Winter 1993 Volio Noi Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 1

Me KET51-0/79 Sidle 5 offic,o/sojtog Each year the Pennsylvania State Data Center(PSDC) conducts a survey of Pennsylvania Viewpoint citizens. The purpose of th issurvey is to measure the opinions on several topics about a variety of state planning efforts. Using randomly selected phone numbers from Pennsylvania's 1,474 telephone exchanges, the PSDC conducted 868 interviewsof citizens age 18 and older from November 14 through December 12, 1992. The Commission participated in the 1992 survey to assess the public awareness and knowledge of the agency and its work. We were also interested in estimating the number of people who fished or boated during the year as well as obtaining an estimate of the total number of boats in the state. Interestingly enough,only 68 percent of those surveyed knew that there wasan agency with specific responsibility for fishing and boating. Of the 868 adults interviewed,only 3.6 percent could identify this agency as the Fish,or Fish and Boat,Commission. A few others named the Game Commission or a variant. The startling fact is that almost 80 percent of thcee surveyed,including those who fish and boat,could not identify the agency Pennsylvania that provides and regulates fishing and boating. Boaters During 1992, an estimated 2.4 million adults boated in Pennsylvania. Thisestimate validates a 1987study by Chilton Research Associates that estimated that 2.47 million and people boated that year. Thus,the number of people participating in boating appears to have stabilized at 25 percent of the total population. Boating continues to be one Surveys of the top recreational activities in terms of total participation in the state. It is said that the only thing better than owning your own pickup truck is to have a good buddy who owns one. The same appears to be true with boats. Only 29 percent of respondents who boated during 1992 reported that they boated in their own boats. Sixty percent boated with a friend or relative and 17 percent rented a boat. The study estimates a total of 271,000 motorboats, which is very close to the actual 281,000 registered motorboats. Surprisingly,the number of unpowered boats isesti mated at 390,000. This estimate closely approximates the earlier estimates made in the Chilton survey, but greatly exceeds previous Commission estimates. If these figures are accurate, and we are beginning to accept them,then the total number of boats in Pennsylvania exceeds 660,000. As we mightexpect, most boating occurson public lakes. Fifty-four percent of all boating activity occurs there. Another 37 percent takes place on large rivers and only nine percent is done on private lakes or small streams. Past surveys have shown that more than 30 million boater days and $3 billion are expended each year in the pursuit of boating enjoyment by Pennsylvania citizens. Obviously, boating has a significant impact on the resource and on the economy of the state. This survey suggests that we rethink some of our programs. We are one of the old- eststate agencies, yet people still do not recognize us or our work. We have to do a better job informing the public of the role that the Fish and Boat Commission takes in the provision of fishing and boating opportunities in Pennsylvania. We muststrive to provide additional opportunities for boaters and anglers. Almost 80 percent of the people who boated last year, including 300,000 people who rented boats, did so in someone else's boat. Many ofthese people were first-time boaters. We must direct additional educational efforts to this group of boaters, and we must learn how we can ensure that their boating experience issafe and enjoyable. Our future planning efforts must consider that many of our boaters are not part of a traditional programming effort. Finally, we must assess John Simmons which demands for boating opportunities will be made and how we will satisfy these Director demands. Bureau of Boating The Commission is currently developing a long-range plan for fishing and boating. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission The information obtained from this survey will be invaluable as Commission manag- ers chart a course to the 21st century. winter 1993 volio Noi Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission 1. Wayne Yorks President Benton James S. Biery, Jr. Vice President Swatara Marilyn A. Black Cochranton Ross I. Huhn Whitewater Tricks for Cruising Canoes by Cliff Jacobson Saltsburg There's a method to the madness of getting safely down the rapids of an Donald N. Lacy unfamiliar river. Checkout these 10 rules for safe passage Reading 4 Paul J. Mahon Clarks Green Whitewater Run by Heidi Milbrand T. T. Metzger, Jr. Running a river is great fun, and beginners have to start somewhere. Johnstown Use these ideas on getting started and then decide where to go from the Howard E. Pflugfelder list ofseven best waterways 7 New Cumberland Leon Reed The Rebirth of an Old Canoe by Marge Wonderlich Honesdale Follow these step-by-step specifics on renewing an old canoe 10 William J. Sabatose Brockport Who's Teaching Kids Outdoor Pursuits? by Cheryl Hornung Boating Advisory Board Studiesshow that fewer and fewer youngsters are learning to boat, and that if young people aren't introduced to boating by the age of 18, Donald J. Little they probably won't pursue the sport. What can we do to pass on this legacy? Chairman 14 Philadelphia Clayton Buchanan Buying Better Boats by Louis Bignami Pittsburgh An insider tells you the essentials you need to know to buy a boat at Martin P. Eisert a fair price 16 Erie Judy Obert After Work on the Yough by Mike Sajna Green town The bottom Youghiogheny River,some 40 miles from Connellsville to Thaddeus Piotrowski McKeesport, is the perfectspot for an after-work canoe trip Bloomsburg 18 Magazine Staff How to Improve Your Water Skiing by Ann Kreisler Getting back to the basics of safety and technique can help you Editor—Art Michaels hone your skills Editorial Assistant—Charlene GI isan 23

Art Director—Ted Walke Warm and Dry by Cliff Jacobson Paddling early in the spring can be alluring, but five months of shoveling Circulation—Eleanor Mutch snow and watching TV can dull your paddling skills and numb your Circulation—Patti Copp judgment. Here's a plan to help you back into the swing of things 26

Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Bartal Fire Prevention by Cheryl Hornung Assistant—Nita Staff Lynch Fire aboard a boat can be a terrifying experience. Take steps now to Boat' ,mantra/de IISSN0888-1561)is publshed quarterly by the prevent it thisseason Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission.3532 Walnut Street. Har- 30 risburg, PA 12100. 01993. Nothing In this magazine may be reprinted without the vaitten permission of the Pennsylvania Fish Boat Commission Subscription rates.. oneyear.SOsingkcopies are SI 50 each Second class postage is paid at Harrisburg. PA. POSTMASTER Send address changes to: Boat PA Circulation. Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Ccamission.P.O. Box670C0. Harrisburg. PA I7106-7®0 For subsaiption andchange oladdress.useabove The covers address. Please allow three months for processing new subscrip- This issue's front-cover barefoot water skier was photographed tions. renewals and changesof address Send all other COrfe5P00- by Tom King. Learning to barefoot dence to The Editor. Brat Pennvillunia,P.O. Box 67000 Harrisburg. water ski requires building on basic water skiing skills to learn new techniques. That's the kind of in- PA 171067000. Editorial queriesandcontribotionsareweicome. formation but must be accompanied by self-addressed, stamped you can find in this issue—basics as well as more advanced how-to-do-it ideas. On page 26, envelopes. Material accepted for publication is subiect to Penn- you can forge ahead with new paddling skills built on basics. The article beginning on page 8 offers sylvania Fish& Boat Comm ission standards and requ irementsfor editing and revising. Submissk,ns are handled carefully, but the basic information on paddling, and the article on page 23 provides a brush-up on basic water skiing publisher assumes no responsibility for the return or safety ofsub- know-how. If you own a powerboat, don't miss the vital details on page 30. No matter missions In his possession or in transit. The authors' views. Ideas which kind of and advice expressed in this magazine do not necessarily reflect boating you prefer, check out the thought-provoking article on page 14. Do you want to buy a used the opinion or official position of the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat boat and get the most value for your investment? Better scan page Commission or its staff. The Pennsylvania Fish 6 Boat Commis- 16. Thisspring, if you live in southwest sion receives federal aid in sport fish restoration. Under appro- Pennsylvania and you'd like to get away from it all just for a while after work one evening,turn to page priate federal acts. the U.S. Department of the Interior prohibits 18. The back cover photograph was taken by Bill discrimination on the basisof race.ColOr, national origin.age. sex Burger, Dagger Canoe Company. or handicap. If youbelleve that you havebeendiscriminatedagainst In any program, activity, or facility as described above.or II you desire more information. please write to; The Office of Equal Op- portun Icy. Department of the Interior. Washington.DC 20240, HI ITVAIER, Kd feCRUL7ll G MOES, by Cliff Jacobson Round the bend you see the dancing horsetailsof the rapid. As isthe stern's prerogative, you command the bow to "brace" so you can stand for a better look. The way ahead looks clear so you settle to your knees and power toward the slick water vee, which defines the route. Suddenly,a huge rock pillow loomsout of nowhere; the bow misses hiscue, drawstoo late and the tottering craft dives into the yawning hole below. Capsize! Seconds later, paddlers and gear are immersed in the chilling grip of moving water. This irresponsible scenario is played again and again on rivers everywhere. Canoe- ists approach a drop,survey it briefly from above, then dash jubilantly downstream. More often than not, luck prevails and everyone simply has a splashing good time. But not always. As thisclassic case illustrates, unplanned urr-Pts can be fatal: It was September 14, 1955,on the Dubawnt River in the Northwest Territories of Canada,and already there was a crispness in the air. Each day,frost grew heavier on the morning ground. Arctic summer,so intense in early August, was gone now and autumn with its sub-freezing temperaturesand fierce polar gales had begun. Arthur Moffat,experienced trip leader, was worried: he knew the snows of winter were not far away. Moffat unfolded his map and stared unbelievingly at the thin ribbon of blue that assoon asthe ice melts in earlyspring. Clad was the Dubawnt river. Some 250 miles lay between hiscampsite and destination— in wet(or dry)suits and helmets, and se- the isolated settlement of Baker Lake. After cured to their boats with thigh straps and some diKussion there came a monumental The most unforgivable toe blocks, they play confidently in drops decision: Tosave time,the party would run that flatwater canoeists portage around. any rapid that "looked safe from the top." paddler's error is Fast forward turns into eddies and "bow Later that day they came upon a substan- upstream" procedures are iisPd to crossse- tial rapid. Moffat stood up in the canoe to recklessness failure to vere currents. Rarely do they backferry check it out. "Looks okay," he said. 'let's around curves or into eddies. run it Almost immediately it happened. scout a rapid from top to Even if you don't paddle serious rapids, Capsize! Another canoe followed suit be- you'll benefit by knowing the ways of hind. Four men now struggled for survival whitewater sport paddlers. But keep an in the icy waters of the Dubawnt. bottom before running it. open mind as you learn, because what Everyone was rescued quickly,so there Art Moffat made a number ofserious er- works best in a short, rockered canoe of- should have been no problems. But there rors, all of which are easily avoided by per- ten creates problems in a standard 17-foot was not enough wood to build a warming ceptive men and women with cautionary cruiser. There's a method to the madness fire and the crew knew little about hypo- Most unforgivable was recklessness— of getting safely down the rapids of an un- thermia. Wecan onlyspeculate why Moffat failure to scout a rapid from top to bottom familiar river. Here, in no particular order, died on that September day and his friends before running it. Second was a lack of are 10 rules for safe passage: did not. Perhaps he wasconcerned for the planning. Indeed, Moffat'sdiary, which was 1 When you see the dancing horsetails safety of the others and so neglected his later published in Sports Illustrated, gave no of a rapid, put ashore immediately,on the own treatment until it was too late. Or indication that he had a travel schedule at inside bend(more on this later)of the river maybe he was in poorer health than his all. There was no battle plan in the event and scout the entire drop. Shorelines are friends. of an "upsetting experience," and no respect often brushy and difficult to travel,so this Arthur Moffat was buried at Baker Lake, for the dangers of ice-cold water. No one advice is not always easy to follow. Often, Northwest Territories, in the land he loved in Moffat's crew understood the nature you may have to horse your way through best. A simple wooden cross in a lonely of hypothermia or knew how to treat it. shoulder-high willows, jump from rock to cemetery marks his grave. Whitewater thrill-seekers take to the river rock or cross a patch of knee-high mud,all

