What Do Boaters Do in the Off Season?

AS BOAT SEASON COMES TO AN END………

What Do Boaters Do in the Off Season?

A couple of options come to mind as the days get cooler and our Tanglwood docks require all boats to be removed. These might include simply dreaming about next season, browsing through the many great photos you took as you reminisce those fun outings with friends and family, or sometimes considering an upgrade or selling your boat. Depending on your storage choices, you could also be doing repairs and routine maintenance.

The Commonwealth of Pennsylvania has an extensive website detailing all aspects of boating. The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission at www. The off season is a good time to make sure you are up to date on the regulations for Pennsylvania. Pennsylvania provides nearly unlimited opportunities for recreational boaters. PA has 85,000 miles of rivers and streams ranging from headwaters to major river systems.

What are the Boating Regulations in PA?

A good place to start is the online version of thePA Boating Handbook. This booklet is the textbook used in all of our boating safety classes. It provides detailed explanations of boating regulations and safety information.

NOTE: You may have to register or title your boat to use your boat in Pennsylvania. We have a separate FAQ that discussesboat registration and titling requirements.

Do I need a boating safety education certificate to operate my boat on Pennsylvania waters?

Boating Safety Education Certificates are required: • to operate a personal watercraft • for persons born on or after January 1, 1982, to operate boats powered by motors greater than 25 horsepower

The Fish & Boat Commission encourages all boat operators to obtain boating education training. We believe an educated boater is a safe boater. You can get • By taking aclassroom coursesponsored by one of the many volunteer boating safety groups across the Commonwealth. • Online coursescan be taken at Boat Pennsylvania, the only place to get a boating safety education certificate online. Once at the site, you may take the course as many times as you want. There is a small fee to take the final exam and receive your certificate. • Home video coursesare also offered at Boat Pennsylvania.

We have much more information about boating safety requirements and available courses on ourBoating Courses page.

I lost my boating safety certificate, how do I get a new one?

Use theDuplicate Safety Certificate Application Formto apply for a duplicate or replacement Commission Boating Safety Education Certificate OR to convert the certificate you earned from another approved organization (classroom course only - ex., USCG Auxiliary, US Power Squadrons) to a permanent one issued by the Commission. A nominal fee is charged.

This resource is a bonus for all Pennsylvania boaters to keep informed and for those starting to consider buying a boat.