Launch permits or boat registration in your state.

[lowangle al]

In Pa, non motorized boats need to have either a launch permit or boat registration to use state owned boat launches. If I'm not using a state boat launch I'm not sure if I need one, but, I was recently told by a fish commission officer that if a body of water has a state launch you are required to use it, so I guess I do.

I was out recently at a Pa. state park lake and as I was paddling back to the launch I noticed two state vehicles parked there. The officers were waiting for me and asked about my launch permit. I said I wasn't aware that I needed one since I'm from out of state. Luckily I only got a warning as the fine and costs were almost $500.00. The officer took a picture of my Ak drivers license and told me if I didn't buy a permit he would send me the citation. I bought a permit for my Bell Seliga as soon as I got home. It was only 12 bucks a year so not too bad and I was happy to pay it. I have at least four boats that I've use on state waters this year and the expense isn't the biggest problem. The problem I have is with putting stickers on my wood canvas boats. Maybe it's no big deal but the thought of it bothers me.

Now I can only take my one boat that has the permit on state water. The officer said the permit is also accepted in other states that require them. So now I wonder if I need a permit in New York. I've also been to Maine and plan to go to other nearby states, like New Jersey and possibly a trip Florida. It is also possible that my name is in a database for getting the warning and I may not get a second chance again. What are the regs in your state?

 

[Neophyte]

I get launch permits for my boats in PA. I don't put the sticker on the boat but I do carry them with me. I've been stopped once and it was not a problem, once I showed the launch permit they were happy to send me on my way. I recall another thread here where other PA residents had similar experiences. You can also register a canoe/kayak if it has an HIN, we did this with my wife's kayak but there doesn't seem to be much of a benefit. Cost is the same.

PA is the exception rather than the rule, most states don't require a registration or launch permit. New York, for example, does not require non-powered boats to be registered. See the link below.
https://dmv.ny.gov/registration/register-a-boat

You're also good in New Jersey, see the section on How to Title and Register a Boat.
https://www.nj.gov/mvc/vehicles/boating.htm

 

[Penns Woods]

Alan, Thanks for that good information, you mentioned stuff I wasn't aware of. Probably saved me some money and aggravation.

 

[Gamma1214]

I bought a permit when I visited Allegheny Islands state park and I had it in my pocket. If asked, I'd have told them that I wasn't about to destroy my beautiful stripper by attaching their sticker (they'd have to read this forum or my blog to appreciate the irony of that position).

If pushed (and to save $500), I suppose I would have stuck it on & peeled it when I got home but it wasn't an issue.

The way the Fish & Boat laws are written, he's wrong about the necessity to use a state-maintained launch if one is available but, of course, a state park would require a permit regardless of how you gained access to the water.

To the best of my knowledge, all 50 states have reciprocity for launch permits just as the do for car license plates so the permit (in your pocket or stuck on with tape so it could be moved from boat to boat?) should satisfy the surrounding states as well.

At least PA doesn't require fugly registration numbers like on power boats. I know some states do and I'm not sure how I'd deal with that

 

[Neophyte]

Gamma in PA you technically need a separate launch permit for each boat. However, there's nothing indicating on the permit which boat it's for. So what you do with that is dependent upon your comfort with mild dishonesty I guess. I usually get a permit for each boat because I only have three, the cost isn't a huge issue for me, and it goes to support parks I enjoy.

 

[Alan Gage]

Iowa requires registration for anything over 12' as I recall (another reason for short kayaks being so popular). You're also supposed put the registration sticker on your canoe as well as unique hull ID numbers at least 3" tall, just like a power boat. Minnesota, just a few miles north, has similar regulations (but without the hull numbers). They're required no matter where you paddle in the state. An Iowa sticker will work in MN and a MN will work in Iowa as far as I know.

I've registered some of my boats but rarely (pretty much never) put any of the stickers on them. I've never put the hull numbers on a canoe or kayak, just the registration sticker. I'm generally paddling on small lakes and rivers that are not patrolled. The only time I've been ticketed was when I foolishly paddled a large river in Minnesota on Memorial day weekend. The DNR was out in a patrol boat and ticketed me and my friend. I had loaned my friend the boat for the day which meant I got to pay both of the tickets.

I don't get real worked up about it because, what's the use?, but I do find the whole system a bit aggravating. At one point I had 16 canoes and kayaks, most of them cheap old junkers. That means that legally I'd have to pay to have each of them registered. That's a lot of stickers and registration papers to keep straight (not to mention a bit expensive at registration time)!

I wouldn't feel so bad about it if I lived in Minnesota, which has a lot of canoe friendly waters, amenities, and water trails. But Iowa doesn't really have any of that. When I pay money to register my canoes I can be pretty sure where that money is going and it's not to make my life as a canoeist better.

Alan