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- 5 drop by turning right just above a subsur- face rock that is difficult to see from the river. What to do? Station a person on the river bank, or make a trail sign at the location of the critical turn. • Maintain visual communication between canoes. Everyone should know the three mostcommon American Whitewater Affiliation "paddle" signals: est distance between points. "didn't know it was there." A significant • Help/Emergency. Wave your paddle The forward ferry is the opposite of the drop is almost always visible from above. overhead in a circular motion and give backferry. Same procedure,only the bow 4 Learn to separate the sound of a three blasts on your whistle. is turned upstream. If there is no safe pas- gentle rapid from the roar of a dangerous • Stop. Raise your paddle overhead to sage around the rapid on the inside bend, one. As you develop an "ear" for form a horizontal bar and pump it up and line your canoe well above the drop and whitewater, you'll discover that a substan- down. ferry to the far shore for another look. The tial upstream wind can magnify dangers, • All dear. Hold your paddle high (ver- forward ferry is much more powerful than and a downstream wind can minimize tical), blade face turned upriverso everyone its backpaddling cousin, but you'll need them. can see it. If there's a preferred route space and time to execute it if you're pad- 5 If the water is very cold or the river is through the whitewater,angle the paddle dling a stock tripping canoe. wide,try to run the whitewater asclose as 45 degrees toward it. Never point toward In 1982,friends and I experienced a polar possible to a shoreline. Capsize in 50-de- an obstacle you wish to avoid! gale along the remote Hood River in gree water in the midst of a 100-yard-wide 9 Maintain a realistic travel schedule Canada's Northwest Territories. For three rapid and you'll understand the need for that iscommensurate with your skills and days we were confined to our tents by 55 caution. traveling philosophy. Ten miles a day is a mile per hour winds and unrelenting rain. 6 Many backcountry trippers apply the reasonable figure to shoot for on a river you When the weather cleared, we were greeted "nine out of 10" rule before they commit haven't done before. Don't forget to con- by a silt-choked river in flood stage, the to a rapid. Can you run this drop nine out sider water levels when you plan. A fast run hydraulics of which commanded respect. of 10 times without capsizing? If not, better in early spring may be a long, disgusting There were uprooted dwarf willows and portage. drag in the shallows of late July. debris everywhere in the river, and it all Scenario: Your partner wants to run the 10 Respect the skills of your partner. piled up on the outside curves. The pow- rapid. You don't. Here aresome tricks you Some canoeistsare lucky enough to paddle erful current, which we estimated at more can use to support your position. "Well. with the same partner all the time. Oth- than 10 miles an hour, produced human- John, it's your boat. I won't take respon- ers have to adjust to the ways and i ncom- sized waves at the outside of every bend. sibility for what happens to it." petenciesofa new person on every trip they In many places, the river was more than a Conversely,"Sorry, John, it's my boat. I take. quarter-mile wide! can't afford to buy a new one for the family Whitewater training sessions? Are you Getting downstream that day wasa mat- trip this fall." kidding? Learning comes out of neccocity ter of staying tight on the inside bends, Or best of all: "I trust you. John, but I in the course of the trip. By trip'send the away from the debris and engulfing don't trust myself. I'm not up to this and new person is "trained." Too bad we may whitewater. First, we'd ferry furiously to I don't want to let you down." never see him or her again! All of which reach a right bank,only to ferry back across 7 Whitewater novices are often over- brings us to the bottom line: Whitewater the channel when the river curved left. I whelmed at the size and complexity of a tactics are for practiced whitewater teams. don't know what we would have done with- long,thundering rapid. At first look, there If in doubt about your partner's ability, por- out our well-practiced ferries. seems no alternative but to portage. But tage, portage, portage! 2 Equip each end of your canoe with once you learn to dissect the rapid into All in all, when you see the dancing 25 feet of brightly colored 3/8-inch diam- "manageable pieces" by scouting each ob- plumesof a lively rapid,scout it first from eter, polypropylene rope(it floats)so you stacle from eddy to eddy,options abound. the inside bend of the river. Dissect com- can line the boat around obstacles in the Scenario 1: Inspection reveals that you plex rapids into short, manageable drops river. Safety demands that you keep lines can run the clear vee to the big eddy just and use your practiced avoidance skills(fer- coiled and secured under a loop ofshock above the first drop. Because you can't see ries and eddy turns)to run from eddy to cord on the deck when they're not in use. what's around the bend, you'll put ashore eddy. Develop an ear and eye for the sound 3 Learn to identify ledges(falls) from there and scout to the next safe stopping and sight of dangerous water and apply the above by the "obstacle height comparison place. If the rapidsare too rough,you'll line "nine out of 10" rule to every rapid you run. method." That is, visually compare the or portage. This"bits and pieces" approach Paddle difficult rapids near the shoreline height ofshoreline trees, boulders,canyon puts a heart-throbbing rapid into nego- if the river is wide or the water cold. Fail- walls, etc., which dot the shoreline with tiable perspective. ing this, line or portage. Finally, adhere to those that are downstream. I am always Scenario 2: There's a clear channel on a realistic travel schedule and develop a sig- amazed when I hear stories about canoeists river left that terminates at an unrunnable naling system everyone can who paddled over a dam because they ledge, 200 yards below. You can avoid the understand.

6 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania MAIER* rrrill Heidi If your idea of boating isone tube for you ,one tube for the refresh- wildlife? Rescue situations? mentsand a very placid stream,then look elsewhere—whitewater Knowing your limitations must be coupled with a knowledge boating is not for everyone. Before considering doing whitewater, of all potential hazards, which include remoteness of the area, consider yourself, your skill level, your sense of safety and what the class of water to be paddled, wind conditions and the water moving water you plan to tackle. Anyone who travels on and air temperatures. Inexperience paired with improper knowl- whitewater has to be safety-conscious. This means using extra flo- edge and planning can be disastrous. Be aware of everything! tation in every boat, wearing a lifejacket and helmet, Whatto know and alwayscarrying a throw Asa beginner, you want bag. to start out with rivers that Although any fast-paced do not involve too much water can be nasty with risk. Asyour skills progress, chest-slapping waves, in- along with your confi- timidating hydraulics and dence,you can move on to rocks that seem to leap in bigger and better waters. front of the boat, almost But how do you find these every rapid empties into a calm pool. For the paddler, this flat easy rivers to start out? The American Whitewater Affiliation has water isa place to takecare of the necessities—catching your breath, 'graded- all the rivers in the area using a scale of difficulty ranging slowing your heartbeat and scouting to see what lies ahead. It's from Class Ito Class VI. also a safe place to rescue anyone who may have exited the boat, Class I. Moving water with a few riffles and small waves. Few either on purpose or by accident. And paddlers traveling together or no obstructions. Best for beginners. can use these pools to regroup and make sure that everyone is Class II. Easy rapids with waves up to three feet and wide,clear all right. channels that are obvious without scouting.Some maneuvering is required. Why run a river? Class III. Rapids with high, irregular waves often are capable River-running can combine many of our favorite outdoor pas- ofswamping an open canoe. Narrow passages that often require times into one activity: fishing,camping, hiking, photography, complex maneuvering. bird watching,etc. People enjoy whitewater boating because it Class IV. Long,difficult rapids with constricted passages that isexhilarating,fun and buildsyour confidence beyond belief. In- often require precise maneuvering in very turbulent waters. Scout- deed, one common thread among all who safely run rivers and ing from shore isoften necessary and conditions make rescue dif- whitewater is a profound respect for the power of moving water. ficult. The main job of persons who run rivers is the same as for all other Class V. Extremely difficult, long and very violent rapids with boaters—keeping your body in the boat and keeping the water highly congested routes. Rescue conditionsare difficult and there out. In open boatson fast-moving water, that job becomes very is significant hazard to life in the event of a mishap. important. Class VI. Difficulties of Classy carried to the extreme of navi- gability. Nearly impossible and very dangerous. Only for teams Before getting under way of experts. Successful paddling requires a delicate balance of coordina- Keep in mind that thisscale isonly a guideline because all river tion and dexterity. No written wordscan properly prepare an in- sections are different combinationsofshape, duration and location dividual for the sport. It requires the acquisition of skills that can of hazards. Any run's difficulty varies with the water depth and be obtained only through practice. There is no substitute for good flow rate on a given day. Find out what the river conditions are skills and knowledge in canoeing,kayaking or whitewater boating. on the day that you want to make your run. Training is available from local canoe and paddling clubs, the American Red Cross and the American Canoe Association. Where to go Besides the acquired skills, properly outfitting your boat is a Now that you know the degree of difficulty you are looking for, necessity. Always wear your personal flotation device and hel- consult a guidebook that describes rivers near you. These books met,and make sure your boat has extra flotation. Carry a throw are often updated,so ask a local retailer(of outdoor gear and cloth- bag or two,a first aid kit, a bailer, a dry bag(sealed properly)with ing)or a local canoe club where you can get the latest informa- dry clothes and food in it, and always be knowledgeable of the tion. Asa beginner,focuson Class I. River maps,which show rapids water you will be running. and their ratings,suggested routes down the river, put-in and take- Some questions to ask yourself before you begin include: Are out points, dams and more, are useful sources of information. you skilled enough to deal with potential water hazards? Aquatic

