Just picked up a personal toon and cant find info regarding life vests. Just wondering if anyone in PA can shed some light on the issue. Is it required for a pontoon, is a pontoon considered a watercraft in PA…
Any info would be appreciated. BTW I searched the PA Boating guide…not really clear on the pontoon thing.
Thanks for the link …I missed that.
If you launch it in ANY PA waters it is required by law that you must WEAR the PFD at ALL times…and yeah that launch permit thing is needed!
Ironcity,
Just a thought of caution: if you launch in any water-required or not, use a PFD. 
Rolling Rock native.
God Blesses!
A wing & a Prayer! ----*<(((><~ ~ ~ ~
Quinn
ironcity;
Law or not never be without a PFD!! Check out some of the inflatables at Cabela’s. Less bulky.
Don’t forget the Michigan Fish-In August 14th to the 20th. The Holy Water’s of the Au Sable await you!!
Cactus
A PFD is also required in PA for float tubes.
Get the SOS Suspenders or the waist pack. You’ll never regret spending the extra cash over a bulky vest type PFD.
Their not the SOS Suspender’s but Cabela’s sells the same thing made by stern’s I think and they are just as good…and a lot less in price…but still pricey…still worth the money on those hot sticky days…Their is also a Sponsor here that has Jackets fitted with same type PFD…for those colder days it’d be nice…I have no idea what they run ya though…
Inflatables are not a legal PFD in Pennsylvania. Cabela’s and Gander Mountain have some really nice Coast Gaurd Regulation PFD’s that function as a fly fishing vest.
Eric “nighthawk”
American veteran and proud of it!
I stand corrected. It seems that some inflatables are legal. Here is the link for acceptable PFD’s:
[url=http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/boatcrs/03boathandbook/legal8.htm:65a1e]http://sites.state.pa.us/PA_Exec/Fish_Boat/boatcrs/03boathandbook/legal8.htm[/url:65a1e]
Eric “nighthawk”
American veteran and proud of it!
Thanks for the info guys…
I will definetly wear a PFD. Just wanted to make sure I knew the rules.
So anyone want to recommend any other accesories that might be handy out on the water…
I just got a pontoon over the winter as well. I read the PFBC site as you needed to register any boat that was launched from a State boat launch…albeit lake or river.
I don’t have a motor on mine…yet, but I was wondering if I register it now and then get the motor what do I have to do to switch…anything? Also, once registered, do you have to still have the launch permit?
Derrick
Vocelli is right, it is VERY confusing. The PAFBC has their rules and DCNR has theirs. Just make sure YOU know the rules because some WCO’s and rangers don’t!
I’ve had more than one tell me I could use a motor on my float tube when the rule book clearly states NO MECHANICAL PROPULSION.
I keep a copy of the rules with me just in case I run across a WCO that tries to cite me for a rule I’m NOT breaking. It helps because Toons & Belly Boats are sort of in a class by themselves and many officers DON’T know the rules. I was stopped by a Game Commission officer who didn’t know what the rules were yet stopped me to check for compliance???
Oh by the way, make sure if you plan to go on city, township, or county waters you check with the respective authority. I have found more than one lake that prohibits inflatable watercraft.
Both options cost the same…weather just a launch permit or flat out registering the thing… 18.00 a year…you can get a launch permit for 2 years and save some of the hassle !!
If the PFD is Coastguard approved type III or better, It is leagal in PA…Make sure you keep that in mind when purchaseing!!!
[This message has been edited by billknepp (edited 25 April 2006).]