting the designated issuing agent (Fish & Boat Commission) or online.
Besides, the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources Bureau of State Parks issues launch and mooring permits that you may also consider buying for your canoe.
Do I need to title my canoe in Pennysylvania?
As earlier mentioned, you don’t need to title your canoe or kayak in Pennsylvania unless you are canoeing in the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) access area, state parks, and forests.
However, as a general rule, there are three main conditions under which a boat must be titled in Pennsylvania as follows:
- First, any boat with an inboard motor or outboard motor must be titled during purchase, sale, or transfer. This includes all 1997 models and the subsequent newer ones.
- Also, any boat currently titled in the state of Pennsylvania must be titled during sale or transfer.
- Lastly, any boat titled in another state must be titled when Pennysylvania becomes the state where its primarily used.
Also, you can voluntarily choose to title your boat. Consequently, a boat titled under whichever circumstance must remain titled throughout.
Boat titling is especially important during the transfer or sale of the vessel as it fundamentally ensures that the seller is the legal owner of the craft.
What are the registration fees for canoes in Pennysylvania?
You’ll need approximately $22 to register an unpowered boat such as a canoe or kayak in Pennysylvania.
For motorboats measuring less than 16 feet in length, 16 to 20 feet, and above 20 feet, you’ll require $26, $39, and $52, respectively. In addition, to register a Commercial Passenger boat, you’ll need $50.
Note: These are the charges at the time of writing this article. Therefore, for clarity in the future, contact the official PFBC site for the updated charges.
Costs of canoe and kayaks launch permits in Pennysylvania
Earlier, we highlighted that you might opt for a kayak or canoe launch permit rather than registering it. For a one-year canoe launch permit, you’ll spend $13.97, and a two-year license costs $23.97.
Boats exempt from Registration Fees in Pennsylvania
If you own any of the following boats, you must register them, but they are exempt from paying the registration fees:
- Any Commonwealth of Pennsylvania motorboat
- Any public service organization-owned boat involved in tasks such as training, water safety, and other government operations
- Quasi-public organizations owned motorboats such as those held by bodies such as volunteer fire departments and police departments. This exemption also includes all vessels operated and owned by political subdivisions.
Safety Requirements while Canoeing in Pennysylvania
You are required to have the following items on your boat whenever you’re canoeing or kayaking in Pennysylvania:
Life Jacket
You must have readily accessible personal floatation devices such as life jackets for every individual on the canoe. Also, it is important that the PFD rightly fits. The PFD can be Type I, Type II, Type III, or a wearable Type V.
Throwable Flotation Devices
As a general rule, carrying throwable floatation devices is an essential safety practice, but it’s not mandatory in canoes or kayaks.
Manual Bailing Device
Carrying a manual bailing device is not a key requirement while canoeing in Pennysylvania waters. However, as a matter of safety, it’s imperative to carry one.
Visual Distress Signals (VDS)
The Pennsylvania authorities do not require you to carry visual distress signals when on an unpowered canoe or kayak. But, if you’re planning to canoe in Federally controlled waters such as Lake Erie or coastal waters, you must carry at least three night-times VDS.
Alternatively, you might carry day/night VDS such as a red meteor or flare. Also noteworthy, the VDS requirement is applicable at night or while operating during times of low visibility.
Navigation Lights
In principle, all vessels operating in Pennsylvania, especially at night, should carry a bright white lantern. This also applies to canoes and kayaks operating at night. Essentially, the navigation lights are handy in preventing collision, especially at night.
Also, at night, the Pennsylvania state encourages canoers to display bow red/green lights.
Sound Devices
Having a sound-producing device in a boat is an official requirement of the Pennsylvania state. For most canoers, a whistle serves the purposes effectively.
Fire Extinguishers
It is not a mandatory requirement to carry fire extinguishers while canoeing or kayaking.
Emergency Locator Beacons
Again, the Pennysylvania state does not require you to carry these devices while operating an unpowered vessel. But, as a matter of safety, consider carrying one.
Why Canoe in Pennysylvania?
A recreational boater in Pennysylvania is spoilt for choice regarding the number of available canoeing spots in the state. This is especially for river canoeing and kayaking enthusiasts as they are about 85,000 miles under these water bodies.
Also, there are worthy canoeing and canoeing lakes in Pennsylvania, spanning about 5,266 acres. Particularly, you’ll enjoy canoeing in Lake Erie, which has an extensive shoreline spanning approximately 63 miles.
In addition, there is an extensive array of human-made water bodies that you can consider canoeing in.
Summary
We’ve elucidated the key insights on canoeing in Pennsylvania, especially in regard to the registration and titling processes. In principle, you need to remain compliant with the state’s rules and also uphold the set safety measures as highlighted above.
In a nutshell, registering a human-powered vessel such as a canoe or kayak is not mandatory. However, if you intend to operate in the state parks, lakes, and rives as well as in PFBC access areas, you must register and title it.
We’ve further highlighted the registration costs for each of the processes. Thanks for reading to the end, and we wish you well in your canoeing expedition in Pennysylvania.