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 7 Pennsylvania's Best Whitewater Trips I. Youghiogheny River, 1 1 Ohiopyle State Park. 2. Slippery Rock Creek, McConnells Mill State Park. 3. Moshannon Creek. 4. Pine Creek. 5. Lehigh River, Lehigh Gorge State Park. 6. Tohickon Creek, Ralph Stover State Park. 7. Casselman River. Let's take a look at what the Keystone State has to offer. stream with an acid-iron pollution problem from abandoned coal • Casselman River. The Casselman starts high atop the pla- mines that has turned the stream bed a yellowish-red. teau of western Maryland and followsan arc acrossSomert County One of the more popular runs is from Peale to Karthaus, cov- to end in the Youghiogheny. This run is 20 miles long and can be ering 15 miles and Class II and III water. Put in at the Peale bridge done in two trips. From Garret to Markleton (Classl, II) is 14 miles, on a small dirt road between Grassflat and Moshannon. To get to and this section flows through a wooded gorge that offers a vis- this bridge, takel-80 to exit 21, then Route 53 north. Go about five ible railroad and some fire-damaged forest land. There are a few miles and then make a right, and follow the road to the bridge. easy rapids. Below Rockwood,the river's pace picks up and goes The first few miles is relatively easy. After that, it iscontinuous through some challenging rapids. The bridge is off limits in Class II action (Class III depending on the water level), with little Markleton,so travel downstream a little farther and takeout along or no still water. When you do reach the mouth of the Red Mo, the road upstream of town or exit at the town of Casselman with you will see that it goes "uphill" to crash into the West Branch of permission. the Susquehanna. The take-out is on the West Branch at the Route From Markleton to Fort Hill (Class II. III) is six miles long. This 879 bridge at Karthaus. No rental facilities are available. section isgreat to practice your whitewater moves. The rapids are • Slippery Rock Creek, McConnells Mill State Park. often long and when the water is up, it can be technical. Because The creek cuts a gorge 400 feet deep through an otherwise roll- of Markelton's access difficulties, consider starting upstream at ing countryside,creating Class III-1V rapids. The section generally Ca3selman or Rockwood. Take out in Fort Hill. To get to Garret, run is from Kennedy Mill to Harris bridge, over seven miles long. take the Turnpike to exit 10, then Route 219south where it intersects The upper stretch is generally easy. When you reach McConnells with Route 653 No rental facilities are available. Mill, portage on the left. The mill dam is here. Below the dam, • Youghiogheny River, Ohiopyle State Park. The very the creek launches into a slalom through boulders, blind turnsand name Ohiopyle means"white frothy water." This large and powerful narrow chutes. Because the creek isconstricted in some spots, the river providessome of the best whitewater boating in the East in rapids take on big-river-like disorder. Because of this,only advanced the 1,700-foot gorge. PFDs must be worn and the park's rules and paddlers should attempt this run. Take out at Harris bridge. To regulations must be obeyed. The famous lower river begins after get to McConnells Mill State Park. take either1-80 to Route 79south Ohiopyle Falls within the park and contains Class III and IV rap- to Route 422 west or the Turnpike exit 3 to Route 79 north to Route ids. Four authorized concescionaires provide guided river runson 422 west. No rental facilities are available. the lower section. The lower section runs from Ohiopyle to Bruner • Lehigh River, Lehigh Gorge State Park. Thisspot Run and is eight miles. The put-in is at the access maintained by is a whitewater paradise that offers some fine whitewater in the the park below the falls. The take-out is at Bruner Run,on the left Northeast. For this reason, the river becomescrowded during the and isclearly marked with a sign on the right. If you run the river peak season—April to August, and it is located off 1-80 and the with an outfitter, transportation is provided from the river back Turnpike, which makes it easily accessible for everyone. The Francis to the put-in. If you run the river with your own group,transportation E. Walter Dam,located upstream,can change the water drastically is provided from the river to a parking lot 1 1/2 miles away from with its releases. The dam isa U.S. Army Corpsof Engineers project, the river and it will cost you a shuttle ride. CAUTION: This sec- and special weekends are designated for releases. Beginning at tion can be dangerous for the beginner or novice canoeist if you the dam,the river enters the gorge, which extends over 30 miles are not familiar with it. Familiarize yourself by taking a guided trip to Jim Thorpe. Boaters in the park must respect the state park rules or going down with experienced and knowledgeable canoeists or and regulations. All boaters must wear a personal flotation de- kayakers. Launch permitsor registration is required for all boaters. vice and extra flotation is recommended for all hard boats. Boating Reservationsare highly recommended. Call the park office at 412- is not permitted between the dam and White Haven. 329-8591 for more information. From White Haven to fim Thorpe,the river covers 24 miles and To get to Ohiopyle State Park, take the Turnpike to exit 9 and Class II and III water. River access is on the west bank off Route 940 follow Route 31 to 711. At Normalville,take Route 381, which paxes in White Haven. The river requiresyour attention with sometimes through Ohiopyle. long, boulder-filled rapids. Below Rockport,the river begins to pick • Pine Creek. Thiscreek hascarved out Pennsylvania's"Grand up speed as it getssteeper. It also begins to get complex,running Canyon" and is probably one of the most popular canoe streams through holesand paddling over rocks. Below the Route903 bridge, in the state. The scenery along this stream is rugged and beau- the town of lim Thorpe appears and the take-out is on the right tiful. A very common run is from Ansonia to Blackwell, Class 1, II at the borough parking area located behind the train station. and III water, approximately 19 miles long. You can put in at the Guided tripsare available. Call either Hickory Run State Park, 717- Big MeadowsAccess just off Route 6 at Ansonia(eight miles west 443-9991,or Lehigh Gorge State Park, 717-427-8161,for information of WelIsboro). Make sure you stop and check Owassee Rapids to regarding guided trips. determine the correct route. Keep left to avoid trouble. The creek • Tohickon Creek, Ralph Stover State Park. Special follows a bend around Mount Tom and enters the canyon through upstream releases from Ncckamixon State Park occur one weekend a high mountain gate. Take out at the Blackwell Access located in early spring and late autumn. Tohickon Creek offers a techni- along Route 414, just south of the Pine Creek bridge in Blackwell. cally challenging course for closed deck canoes and kayaks. Put Guided tripsand rentalsare available. Call Leonard Harrison State in at State Park Road in Ralph Stover. This marks the beginning Park, 717-724-3061, for more information. of a deep, narrow gorge,surrounded by high cliffs. The whitewater • Moshannon Creek. Commonly known as the "Red Mo," picks up speed and difficulty as it races to the Delaware. Take out thisstream will delight a wide range of paddlerswith smooth water, at Route 32. To get to Ralph Stover State Park, take the niceKenery and intermediate whitewater. It isconveniently located Turnpike to exit 27. Follow Route 611 to the park. in the center of the state and accessible to all. It is a wilderness No rental facilities available. 01

Winier 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 9 THE REBIRTH OF AN OLD CANOE BY MARGE WONDERLICH

Before you let a second-hand man cart condition and had such a rich patina we able to withstand hearty use on our rocky your old canoe away,consider the possi- wanted to preserve the craft and make it streams and rivers. We also wanted to re- bility of refinishing it. Many outdoor trad- functional again. So we stripped,sanded, finish it only once and be able to patch it ing posts have popped up throughout the fiberglassed, primed,stained and painted easily if necesary. The following procedure, Commonwealth,and an inspection of their our canoe. When we finished the job, we with tips we picked up along the way,can watercraft reposing in the weather may re- all agreed the resultswere beautiful—it was help you from start to finish with your own veal a prize. Backyards, barns,garages and worth it! project. old sheds may also contain an Jnusable ca- We decided to use fiberglass rather than Carefully remove the keel and gun- noe the owner would love to get rid of. re-canvasour canoe because we felt fiber- /1 wales. Depending on the age of your Canoes, especially those with wooden glasswould be much tougher—it would be canoe,they may be brittle and could break ribs and covered with canvas, have been susceptible to rot over the years. Because they are no longer functional in their present state, they are often discarded and can be bought for as little as$50 to $100. These canoes are almost pieces of art in their beauty. They are sleek and sport natural wood interiors that would cost a mint to reproduce today. Thissummer, my husband, David,and I decided that one of our family projects would be to refinish our well-used and loved but worn-out canoe. It was made by the White Company in Old Town, Maine, sometime in the 1940s. Even though its ex- tenor had gone the way ofso many canoes, the interior wooden ribs were still in good

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in 11 dm After the epoxy and fiberglass has dried,sand 2%of down the rough spots. As you sand and then wipe off the dust, inspect for pinholes where you didn't quite saturate the fabric, and note these locations. „d After the basic coat of epoxy, brush on another 2 11 complete coat toseal and toughen the skin of the canoe. This is your opportunity to cover those tiny holes you missed with the first coat. el,es , Lightly sand this final coat of epoxy to prepare it for the primer. We used #150sandpaper for this step. .piz A coat of primer applied before the outer coat ths 4-17 of paint will help smooth over any imperfec- tions that may have been caused by wrinkled fiberglass or bubbles not eliminated before the epoxy hardened. The primer goes on easily and also helps fill those per- sistent pinholes. Primer is another optional step we were glad we took the time to do. Ac We found that one coat of final paint(a beau- 2-IF tiful forest green) was sufficient to cover our canoe. One pint was sufficient. a” While the canoe is drying during the various 24-1P stages, you can work on the keel and gunwales. We decided to strip them,stain, and give them a coat of exterior varnish fora natural wood finish. They provide a nice contrast to our green canoe. b Attach the keel and gunwales to your canoe 2 with the screws you saved when you removed because it will not be white, but will be similar to the exterior color. When you mix the coloring agent into the epoxy, mix it into the resin(about I/4-tube per quart)before you add the hardener so you don't take away from valuable applying time after you have mixed the two main parts together. The finish will be translucent, and depending on the look you want, you may decide not to put on a final coat of paint. Use gloves to protect your handsand make iI 3 cleaning up easier. We found disposable models for $.49 that were a lot tougher than we expected, and very handy. Brush on the mixture quickly but thor- 11 oughly. It iscritical to cover the fabric com- pletely,saturated to the point that you see square section at a time, brushing on the them. You need to drill small starter holes no more white showing. epoxy and spreading it out assmoothly as from the inside for the keel, and from the At the same time someone is possible. Move on only when you have outside for the gunwales. Before putting 11 5 brushing the epoxy into the fiber- completed the section. Once the mixture in the keel screws,apply clearsil iconeseal- glass, it helps to have another person rolling hardens, you are done, whether you want ant(tub or aquarium )to each hole. When the bubblesout. We were very glad our two to be or not. you tighten the keel to the canoe with the sons were able to help us—all eight hands When you run out of epoxy, mix screws, the sealer prevents the keel from were definitely put to use brushing on the I7 more as needed, trying to add causing a leak. Wipe any excess from the epoxy,smoothing out the fiberglass(with about the same amount of coloring agent bottom of the canoe before it dries. Brass gloved fingers),and rolling out the bubbles. each time. screws add a lovely touch,and they don't This is one of the most important times, ollib Do not apply the epoxy to your rust. If you started with brass, polish them and the most frustrating, but patience 4241 canoe at night if you are working first or buy replacements. helps. lust keep after it, smoothing and outside, because the evening dew will in- It is very exciting to see a worn-out, rolling until all the bubblesare eliminated terfere with the gloss. unusable canoe transformed into a beau- and the fiberglass is thoroughly saturated. If you are applying the epoxy over tiful, functional craft. Asa result of your b Do not attempt to do the whole 9 a two-day period, you can save work, you have a fine canoe for fishing, ex- II canoe at once. The epoxy dries the brush for reuse by wrapping it in foil and ploring, or just plain floating down a favor- too quickly. Plan on doing about a two-foot placing it in your freezer. ite stretch of water. Try rebuilding an era old canoe. It is definitely worth it! 12 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania MATERIALS AND COS ii S Stain $3.59/half pint. Coloring agent $4.15/tube. Exterior varnish $4.59/half pint. Fiberglass $6.40/yard. Exterior paint $12.99/quart. Primer $12.99/quart. #60 & #150 sandpaper averages $.50/sheet. Epoxy hardener and resin...$97.75/gallon + $29.77/quart.

