It’s too bad they don’t ask for paddler
registration, similar to a hunting or fishing license. They don’t require fishermen to choose between licensed access to particular waters versus registration of each fishing rod and reel.
They do offer a 2-year launch permit
But I think you are correct - having the HIN on file with the boat registration is a good idea.
motorers beware
Just an FYI: If you put any kind of motor (electric trolling or otherwise) on a canoe or kayak, the state of PA considers it a motor boat. So the launch permit or non-powered registration will not fly in this case. Gotta get the Manufacturers Statement of Origin paperwork notarized and the whole deal, it can get messy.
I got hassled at Promise Land State Park
Even though I had a registered boat with a current sticker and all the numbers in the right places, they still wanted a seperate permit to use EACH of the lakes at Promise Land.
I can see a couple reasons …
… that registering a canoe might be useful .
One is if boardering states (or any state for that matter) , would acknowledge the registration as a pass to use that state’s (or those states’) waters without further special permit fees (should that state have such permit fees like PA) . Same as any other registration such as a power boat or auto allows it to be used in any other state without further adoo .
I would still expect at times to pay site use fees (for things such entrance/access , launch and/or parking) should that be the policy of the individual site/place .
The other is if the paddler may wish to hold out the option of using a motor on occassion without any further adoo .
To my belief , all states require a powered craft (canoe, kayak, other) to be a registered vessel when operated on any public waters in the state .
Up on the Yough reservour at camp (MD. side) , there was a question once about one of our canoes not having either a registration or permit . The Yough for those who are not familiar is a MD. and PA. shared reservour (MD. requires no such permit) . The reservour is feed from the MD. side , a small portion of the reservour (compared to total size) is on the MD. end , with the larger portion on the PA. side . From camp you could leave the cove , turn right (N) and cross into PA. in very short time (it’s like a mile or so) . I think the question was more one of “what if we land and re-launch on the PA. side after originally making launch in MD.” The camp resident host couple wasn’t sure what the outcome might be . We said we knew we didn’t need a permit to launch in MD. and we all just dropped it there .
This made me think about running rivers that route through various states . On the Potomac for example , I can launch at Paw Paw (WV) , keep going and stop on a VA. shore for a break , exit at a MD. site . I have no clue if WV. or VA. would require me to have any special permit to land/launch from their lands , MD. doesn’t and so that’s the rule I follow on such a journey .
I know many rivers cross state lines , three that I’ve been on end up in MD. (well technically the Shenandoah doesn’t end in MD. , but as soon as you reach it’s end into the Potomac , cross over and land , your on MD. shores . I know some other reservours I been on have a state line across them as well .
they wanted … you got hasseled ??
… what was the outcome since you had a registered craft ??
I don’t have any knowledge of “Promise Lands” .
Was this more of site/access fee ??
Delwarare River
That’s similar to the Delaware River on the PA/NJ border. But I believe they accept appropriate launch permits/registration from either state regardless of which side of the river you’re on.
Registration-proof of purchase
Around 6 years ago when we went to register our canoes, we were told if we could not show a bill proving we paid the sales tax (proof of original new purchase) we would need to not only pay the fee but also a sales tax on each boat.
We didnt keep the bills from years ago. Paid taxes unhappily.
Then i found out no bill needed for launch permits and some kayaks were purchased new, others used. so we just paddle locally right now so we get launch Permits.
I am not sure if this is still the practice from Harrisburg or not though.
as a PA resident…
with a human powered boat you need nothing to use it in the water.
If you plan to use a boat ramp/launch that was paid for my the fish and boat commission (which is about 95% of the public launches) then you need either the simple sticker or a registration and with the reg you need to put those 3" tall numbers down both sides of your bow.
For state parks either of those will work or I believe you can get a state park permit, at least in some states.
The registration bit is overkill IMO for a paddled craft unless you plan to put a motor on it.
The simple sticker can be bought on-line (few if any boat dealers carry the stickers) and it will show up at your house in about a week.
if you want to register your boat http://fishandboat.com/forms_boatreg.htm
permit is the last item on the page. you get to print out a temp one and can go boating right away, legally.
https://www2.pa.wildlifelicense.com/start.php
the dcnr (parks) boating prices are here http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/findinfo/prices_boat.aspx. The sticker is the same price as the F&B one but the rules say there’s only one sticker and it goes aft on the starboard side (F&B is two stickers that go amid-ships, one per side)
US Army Corps of Engineers - different
The Yough reservoir is managed by the USACE. The Corps charges a use fee at their launches. One launch in PA is managed by the Fish & Boat Commission.
Generally the concern with having a permit or registration on a river is related to use of launches, not the river itself. On a lake that’s 100% within a state park, you can be ticketed for not having a permit anywhere on the lake.
On lakes with private and public (state) shoreline, you can get away without the permit by launching from private property.
I’ve always had the permit or reg just to eliminate any doubt or confusion.
The pushed for money so I left and went
to Dingmans on the Delaware
Permits/Registration in other states?
Does anyone know what is required to launch in other states? I’ve been trying to find info on other states that I may visit to see if the Registration is a better bet because some places have reciprocity.
The states I’m most likely to visit would be New York, New Jersey, Delaware, Maryland, Virginia. Anyone know? I did try to find it, but the requirements aren’t the easiest to find…
Not adding up
This story isn’t making sense. I’ve launched several powered craft with registrations and several non powered craft with launch permits into both lakes at Promised Land and never had an issue.
In PA to launch at a DCNR or Fish & Boat Commission facility you only need one or the other, not both.
If you have a non powered craft then stick with the launch permit, it is cheaper and easier.
NJ
In NJ you don’t have to have any kind of permits or stickers for non powered craft.
Anything with an electric or gas motor has to be registered in NJ or in a state that they have reciprocity with.
Most NJ State Parks charged either an entrance fee or launch fee for any craft during peak season.
Follow up
What ended up being the better option for you? I am new to the PA (Pittsburgh) area and have little understanding of the benefits or reasoning behind either option. If i register my yaks for 2 years will it allow the same access as the below options. i.e. PFBC Launch Permit (one year $10 or two years $18, December to December) or I can register my boat (two years $26 March to March). or is either option considered registration?
What are you reading re $26
That is for boats under 16ft i believe that are powered. It states to register unpowered boats $18 the same as launch permits on the documentation i read. I just dont know if they still charge extra fees if not the original boat owner without the bill of sale as they used to years ago.
You’re fine with PA launch permits
The only time you “could” (theoretically) have an issue is if you take you kayaks to another state that has a registration requirement. In that case, your PA registration would be counted as registration in the state you are visiting. Your launch permit technically would not count.
Joles, I just entered and left the
Delaware on the NJ side, and there was no issue of a launch permit. Was that because I used NPS launch sites? I had not heard that NJ had a launch fee for canoes.
registration
requires you put the sticker and those 3" tall registration numbers (you buy them at a boat store) on your hull. Fine a 40’ something but on a yak the numbers are huge.
Also the reg stays with the boat, do if/when you go to sell it the new owner has to keep the numbers and transfer the registration.
If you have just the launch permit then no paperwork is needed on a sale and the stickers are much smaller and no registration number.
No numbers required in PA
"Boats propelled by machinery and electric motors must be numbered, regardless of length and type of motor. Boats excluded from numbering include unpowered kayaks, sculls and sailboards, documented vessels, and vessels with a valid temporary certificate." Copied fromm the PA Fish and Boat Commission website.
I made that mistake years ago - took the numbers off as soon as I realized they weren’t needed.
All we use anymore are launch permits, much less hassle when selling a boat.
gnatcatcher