[huntined]

I was at the local lake the other day and there were a lot of stand-up paddle boards being used. This got me to thinking about them. Not one of them had any kind of launch permit showing and none of the people using them had life vests. Does anyone know if they are not needed. Seems to me they should be under the same regulations as my kayak. I plan on asking a fish commission officer this the next time I see one but also wanted to see if anyone on there knew anything about this.

 

[pappybear]

LAUNCH PERMITS
Owners of unpowered boats (canoes, kayaks, <span style="color: #FF0000">stand-up paddleboards</span>, rowboats, etc.) can launch their boats at PFBC lakes and access areas or Pennsylvania state parks if their boats display a PFBC launch use permit, OR boat registration, OR Pennsylvania State Parks launch permit OR mooring permit. Pennsylvania State Parks recognizes PFBC boat registrations and launch permits. The Commission does NOT recognize launch permits from other states. A PFBC launch permit can be purchased online at the Commission’s website. An unpowered boat may have a registration OR launch permit, but is not required to have both.

I too have noticed a lot of recreational kayak and paddle board users lately on PAFBC owned lakes. Seems like it gets worse every year.
A call to the regional office of the PAFBC would help.

 

[huntined]

Thanks pappybear, At the time I was at the lake I did see a PFC officer checking boaters but he did not check any of the paddle boards and I didn't have a chance to talk to him.

 

[pappybear]

Most of the recreational users that I've observed seem to be oblivious to the requirement.

 

[slavage]

the main problem is
most retail stores sell them and don't tell the people about what the need to do...
i known managers that worked for the company i used to that would tell there people not to say any thing to the customer about that type of thing for risk of losing the sale....
$80-120 yak or 300+ board and they would "" think about"" buying it after they found out they needed to go spend a few extra dollars dealing with it...
also places like wally world its all most grab an carry...then out the door they go not knowing that the need to do any thing...
Welcome to the new real retail world... before you had sales people and clerks...
Now you have a no nothing person that makes min wage an can care less what your concerns or item you need...
The old rule of you get what you pay for is coming full circle now.

 

[huntined]

I agree with you slavage. I just thought it strange the PAFC officer didn't check any of the paddleboard users the day I was at the lake even though it was VERY easy to see there was no launch permit or life vest.

 

[Varmintmist]

If it isnt a state lake and they are not using state launch facilities, then they dont need a permit.

You can float the Allegheny w/o a permit if you dont use the state facilities.

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