EQUIPMENT Saw horses or something comparable to Paint brushes elevate the canoe to a workable position. (2 1/2-inch for canoe, one-inch Replacement parts:for Old Town canoes for keel and gunwales) call 207-827-5513; Jerry Stelmok of Island Drill & 1/16-inch bit Falls Canoe at 207-564-7612 has the White Screwdriver canoe molds and restores them; or try Chisel Rollin Thurlow of the NorthwoocIsCanoe Gloves Company at 207-564-3667(he hasa catalog Stir sticks of restoration parts for most canoes).—MW. Roller

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 13 1 • • • •Teaching KID ,130 • SI •WHO • Outdoor Pursullso by Cheryl Hornung Pennsylvanians value the outdoor recre- Our population is also aging. Baby- One-fourth of all children under 18 are ation activitiesthat ourstate offers,whether boomers are entering their 40s. They are living with only one parent. Half the num- it's the exhilaration of making that tour- switching from activities such as fishing, ber of all children will live in a single-parent nament water ski jump, paddling down a camping and boating to other formsof rec- family before age 18. Mostof these families stream'squiet channels, catching a trophy reation. Their children are not taking up are headed by women. Single women fish or just watching the beautiful outdoors. these outdoor pursuits astheir parents did rarely fish, boat or camp. Their children However,fewer numbersof our youth are when they were children. These children are seldom introduced to these activities. attracted to what was once seen as these spend a great deal of time with videos, Studies haveshown that ifchildren are not "traditional outdoor activities." This trend computers and other electronic options. introduced to these activities by the time is disturbing notonly in Penn- sylvania but across the country. We need to keep our young people in touch with our natural environment. What is happening to our youth today? Schools and social agencies tell us that today's youth face significant problems,including drug and alcohol abuse,teen pregnancy, violent and anti-social behavior,abuse, excessive stress and low self-esteem. All of these factors contribute to why our youth are not having the opportunity to enjoy outdoor leisure activities. Take a close look at your life. Change has affected all of us— not just our youth. Our world has become computerized. We expect fast results and fast service. We have many new options to "play" within our leisure time, including VCRs, home computers,cable TV, video games and many other formsof entertainment. How many teenagers do you know who do not play Nintendo or video games? Asour options for using leisure time mul- Half the number of all American children tiply, traditional outdoor activities get a will live in a single-parent family before smaller share. Two-career fam iliescomprise approxi- age 18. Most of these families are mately 70 percent of households with headed by women. Single women couples. This trend will continue to increase over the next decade and will reduce rarely fish, boat and camp. Their family recreation time. Families may not be able tospend a weekend camping,fish- children are seldom introduced ing and boating as they once did. to outdoor activities.

14 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania Introducing your child to boating There are few activities more exciting to a child than a boat ride. There are schools, summercamps,Koutgroupsand parksthat provide hands-on in-water courses to introduce your child to the excitement of boating while learning the proper safety measures. The Commission hasa Boating and Water Safety Awareness Course that targets Pennsylvania's middle and high school students. It isan eight-hour program they are 18, they will probably never pursue students, introducing them to the concepts taught in a classroom and in the water. these outdoor activities. of leadership, physical fitness and Topicscovered in the classroom include life comnnraderie through outdoor settings. jackets,safety equipment, basic boat op- What can we do? Activities of boating,swimming, physical eration, rules of the road and hazards on Getting involved helps. There are many fitness, self-defense, firearms safety and the water. The remaining time isspent in organizations across the state introducing drug awareness are often included. the water practicing these small-boatsafety youngsters to outdoor pursuits. A group Statewide Big Brother/Big Sister(BB/ tips. Students learn how to swim wearing of concerned parents, teachers and coun- BS)agencies have been working with lo- a life jacket, paddle a swamped canoe to selorsat the Lower Dauphin School District cal sportsmen'sclubs and boating groups shore,cl imb moron top of a swamped boat in Hummelstown. Dauphin County, took to sponsor outdoor programs. A York to await rescue, practice hypothermia pre- a major step to do something about this County personal watercraft dealer, Don's vention techniques, and safely rescue a problem by forming a group called "High Kawasaki and Yamaha, sponsored "Personal classmate in a water emergency. Students on Kids." This group,concerned with the Watercraft Days" with the York and Tri- must successfully pass both the written and use of alcohol and drugs in the school sys- County( Harrisburg) Big Brother/Big Sister skills tests to receive a boating safety cer- tem, is busy promoting safe activities for programs. The company donated its time tification card. youth. They raised enough fundsandcom- and boats to give the city youth a chance Thiscourse is endorsed by the Pennsyl- munity support to sponsor a one-week to experience this exhilarating new sport. vania Aquatic Council and the Pennsylva- camp to introduce middle school students Many of these kids had the opportunity to nia Department of Education. Itscontents to activities such as boating, fishing, ar- experience something they had only are approved by the National Association chery, rifle shooting,sporting clays, drug dreamed about. They also had the oppor- of State Boating Law Administrators. If awareness and karate. Dan Statt, a con- tunity to learn boating safety and fishing your child boats in a state that has a man- cerned parent and local Boy Scout leader, tips from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat datory boating education requirement, is in charge of the next camp. He says that Commission. passing this course and carrying its boat- last year'scamp wasso successful and that All of these programsgive teensa chance ing safety certificate meet those require- it filled up so quickly that next year the to experience outdoor recreation activities. ments. group hopes to expand the effort to two In addition to making the outdoors "user This boating course allows children to separate week-long camps. friendly" to the teens, these activitiesalso experience boating at a new level. They not Sportsmen's clubs across the state do- emphasize cooperation, interdependence only learn the boating rules and regula- nate time in the summer to coordinate and social skills. Partnershipsformed with tions, but they have fun practicing their week-long "conservation camps." They, like local agencies and volunteers al low these newly acquired skills. They can spend time the "High on Kids" group, depend on lo- beneficial programs to be offered. in quiet wonder,or like most children, in cal contributionsand donated time to run You,too, can get involved. If you are an noisy excitement. Either way, they have their programs. Volunteer chaperones outdoor enthusiast, contact your local learned to appreciate and respect the "camp" with the teens for a week. They sportsman clubs, State Police headquar- challenges and joys of thisoutdoor recre- teach or assist with programssuch as boat- ters, Big Brother/Big Sister office or any ational activity. ing safety, fishing skills, stream improve- other such group and see if it sponsors For more information on where this ment, hunting safety, tree and wild plant summer campsor outdoor activities. If so, course is offered, or if you know a group identification and astronomy. volunteer your time. You'll enjoy opening interested in instructing this program, The Pennsylvania State Police sponsors the eyesof the teenagers to what the out- contact the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat teen "Camp Cadet" programs across the doors has to offer, and they'll learn an Commission, Bureau of Boating, P.O. Box state, targeting middle and high school outdoor skill that might otherwise be for- 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000, ct gotten. or phone(717) 657-4540.

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 15 by Louis Bignami

4 a

/uring the years it has become clear that boatersspend more than they need tor boats and aquatic gear. Buying the wrong boat type,"turkey" models in a class. or used junkets, wastes far too much money. [learned this the hard way,and more than I wanted to know about dry rot, when I bought a "bargain" wooden sailboat from a high school classmate and discovered the dubious joys of dry rot, mildewed sails and sprung planks. If smart sailors learn from their mistakes, it'squite certain that the smartest sailors learn from those of others. So here's a start. These days I review boats for many magazines. Hulls in the last test batch ranged from 16- foot open fishing skiffs to 30-foot power cruisers, and included both fishing boats and exotic designssuch as a 23-foot offshore racing boat that hit 70 knots with four aboard through three- to four-foot chop. My own boats run from inflatables, foldables and canoes to skiffs. To start, realize that premium boatscost more than similar length,lower quality hulls. However, the difference may shrink if you check the options not included on other craft. Premium boats use an extremely sturdy hull with the best possible combination of materials. Then the manufacturers set a price. Some boat manufacturersainn at a price and then build the biggest hull with minimal quality. Craft in the latter cla% might suit flat water, or those who only boat a few times a year. But if you boat in big water,or operate a ski boat at 60 knots two or three times a week,quality costs less per hour because resale values stay high and repair costs remain low. Boats must,of course, match the intended use. Open offshore fishing skiffssu it those who fish open or rough water and stand and cast all day. Those who want to laze in comfort enjoy the benefits of cuddy cabins. So hull choice is yours. One thing must be certain, boatetsalways lust for more boat than theycan afford. How much you can spend for the boat, trailer, motor and options package? Don't compare apples and

16 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania oranges. Some manufacturers "fill every gives you the perspective you need to price touches and durable fabric and plastics look hole" in the dash. Others package hulls. used craft. Collect booklets and talk to better and last longer than the least expen- trailers, motorsand electronics. Othersll dealers and other boaters. sive vinyl. Cockpit console finish and carpet bare hulls and let boaters add what they Talk to boaters who want to buy or trade type tell you more. Look at a half-dozen like. up to a more expensive model in the same boatsfrom different owners. You can easily Tostart,don't overlook skiffs, inflatables, line. They must be satisfied. see qual ity construction and,in some cases, canoesor kayaks for light use in sheltered If possible,shop all summer. Then buy quality care. waters. Such small boats may be all you at season-end saleswhen ownersand deal- If possible, peak underneath the con- need. However, if you want to fish big,open ersseem anxiousfor sales tosolve off-season sole—I use a dentist's mirror on a stick to water or spend more time afloat in more cash flow problems. check in odd spots. A tidy wiring harness comfort, look for more boat. To ensure boat quality, I start with the testifies to that extra care that signals qual- Many experts think new boaters do best boat upon the trailer. A slick trailer with ity. Old candy wrappers tell another story. with new packages from local marinas or sturdy bunkers that fit the boat exactly and Don't get snowed by electric radio anten- boatsalesoperations. Their rationale is that may include a travel cover is a plus. Owners nas, wipers, horns and the like. Look for locals know the conditions, help is nearby, who take the time to detail their craft seem basics. and because of your package, you have careful in other areas, too. Basic instru ments are worth the money. more leverage if it comesto warranty prob- Hidden surfacesseem a good test of over- Besides the usual RPM and MPH gauges, lemsthan if you buy everythi ng separately. all quality. Run your hand carefully into ar- oil PSI,engine temperature,fuel, AMP and Othersclaim lower prices through cata- eas on the hull you can't spot. Rough sur- the like are useful. So is an engine hour log, mail order or distant dealers whospe- faces or screws where well-found boats use gauge to ensure proper tuneups on cial ize in bulk sales justify potential prob- bolt-through fittings and inexpensive inboards and I/0s. Tilt and trim gauges, lems when something breaks. They claim chrome in place of stainless grab rails and depthfinders, VHF radios and other elec- "money is the bottom line and it's the such suggest similar problems in areas you tronics repay their investment in ease and manufacturer's warranty that counts." can't see. safety. However,the best bargains are often off- Aluminum hulls seem easy to check. However, electronic add-ons,such as season sales by users who have discovered Look for careful,even rivetsand secureseats depth gauges, Loran or radar, do not help that their boating budget exceeded their or casting platforms. Avoid hulls with pro- much on resale. New buyers often have interest. Such seems particularly true in jecting bolt heads, sharp metal edges or their own preferences. So, when I sell my hard times. Here,the hire of a surveyor or odd creaks and groans. Pay close attention boat, I remove these itemsor substitute less other expert deserves attention. The next to the transom fit and check rivets and keel. expensive alternatives so my well-tested step is a realistic look at your budget. Fiberglass hulls are normally molded. and carefully maintained electronic gear First, what can you get on your old boat Kiln-dry solid wood stringersancVor fiber- goes onto the new boat. in sale or trade? Note: You need a sharp glass box beams with or without molded- If you check used boats at a dealership, pencil here. Sometimes inflated trade-in in flotation foam work well. Most makers survey the sales area quickly. Listen to the values are offset by prices on the new boat mold in internal wood stringers and add dealer. Pros know everything about the or options. Really look at your old boat and bulkheads to stiffen the hull before the boatsand gear theysell. but don'tshow off. trailer. Could new finish, motor, upholstery mold is popped. Plywood covered with Then go around back to the parts and ser- or electronicssatisfy your urge for change? fiberglassseems to dry rot eventually. Such vice department that makes such a big Note: A little cosmetic work on boat and is especially the case with "homemade" difference in owner satisfaction. Look for trailer can raise its resale price. craft. Realize that hand-laid glass uses full parts bins, and listen for an hour on a Second,examine your financing pack- sheets of different types of roving and mat. weekend ascustomersconne in. If too many age. Do you pay cash? That eliminates fi- This is preferred to "chopper gun" hulls that must wait too long for parts and service, nanci ng costs, but you lose your interest on merely spray on glass. Some foam in the look elsewhere. money taken from accounts and the lever- entire hull for extra flotation and to set Buying new boats makes demands on age with withheld payments if problems internal tanksand such sot idly in place. This boaters. Buying used boatscan sink the ex- come up. Financing is available from can, unfortunately, also hide defects. pertise of most. If possible, look boats over, banks, credit unions, thrifts, dealers and You can get a rough idea of hull quality check the typical resale price,ask the owner others. Wise shoppers might finance first. if you glance down the side of the hull. A why they sell and then, if you are still in- Then make a deal on the boat. Separate buddy who buildssome of the best offshore terested, get an option or contract of sale out any trade-ins. Then ask about terms racing boats in the world says, "if you see subject to inspection by an expert who for cash. Some Ilerscan handle their own distorted reflections, you don't get a good might charge $50 to $100 to inspect the financing. This is worth checking. gel coat. That's the reason only quality boat or hull. Then have another expert You need to"sharp pencil" your own deal. boatscome in dark colors. White and light check the engine or engines. Work a deal It's your money at stake! Don't overlook colors can hide defects." so that if the pros pass boat and motor, you tax advantages, either. Some larger live- Check hull graphics,too. Those stuck on pay. If the craft fails, the owner picks up the aboard vessels may qualify for tax savings abrade or tear off. Graphics under gel coats tab. under second-home statutes. do not. Buy a better boat for a fair price, keep Once you get the money organized, try Cockpit seats and upholstery tell a lot it up and it should last for years before you to attend boatshows that let you see dozens about the care a used boat enjoyed or suf- sell or trade it in for top dollar. That, not of different types of craft in one spot. This fered. Even welting, nice decorative flash and a bigger hole in the water, cr ensures real value.

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 17 After Work on the by Mike Sajna

Once when he was on vacation in his native Scotland, Andrew Carnegie was drawn to comment on the deplorable environmental and living conditions he ELAND found along the way in Great Britain's industrial heartland. NTY "We see the Black Country now," he wrote in Our Coaching Trip, "rows of little 982 dingy houses beyond, with tall smokey chimneys vomiting smoke, mills and blast furnaces, the very bottomless pit itself. ..To think of the green lanes, the larks, the Arcadia we have just left. Mount Pleasant Donegal How can people be got to live such Lake • terrible lives as they seem condemned to here? Why do they not all run away to the green fields just beyond?. . .But Scottdale do not let us forget that it is just Pittsburgh over again; nay, not even Star Junction C) /Green Lick quite so bad, for that city bears the Jacobs Creek Lake palm for dirt against the world." Virgin Run Champion yi In those laissez-faire days of the Lake Industrial Revolution when any 381 behavior, from the extermination of the 711 buffalo to the clearcutting of every forest in the East, was acceptable if it turned a profit, it never seemed to Indian Normalvill dawn on the steel magnate that he was Youshiosheny Connellsville Creek largely responsible for the condition of River Pittsburgh. So good a job did Carnegie

51 119 Dunbar Pittsburgh is the second- 40 Creek Jonathan largest urban center in Uniontown Run Cranbem/ 21 Glade Lake Pennsylvania, Ohiopyle and after- 119 Hopwood work paddling choices Meadow Run are limited. For people 40 381 FAYETTE living south and east of Farmington Youghiogheny the city, the lower Yough COUNTY Lake Aar chap Graphics-Ted Wallet is the best opportunity.

18 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania and his fellow robber barons do, however, that for a century after he made his observations the people of western Pennsylvania were still paying the price for his wealth and narrow vision with rivers dominated by ugly, polluting mills and streams turned orange by acid mine drainage. Over the last couple of decades, because of a combination of stricter environmental laws and the closing of ancient steel mills, Pittsburgh has sprung back to the point where The 1993 Information Please Environmental Almanac lists it as the 14th greenest city in the nation, ahead of such trendy towns as Miami, Atlanta, Denver, Phoenix, Dallas and Seattle. And in Pennsylvania, Pittsburgh was the greenest of them all, well ahead of smaller Harris- burg, Scranton and Allentown, ranked 24th, 30th and 41st respec- tively, and larger Philadelphia, ranked 27th. But even with plenty of clean air A = Brady's Bend and water, good transportation Cowanshanhock practices, low toxic chemical A = emissions, conservative energy use •= Rosston and price, the criteria on which the A = Tarentum Almanac based its rankings, Pitts- p= Springdale burgh second = Deer Creek Dome,. A Rh*, largest urban A center in = Southside ennsylvania. A = Rochester A = Leetsdale •= MOW:ULM Elizabeth North Pork LA 3 ' = Lk ,4C A Monongahela A tiorthroyWoO nmeorin LID •= Spears Ohio/ 0 101 Ilegh fly River ,U122 = East Fredicktown Rive Loyoltow Loke A = Rices Landing MonongahL A = Point Marion River A = McKeesport Cross Geok WESTMORELAND L. = Boston Youghioghen A •e" River

That means opportunities for WASHINGTON after-work paddlers to relax for a VSLO 0•• couple of hours on a quiet stretch of water surrounded by mountains • Ow* and trees are limited. Of course, Greys Und4ng UD there are exceptions to that rule, and the best, certainly for people Y°4*S000r • - living south and east of the city, is FAYETT E Lobo poarr Lake the "bottom Yough." CZI LIDS

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 19 most beautiful upstream sections. Watch for birds and wildlife along the banks and schools of lightning-fast white bass in the water. About midway to Dawson, 5.7 miles away and reachable off Route 819,stands the ruins of the Schenley Distillery, a faint echo of the region's industrial past. At Dawson, take- out is about 200 yards upstream of the Dawson bridge at the firemen's carnival site. The Dawson to Whitsett stretch of river runs 9.7 miles, according to the Pittsburgh Council American Youth Hostels' Canoeing Guide to Western Pennsylvania and Northern West Virginia, and, like the Connellsville to Dawson stretch, it is mostly wooded and pleasant. Good fishing for smallmouth bass, trout and a variety of other species can be found around the collection of boulders and deep holes at Layton a little over two miles above Whitsett. The area can be reached by following Township Road 495 off Route 51 south of Interstate 70 between Wickhaven and Perryopolis. These short excursions can provide A dirt road that starts between the main road and railroad tracks at Layton, across the river from Perryopolis, runs down a renewed sense of peace after to the river. It can be used as a take-out point, trimming a trip by about two miles. A safer parking place, though, is the a tough day on the job. canoe livery, which charges a small parking fee. At Smithton, about four miles downstream of Whitsett and reachable off the Smithton, Route 981, Exit of Interstate 70, the river becomes accessible to more and more people. Still, Beginning at Connellsville in Fayette County, the bottom of the towns of West Newton,6.5 miles below Smithton; the Youghiogheny River flows north about 40 miles through Sutersville, three miles beyond West Newton; and Boston, 11.5 Westmoreland and Allegheny counties to empty into the miles downstream of Sutersville are the main disruptions in Monongahela River at McKeesport. Throughout the stretch, it the scenery. Most homes, industrial sights and roads along is a gentle river without anything even vaguely approaching the stretch are screened by trees and brush. the rapids that annually draw thousands of whitewater rafters Access to the Youghiogheny at Smithton may be had at to Ohiopyle State Park farther upstream. numerous points along the road running upstream to the The main difficulties are swift runs and floating debris village of Jacobs Creek. West Newton can be found by taking during high-water periods, and shallow riffles that occasion- the West Newton, Route 31, Exit of Interstate 70. Access to the ally require paddlers to get out and drag their canoes in late river is also available at the West Newton Sportsmen's Club summer. Otherwise, it is all easy sailing, available year-round public launching area on the downstream end of town. because of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers flood control The roughly 14 miles of river remaining between Sutersville dam at Confluence near the Maryland line, and ideal for and the Yough'send at McKeesport is the most accessible for novices and families. an after-work float. The four-mile stretch from Boston to Numerous access points reachable off main highways or McKeesport is heavily populated and loaded with ugly good roads easily located and followed on PennDOT road industrial sites,so paddlers would do well to skip it and take maps also mean it is possible to tailor-make a trip to whatever out at the Fish and Boat Commission's Boston Park Access at time is available, from an evening to an entire day or even Boston,cutting the trip to 11.5 miles. That length can be weekend. trimmed in half to meet the time available by taking out at As may be expected, the upper end of the bottom Yough, the village of Buena Vista. from Connellsvil le downstream to Whitsett, is the most A shuttle for the trip can be set up by following Route 48 remote and scenic. As the river approaches McKeesport, the toward McKeesport and the borough of Boston. On the south greenery gives way to towns and touches of commerce. But side of Route 48, immediately after the Boston Bridge over even as the river draws closer to civilization, it still holds the Yough, turn right, and then right again to reach the Fish significant sections of water along which other canoeists are and Boat Commission's Boston Park Access on the down- rarely encountered and the only sights are green banks, stream side of the bridge. maybe a road or railbed, and the occasional town or scatter- To reach Buena Vista and Sutersville, return to the Boston ing of homes. The Connellsville stretch is the farthest section Bridge and turn left onto Renzie Road, which runs past the of the bottom Yough from Pittsburgh,so it might best be Super Dollar Market. Renzie Road leaves the river, but leads saved for a day-long trip for most city dwellers or suburban- to Buena Vista, where, under various names, it parallels the ites. Yough upstream to Sutersville. Paddlers can put in at Buena Put-in for the upper stretch is at the park near the junction Vista for a roughly six-mile trip, or if time permits, you can of U.S. Route 119 and North Seventh Street in Connellsville continue up to Sutersville to cover the entire 11.5 miles to near the replica of Colonel William Crawford's cabin. After Boston and a renewed sense of peace after a tough leaving Connellsville, the Youghiogheny is quickly surrounded day on the job. by towering wooded banks the equal of some of the river's

20 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania Boat Registration Facts. Allegheny County alone accounts for 10 Notice to Subscribers and Nixes percent of all of Pennsylvania's registered Act 1982-88 provides that certain boats. The number of registered boats in Penn- records of the Pennsylvania Fish and The newest boating trend on the water sylvania continues to grow steadily. Dur- Boat Commission are not public today is the personal watercraft. During the ing 1992, the total number of registered records for purposes of the Right-to- 1992 season, the number of registered boats reached 311,893(not i ncl udi ng dealer Know Law. This means that the Com- personal watercraft increased 25 percent registrations). This growth was a modest mission can place appropriate con- over 1991. The number of registered per- 3.7 percent increase from 1991. However, ditions on the release ofsuch records. sonal watercraft now totals 7,658. At the in the last 10 years,the number of registered The Commission hasdecided to make end of the 1992 season, Kawasaki led all boats in Pennsylvania has increased 53 the subscriber list for Boat Pennsylva- personal watercraft manufacturers with a percent. nia available to statewide nonprofit, total of 4,173 registered units. Yamaha was Allegheny County continues to be the nonpartisan fishing, boating and second with 2,115 and Bombardier state's leader with the largest concentra- sportsmen's organizations for non- (SeaDoo)wasthird with 1,135. Over the past tion of registered boats. At the end of the profit, noncommercial organizational four years, the total number of registered 1992 boati ngseason , 29,560 boats were reg- personal purposes under limited circum- watercraft has increased from istered in thiscounty. 3,225 to stances. 7,658(137.5 percent). With an increase of 694 (five percent) If you do not want your name and During the 1992 season, the Boat Reg- registered boats during the 1992 season, istration Division address included on the subscriber issued more than 21,000 Bucks County had the largest single in- "new" mailing list to be made available to boat registration numbersand more creace of any of Pennsylvania's67 counties. the described organizations, you must than 7,500 duplicate registration certifi- BucksCounty ranlcssecond among counties cates. notify the Commission in writing be- in the state for the total number of regis- The division fore January 1, 1993. Send a postcard registered more than 25,000 tered boats( 14,601). Luzerne, York, Mont- or letter stating,"Please exclude my unpowered boats in 1992. The unpowered gomery and Erie counties follow respec- name and address from Boat boat category increased by 5,0000ver 1991. tively. The overall average increase per Pennsylvania's subscriber mailing list." The unpowered boat category is forecast county for the 1992 season is 148 boats. show Send these notifications to Eleanor to modest increasesover the next few The southwest regional counties(Allegh- Mutch, Boat PA Circulation, P.O. Box registration seasons, because more and eny, Beaver, Washington and West- 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000. more boaters are using Commission-owned moreland)include 17 percent of the total lakesand accessareas.—Andrew Mutch,Chief, number of registered boats in Pennsylvania. Boat Registration Division, Bureau of Boating. Fatal Boating Accidents Increase For the first time in five years,the number the past two decades, particularly in the an accident unlessyou are wearing them." of fatalities in recreational boating acci- context of a boating population that has According to Ecker, boating while intoxi- dents has increased,according to the U.S. nearly tripled in size. cated(BW1) continues to be a serious prob- Coast Guard. Fatalities reached 924 in 1991, The Coast Guard attributes last year's lem. "We believe exccfzive alcohol con- up from 865 in 1990. The higher number increase in deaths to the warmer than usual sumption plays a part in at least half of all of deaths translates to a slightly higher fa- winter, which extended the boating sea- fatal boating accidents," he said, noting a tality rate for boating—the measure the son in many parts of the country. Milder study done for the Coast Guard indicating Coast Guard uses to put fatality statistics weather means more boating activity in that intoxicated boaters(with a blood al- in perspective with the growing boating late fall or early spring when hypothermia cohol level of .10 percent or above)are population. is a much greater risk to boaters who fall nearly 11 times more likely to die in a boat- Last year, the boat population grew by overboard or capsize. Capsizes and falls ing accident than those who are sober. half a million to an estimated total of 20 overboard accounted for more than 60 The National Marine Manufacturers million. This increase set the number of percent of all boating fatalities in 1991. Association(NMMA) and its members are fatalities for 1991 at 4.6 per 100,000 boats. According to Admiral William Ecker, striving to show alcohol's adverse role in Although this figure is up from 1990, when head of the Coast Guard's boating safety boatingsafety. Working with Miller Brewing fatalities numbered 4.4 per 100,000, it isan program,"Many deathscou Id be prevented Company,the N MMA encourages boaters improvement from I989—and showsa sig- in smaller,open boats if people would get to use a "designated driver" approach. A nificant progresssince 1971 when the death into the habit of wearing personal flotation training video to enhance BWI enforce- toll was 20.2 deaths per 100,000 boats. devices. Life jacketsarecomparable toseat ment effortsof marine patrol units nation- Overall,on -water safety has improved over belts in automobiles—they won't help in wide is also under development.

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 21 Currents

ntcommen RAMA Bens 1 read "Viewpoint" in the Summer that this approach to safety began mentheistiip. 1992 Boat Pennsylvania. andlagree that to take on life. Since then several the regulations in House Bill 1107 are other states, most of which are in campaign a necessary improvement to safe boat- the Northeast, have passed similar The Personal Watercraft Riders Asso- ing, but 1 feel it stopped short of the legislation. ciation(PWRA) has begun a membership most necessary improvement—licens- Last June, Representative Kasunic campaign to promote the nationwide ing. Until boat operators are licensed, introduced legislation (H.B. 280) development of local chapters. The and completion of a safe boating that would establish a system of association's focus is on developing in- course is required, the waterways will mandatory education in Pennsylva- dividual chapters to be instrumental in not be safe. 1 boat on Shenango Res- nia. This legislation is similar to the helping grassroots lobbying effortsfor the ervoir, and every weekend 'see unsafe Maryland law and would require personal watercraft industry. acts by people in boatsor on jet skis that boat operators born after July 1, The asscr iation's new executive direc- could lead to serious accidents. 1976,to complete a boating safety tor, Jane Begalla, will spearhead the de- Safety-minded people take safety education course. Technically, this velopment of the local chapters. As courseson their own. The reckless and is not a boat operation license be- PWRA assistant director for the past two uncaring won't take a safety course un- cause it requires the completion of years,she has been involved in personal lc are forced to do so. I encour- a course and the certificate is not watercraft regulations and legislation, age the Fish and Boat Commission to revokable. This bill is currently be- and has helped resolve many use and petition the state legislature to pass a ing discussed by the House Game access issues. Glyn Johnston,the former bill requiring all operatorsof motorized and Fisheries Committee. executive director, will work with com- watercraft to take an approved safety The Commission has endorsed munications and on-water event man- course and then to be licensed. the idea of mandatory education as agement. Fear of losingones license would do a means to help make the water- PWRA's main goal is to promote per- a lot to make boating more fun and ways safer and more enjoyable as sonal watercraft as a recognized and re- safer for all. Our officers do a good job, the number of boaters continues to spected part of the boatingcomnnunity. and a license law would give them the grow. Mandatory education is be- The association will expand the additional help and support they need. coming popular across the country industry'ssupport of personal watercraft The only arguments against licensing as boaters come to realize the need t icPrs and its efforts to educate the public are com ing from people who feel that for formal education in what has on safe and responsible use of personal they could not pass the test or that they become an increasingly compli- watercraft. Members of PWRA are ex- operate their boats in such a manner cated leisure activity. Boat operator posed to many areas of interest, includ- that they would lacE, their license. Are licensing is not popular because ing touring and group rides, environ- these the people we want to protect? sportsmen feel that licensing is an mental protection, rider responsibility Other states are starting to require unnecessary intrusion by govern- and how to keep access areas open. licensing, let's have Pennsylvania be a ment on their chosen recreational "I've responded to countless requests leader in the area ofsafe boating and pursuit. for help on a local level through the not a leader in accidents and deathson Right or wrong, both sides of the PWRA Hotline. This indicates that riders our waterways. issue have strong feelings about are ready to become involved in their —Chuck Paul, Pittsburgh, PA. licensing and mandatory education. own communities, and that's exactly Much work still needs to be accom- what our industry needs for longevity. The subject of mandatory educa- plished before a decision can be The PWRA offers the chance to gather tion or licensing has been discussed made concerning whether manda- for group rides, fun events, beach clean- for many years. Several states have tory education or boat operator ups,environmental seminars,and most had a youth boater education re- licensing is right for Pennsylvania. importantly, the ability to form a group quirement for many years, others We will continue to work with leg- that can act together to promote our have had a rudimentary licensing islators as they consider mandatory sport," Begalla said. program. However,these programs education. Your comments are an For more information,or if you're in- are mostly for generating revenue. important part of this process. terested in starting or joining a PWRA It wasn't until Maryland passed its —John F. Simmons, Director, Bureau chapter in your area, call the PWRA mandatory education legislation of Boating. Hotline at 1-800-833-2650. The address is925 North Pennsylvania Avenue, Win- ter Park, FL 32789.

22 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania How to Im rove Your

-44

Every water skier has had bad days. Jim,a friend of mine, had an extraordinarily bad day last September, which just happened to coincide with his first time water skiing. Jim had a girlfriend last September,and she had a 15-foot runabout. One beautiful early autumn day, Jim and hisgirlfriend and another couple decided to water ski on the Susquehanna River near Harrisburg. The Susquehanna in this area is known for its shallow water in autumn,and on this particular day, it was about four feet deep. Unaware of any potential hazards, Jim and his frienclswere totally unprepared for this trip. Violating all the safety regulations, none of the passengers had Coast Guard-approved PFDson board, nor did the boat have a working fire extinguisher. Additionally, the boat operator was unaware of any underwater hazards or shallow areas in the area where they were skiing. Setting himself up for potential disaster. Jim tackled the sport of water skiing for the first time. Without any initial professional instruction, Jim slipped into the waist-deep water, bravely held the towline, and yelled, "Hit it!" Without luck, the boat pulled Jim face-first along the water. A little shaken, yet full of proud determination. Jim made another Water skiing can be an invigorating experience attempt to stand up,again without avail. After several attempts. and exciting sport, great fun as well as excellent Jim succeeded in standing up! Yes! He was skiing, and breaking exercise, but it can also be dangerous if you all the rules of gravity. ignore the sport's safety procedures. The skier, As Jim skied along,out of control and in a proud daydream, he boat operator and observer must work as a team. lost his balance and clumsily fell backward. Stubbornly he held Each member needs to know individual skills. onto the rope in a futile attempt to regain his balance. The driver,

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 23 unaware of his fall, skated the boat along, dragging Jim under- • Boarding ladder or low freeboard. It provides the driver water. He surfaced long enough to gasp a I ungful of air and with the maximum view over both sides of the boat, while eas- immediately was pulled again beneath the surface. The driver ing boat entry for the skier. chatted away, unconcerned and still unaware of Jim's fall. She • Speedometer. It aids in establishing the skier's most com- dragged him over a section of hidden, underwater rocks with his fortable speed skis above the surface. In a scream of pain, Jim finally let go. Hurt and disillusioned, Jim quit skiing for the day and enjoyed Boat operator the comfortable boat ride, content to watch his friends ski. He The boat driver is especially important when pulling novice relaxed in the autumn sun, warm and peaceful. Suddenly the skiers. The driver must be a competent and capable driver and operator drove out of the deep channel where they had been skiing must be joined in the boat by a competent ohcerver. He must be and across a shallow section of the river. The outboard's lower on the lookout, especially when pulling novice skiers, for other unit hit a rock,causing the motor to become engulfed in flames. boats, hidden underwater objects, docks and other obstructions. The motor shot upward and into the boat. The flames,energized When pulling beginning skiers, the operator should drive about with oxygen, danced across the motor and the broken propeller, 15 to 22 mph,depending on the skier's weight, and between 36 and inched toward the leaking fuel tank. Confusion and panic to 40 mph for more experienced or barefoot skiers. erupted on board. The fire extinguisher didn't work. The flames When approaching a skier after a fall, always make sure that the crept closer to the fuel tank. Jim panicked. He jumped overboard skier is on the driver'sside and in full view of the driver. Turn off and began dousing the flamingengine with water. Slowly the fire the engine as the skier boards the boat. The fallen skier should was extinguished and calm was restored. signal the driver and other boats in the area by clasping both hands After attempting to restart the burnt and broken motor, both above the head or by raising a ski into the air. couples began to push the boat to the nearest ramp,about 100 yards north of their disabled position. They reached the landing Selecting skis exhausted and weary from their exciting and frightening day. And Choosing skiscan be confusing, because there are quite a variety Jim? He hasn't been water skiing since. ofskiscurrently available. However,all skisshould be madesturdily Over 17 million Americans water ski every year, with 1.7 mil- and be freeofsharpedges. This includesski tips, fins, foot bindings, lion new people attracted annually to the sport. Thankfully, the kneeboards and other attaching mechanisms. For children , skis sport has a relatively low casualty rate. According to a 1980 Coast should be between 40 and 50 inches in length. Adult skis range Guard report,only one out of 32,120 skierssuffered a substantial from between 60 and 70 inches long. injury, and one out of 384,615 skierswaskilled. What was the major cause of these injuries? According to a five-year Coast Guard study Signaling of water skiing accidents, most injuries were caused by a total The signals to prepare for takeoff are vocal. When the skier is disregard of safety procedures. comfortable in the water and in the "cannonball" position, he Let's review some basic ideasof safety and water skiing technique. informsthe driver that he is"in gear." Then the boat movesforward, taking up the slack in the line. When the line becomes taut, the Safety first skier yells, "Hit it!" and the driver opens the throttle for takeoff. Water skiing can be an exhilarating and exciting sport, great Once the skier isskiing, he can signal with one hand. A thumb- fun as well as excellent exercise, but it can also be dangerous if up hand position requests more speed,and a thumb-down hand you ignore the sport'ssafety procedures. There are some simple position signals the driver to slowdown. When the speed iscom- safety measures designed to protect the skier from injury and harm fortable for the skier, he can signal with the thumb-and-forefinger in case of a fall. "OK"sign. The first safety procedure that must be observed is choosing When the skier wants to turn, he makes a curving motion with an adequate place toski. Granted,the size of the water skiing area his right or left arm, depending on the turn direction. The arm varies with the configuration of the waterway. There arestill some isextended in a horizontal position with the palm facing forward general guidel ines which should be followed. Every boat using toward the boat. When the skier wishestostop, hesignalsthe driver a waterway for skiing should operate in a 200-foot-wide and 2,000- with a "policeman-style" signal, with his arm extended in front foot to 3,000-foot-long channel. (This length increases if you're of him and his hand in a vertical position. Or he can signal to cut barefoot skiing.) the throttle by simply drawing his finger across his throat. Another Second,a safe boat is vital for the safety and enjoyment of the option for the skier is to drop the tow handle. sport. The boat should have a minimum of about 50 horsepower Once the skier is down in the water, the signal to let the driver on a runabout(for an outboard-powered boat of 14 to 16 feet.) know his position, aswell as if he isall right, is to clasp both hands Inboard and stern-driven boats usually have more than the mini- over the head, or raise a ski into the air. mum horsepower requirement. Additionally, the boat should be equipped with a wide-angle rear-view mirror, a necessity for the Basics skier's safety. However, a mirror is never a substitute for the le- When learning the basicsof water skiing, the noviceskier should gal requirement of a competent observer. initially seek professional instruction. This also applies to more The following list is not necessarily essential requirements for advanced skiers when attempting more difficult maneuvers like your boat, but nevertheless,accessories that add to the skier'seace barefoot skiing, slalom, jumps and tricks. Here are some tips, and enjoyment to the sport. offered by Pennsylvanians be Delesus, former competitor and • Towing pylon. It prevents the line from becoming entangled American Water Ski Association(AWSA) official; Bill Baker,former in the propeller and outboard lower unit bysecuring the line above competitor and AWSA official; and Bob Hughes, member of the the motor. U.S. Junior Team.

24 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania Leta fresh review ofthe basics of safety and technique help you increase your water-skiingfun.

Joe Delesus,of Reading,explains that when a beginning skier attemptsto stand up over the water,the position issimilar tositting in a chair. Bob Hughes,of Media,says that the armsshould be bent slightly and you should focusyour eyes on the horizon. Bill Baker, of Norristown,suggests that beginning skiers start in the water in a "cannonball" position. Hold the tow handle in a baq-ball bat grip, with one hand up and the other hand down. Baker says that it is easier for beginning skiers to keep their arms straight while skiing. But after the skier learns balance,the skier should bend the arms and slightly bend the knees. The body position should be still while skiing. The elbows and knees act as shock absorbers, and they help the skier maintain balance. Crossing the wake As the novice skier improves, he may want to attempt to cross the wake. The basic technique is to lean on one ski, relax the knees across the wake,and then stop putting pressure on the one ski after you have crossed the wake. Jumping the wake To be able to jump the wake, you first must be able to cut back and forth in control behind the boat. Ski outside of the wake about 10 feet. Turn and point your skis directly toward the wake. Cut directly toward the wake,skiing to the top. Remember to keep your skis clace together when you jump. Use your knees asshock absorbers on the landing and pull in on the line to compensate for the increased pull as the skis hit the water. Dropping one ski Before learning to ski on one ski, you must first discover which ski you feel more comfortable on. Then pick up one ski, and lift up the toes higher than the heel, loosen the binding on the heel piece and step out of the binding. Your weight should be on the other ski. Next, drop the ski and use your toes for balance by dragging them in the water. Gradually move your foot into the back piece with your weight on the front foot. Start on one sld This starting position is similar to that of the start on two skis with the exception that your free leg trails behind you. You use it as an outrigger to help retain your balance. When you first learn to drop oneski, use a ski with a wide tail, if one is available. Aslalom ski with a severely tapered tail is much more difficult to get upon. As the boat accelerates, keep your head and chest against the knee of your skiing leg. Keep the handle low and pulled toward you asyou exit the water,and hold the handle on the side of your free leg. Stand upslowly,and gradually place your foot in the rear binder. If you're a beginner, heed these ideas. If you're more experienced,review these ideas before next season. Either way,remember the basics of safety and technique— then go have a terrific time! 0

Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania 25 26 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania by Cliff Jacobson April sunrise on a free-flowing Pennsylvania stream. Two numbed your paddl ingskills and judgment. Best take things 17-foot canoes beckon,resting at the water'sedge,awaiting slowly at first and follow this plan: their first float of the season. A ray of penetrating warmth 1. Your first spring trip should be on a river that'swell below streams weakly through the chilling fog that hangs deep in the paddling ability of you and your friends. the river valley. You squint at the small thermometer on the 2. Be conservative. Don't practice sophisticated whitewater zipper pull of your jacket. "Thirty-nine degrees," you call maneuvers unless you're dressed to capsize(which means a proudly. "Only fools and thems that knows what they're wetor dry suit),and have a support team with ropes,carabiners about will be here today. Got this river to ourselves: let's and other essential safety equipment. hit it, gang!" 3. Shorten your time on the river. Darkness comesearly In hushed tones,gear and bodiesare eased into the canoes this time of year and cruel, unpredictable weather is part of and the trip begins. It's an the game. Winterstorms may easy river with no real rapids. have blown down trees Obstacles are easily avoided (sweepers!), which you may with simple prys and sweeps. have to line or portage There is no need for sophis- around. Some protected ticated whitewater maneu- stretches of river may have vers. You and your friends skim ice that will slow your have capably paddled much course. Floodwater debris more difficult water. maychoke the outside bends Nonetheless, you don't and necessitate an overland feel comfortable in your ca- carry. Thespring ice melt may noe today. In mid-summer, have carved new channels you would have artfully pir- and obliterated familiar ones. ouetted around the last rock, You are paddling a re-borne smile on your face and gun- river whose obstacles and wale awash. But today—on flow patterns may differ from this first trip of the season— the year before. you are hesitant to show off. Take a narrow,fast -flowing Your balance is questionable, stream with an erodible your strokes imprecise. You gravel bottom, add an en- are not sure you can recover tanglement ofold, overhang- from a mistake in judgment. A hint ofsnow lingers along ing trees, winter sleet storms and flood-stage runoff, and you the shore,and skim ice clings to the tree-shadowed eddies. have all the makings for an "adventure" on your hometown The water temperature is 36degrees toocold to fool around river. and capsize. 4. Strainers(downed trees that block the river) are dan- Suddenly, you realize there is merit in conservatism. It's gerous—and common—obstacles in small waterways. In been five monthssince you've paddled a canoe;your "wings" previous articles, I've extolled the virtues of the backferry— are stiff and unpracticed—no wonder you are flying so the premier maneuver for avoiding these barriers. If you wobbly. Hopefully,a few hoursof practice will reinforce old paddle quick-flowing rivers at any time of year, you should ways. know the technique. Failing that, put ashore and Kout every It'scustomary to begin an article on spring paddling with bend and downed tree you can't see around. a treatment of essential paddling gear—you know, PFDs, Religiously follow rules 1, 2 and 3 and you won't have to polypropylene and such—things you need to combat an rely on rescue techniquesand all the warm clothes we're about upsetting experience. We'll cover these things and more, to discuss. but first you need to know that the most important rule of spring paddling is: Don't tip over! Clothes Five months of shoveling snow and watching TV have Your paddling armor begins with a suit of long underwear.

Winter I.99 27 -7-

In his 1917 book,Camping &Woodcraft,outdoorsman Horace ter pile pullover, topped by a light nylon windshell and tu- Kephart recommends wearing two layers of pure wool long bular or panel-style PFD,keepsyour torso warm down to freez- underwear next to the skin. A heavy wool mackinaw shirt. ing. Trousers should be wool or quick-drying cotton poly- topped by an oiled cotton jacket for wind and rain, keeps ester. If the weather turns sour, you'll want a wool or pile you warm in the coldest weather,says Kephart. stocking cap and quick-drying polypropylene or acrylic gloves Seventy-five years after Kephart,the advice to wear long (those with rubber dots on the face provide a good grip on underwear isstill sound. Pure wool still ranks highly but there the paddle). Wool mittens and gloves are good only if they are lighter and lessscratchy alternatives. For canoeing,one have non-slip leather palms. Some paddlers prefer neoprene set of longies is enough. However,you'll need a second pair fishing or water ski gloves. to change in to if thingsget out of hand and you do tip over! A two-piece rainsuit with hood, and a wool or acrylic You can choose polypropylene, polyester, wool or cotton sweater plus neck warmer or scarf,completes your paddling blends. Every paddler hasfavorites, and can provide good attire. Aset ofspare clothes from nose to toes is the rule for reasons why. Ofthem all,only cotton—which when wet, wicks every canoe trip in any weather. moisture and body heat away from the skin—is unsuitable I can't stress enough the importance of a fully waterproof for spring paddling. I've al- hat. The traditional souwester ternately used wool and syn- reigns supreme. There are thetics, alone and in combi- times when fold-down ear nation—and though my pref- flaps are a blessing. When the erence runs to soft merino weather deteriorates to icy wool or quick-drying dacron. sleeze, I wear my stocking cap I feel safe with any of them. under my souwester. My wife Susie says to re- A polyester or acrylic mind you that "girls don't balaclava is also useful. The wear polypro" because the balaclava can be worn in stuff absorbs body odorsand proper fashion to protect your holds them tenaciously. To neck and ears from biting that, I'll add that for a day trip wind,or scrunched down scarf- or an ovemighter, it's a prob- like around your neck to stop lem you can live with. drafts. The thin balaclava fits Polypro suits are very inex- nicely beneath a souwester or pensive: Every discountstore baseball cap. Packed, it takes has them. almost nospace at all. On cold Note: You can pay high nights I wear it inside mysleep- prices for brand name long ing bag. johnsat ski shopsand camping stores,or. getsimilar, no -name copiesat discountstores. Except for the cherished label, there Things to avoid is little, if any, difference in performance. Ditto for expen- Stay away from long, bulky coats that hinder paddling and sive pile pullovers and hats. are too warm. Several lightweight garments layered over one Right now, polyester is probably the most popular fabric another are warmer and more versatile. A porous nylon wind for long johns. The material issoft and luxurious, very warm, shell is better than an expensive, double-layered storm parka. and it retains minimal odorsand dries quickly. However,like Your wind shell should roll to fist size so you can shove it under all synthetics, you can't machine wash it in warm water or a pack flap or into a thwart bag when you don't need it. You'll use heat when drying. Heavy tumbling may cause some find suitable shell garments for under $20 at every discount garments to pill. store. Leave airy ponchosand ankle-length rain shirts(cagoules) Outerwear at home. Ponchos dribble through in rain and may wrap If you're allergic to wool but are put off by the high price around your legs in a capsize. Cagoules are great for of pile, polypropylene and dacron, try a wardrobe of 100 powerboating but they're dangerous in a canoe for the same percent acrylic fibers. Acrylicsdon't quite match the thermal reason. efficiency of polyester, polypropylene or wool, but they come Avoid rain garments that have zippers under the armpits. very close,even when soaked with green river water. You'll Even the most thoughtfully designed jackets leak here in find acrylic hats,sweaters and gloves at every discount store prolonged rain. My expensive mountain parka has double- and garage sale. They are ideal for growing children and baffled "pit zips" that fail the paddling test. "An hour under budget-minded adults. Verlen Kruger and Clint Waddell a shower" or a hike down a wilderness trail is not the same relied on home-sewn acrylic clothing on their epic 7.000- as canoeing all day in a thunderstorm. mile. Montreal-to-Alaska trip in 1971. Alwayssize garments as large as you can tolerate. Except A medium-weight wool(my preference)shirt or polyes- for underwear, which should fit relatively close, outerwear

28 Winter 1993 Boat Pennsylvania is best sized as large as you can comfortably tolerate. Rain pre-cut knee pacts atcanoe shops,or simply make your own gear should be larger still and have a drawstring(no suspend- by gluing in squares of closed-cell foam cut from a sleep- ers)at the waist. ing mat. Waterproofcontact cement is an excellent adhesive Consider thisKenario: You're canoeing along and a light for securing foam to slippery canoe bottoms. rain begins. Your life vest comes off, your rain jacket goes • A 10-foot square nylon tarp, with sufficient cord on,followed by your PFD. Minutes later, the rain intensi- to rig it, providesprotection from wind and rain during lunch fies,so you put on your rain pants. But first, you must re- and rest stops. Just string a tight line between two trees and move your upper garments to secure the suspenders. When tie your tarp to this line. Stake out the back and punch out the rain quits the procedure corn i- the center with a canoe paddle cally reverses. and you're set for lunch. Instead, try this: As the rain Rules for • A six-footsquare of plastic begins,slip your extra-large rain sheeting makes a great table- parka over your PFD. Later, put Safe, cloth and lounging area for river on your hemmed-waist rain pants. Spring stops. There are no over-garments to • A vacuum bottle filled remove, so it's easy to reverse Paddling with hot soup or beverage is operationswhen the storm lets up. • Pick a familiar route. A cold,spring river welcome on every canoe trip. is no place to experiment. • Something waterproof in Footwear • Shorten your trip to reflect reduced day- which to store all this stuff. A Spring paddling footwear isso light and unforeseen dangers. packsack lined with two plastic controversial that it deserves a • Your paddling skills have atrophied over bags works fine, as does a plas- feature story. My article "Footwear the winter,so plan accordingly. tic ice chest with a tight-fitting for Paddlers," in the Winter 1991 • Spare clothes are essential, even on a lid. Double-bag in plastic every- Boat Pennsylvania, details the op- placid stream whose every turn you know by thing you absolutely, positively tions. heart. must keep dry. Whitewater enthusiasts wear • Use a checklist so you won't forget any- zippered neoprene booties or thing. Don't rely on friends to supply extra When kids are along neoprene socks inside decrepit paddles,first -aid equipment or waterproof An air mattress or thick boat running shoes. Country folk slip containers. cushion keeps tender bottoms on knee-high rubber bootsor five- • Outfit children asyou would adults. Wool away from the wet, muddy bot- buckle galoshes, or they wear or synthetic clothes and reliable raingear are tom of the canoe. Your little pas- light, flexible rubber boots over as important to their comfort and safety as senger will love an umbrella on their sneakers or street shoes. they are to yours. a rainy day. Don't forget that kids Some boots are stylish enough to • Wear your lifejacket at all times. Besides need the same protection as wear to the office and tough its obvious life-saving function, a good PFD adults, which meanslong under- enough for serious canoeing. insulates from wind and cold and protects wear,stocking cap, waterproof You'll find them in fashion stores you against hypothermia if you capsize. hat and warm mittens. Poly bags and industrial supply centers. • Provide each child with a foam-filled placed between socks and shoes These next items add to your properly sized life vest that is warm and com- are a marginally reliable short- comfort on the river and at rest fortable. Avoid traditional "horse collar term substitute for the recom- stops. As the ladies and gentle- vests," which chafe the neck and arms. If you mended knee-high rubber men of American Express say, can't afford a PFD that's matched to your boots. Be sure to provide a "plas- "Don't leave home without child's size and weight, you can't afford to tic rain coat"(poly bag)for your them!" bring the kid. Children have drowned be- child's favorite stuffed animal. • Insulated pad for your cause their "adult-sized" life jackets held them To prepare for early season canoe seat. Buy a commercial underwater upside down.—Cl. paddling, choose a river that model or make your own by cov- does not exceed the skill level of ering a piece ofcicsed-cell foam with nylon or canvas. Equip the weakest member of your crew. Be aware that downed your pad with straps or tiesso that you can secure it to your trees, ice or high winds may turn your float trip into a real canoe. Friends who poke fun at your hot seat will beg to use "adventure." Your paddling wingsare still stiff from the winter it at reststops along the river. Might as well makesome extras blahs,so don't hotdog around or engage in other juvenile while the sewing machine is hot. behavior that putsyou at risk. Bring wool or synthetic clothes • Insulated knee pads for your canoe. Kneel momen- that "layer" and pack well, and waterproof everything you tarily in the bottom of your aluminum or fiberglass canoe must keep dry. And by all means, bring along a flashlight, when water temperatures are below 50 degrees and you'll map and compass if you crash along the river and have to instantly realize the importance of knee pacts. You can buy "walk out."

t Pennsylvania 29 1111111111S ICEMCV

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Fire aboard a boat can be a terrifying experience. According extinguished by cooling(dropping the temperature below to the U.S. Coast Guard,each year boat fires and explosions that which supports combustion),smothering (shutting off injure hundreds of Americans and cause millions of dollars the air supply) or by blocking the chain reaction. in property damge. Fuel and fuel vapor are two of the leading ingredients in boat fires and explosions. What to look for Most boat fires and explosions can be prevented. The first Inspect your fuel tanks often. Check the bottom of the tank line of defense is prevention. Regular inspection of your fuel for rust or damage from rubbing and abrasion. If the tank system is critical. According to a BOAT U.S. Marine Insurance is metal, make sure it is securely fastened so it doesn't move publication,"the most likely point of failure in a boat's fuel around. It should be insulated from wood supports or other system is the fuel tank, followed by the fuel fill system,fuel surfaces that would hold moisture and cause corrosion. If filters, fuel lines and the fuel pump." The longer gasoline carpet touches the tank,the carpet should be replaced with remains undetected, the more violent an explosion it could a non-porous material. cause. If the tank is plastic, it must be securely fastened in place Explosions are most likely to occur soon after refueling. and protected from rough surfaces. Rough fiberglass,screw This is why the most reliable gasoline fume detector is the heads and any sharp points can damage or puncture a plastic human nose. It's important to sniff the bilges and make sure tank. the boat is aired out. Precautions don't guarantee that a fire When refueling, fill portable fuel tanks on the dock. Vapors will never start, but they do greatly reduce the possibility. are displaced from the tank and spills are possible. Make In all cases,the importance of having fire extinguishers readily sure the vents are closed and that the tank has a vapor-tight, accessible cannot be overemphasized. This is why the marine leak-proof cap. The vent on a portable tank should be left fire extinguisher should never be mounted next to the fuel open when the motor is running. When the tank is not in use, source or engine. close the vent tightly. A fire needs fuel, heat and oxygen to burn. Remove any one of these elements and the fire will go out. Fires are usually IN CASE OF FIRE _

Stop your boat and don your PFD. Turn off the engine, blower and main electrical switch, if possible. Use the extinguisher immediately. Remember that the time of discharge is brief. Use the PASS. technique four to six feet from the flames.

Pull pin A Aim at base of fire Squeeze handle

Sweep side to side using short bursts,1/2 to 1 second each; check the flames after each sweep, and watch for flareups.

722- 1010111101111111iiiiiii, When refueling,close all openings(hatches, windows,etc.). Shut off the motor and never smoke. Make sure the dock attendant puts gasoline in your fuel tank and not in a rod holder Marine Fire Extinguishers or water tank. The deck fill cap should be marked "gasoline." The fuel fills must drain overboard in case of an accidental Marine Fire Extinguishers overflow. Gasoline spilled in the boat spreads to the low- is the title of a full-color pam- est place and produces vapors that can cause an explosion phlet that describes the differ- Stop filling your tank when it is five to 10 percent less than ent kinds of fire extinguishers full. This prevents gasoline from standing in the vent hoses. available, legal requirements This also stops gasoline from expanding and flowing over- for your boat, information on board, polluting the water. how to use them and what to The tank vent should terminate outside the hull away from do if a fire breaks out. For a port holes that fumes so aren't pulled back into the boat. The free copy, contact: Boating vent should be covered with a screen to prevent fumes in th Publications, PA Fish & Boat line from igniting. This screen also prevents insects fro Commission, P.O. Box 67000, building nests in the line, blocking the fuel flow. Harrisburg, After refueling, wipe up any spilled fuel, open hatches and PA 17106-7000. let the boat air out. "Sniff" your bilges. Operate the bil With requests please include blower a business-sized self-ad- for at least four minutes before starting your engine. Pennsylvania If your boat has powered ventilation, make sure the blowe Fish Commission dressed,stamped envelope. operates. Be extra cautious. Remember that most fires occu Bureau 0/ Boating soon after refueling. Check fuel fittings and hoses. They wear out overtime. Heat can accelerate deterioration. Danger signs to look for on lines are dry, cracked or swollen ends, soft, mushy lines or cor- roded fittings. If they look worn out or if you smell gasoline, replace them immediately. Your boat's fuel filter should be securely mounted. The bowl should be metal or a heat-resistant glass to avoid shattering and heat. Make sure the connections are always dry. The fuel filter is a common place for leaks to develop. Make sure yours is in good condition. These suggestions are for you to take corrective action when inspecting your gasoline-powered boat's fuel system. If you have any questions, talk to your local boat mechanic.

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If you cook or heat aboard, make sure the appliances Electrical `I • are secured and operate properly. Check your owners Electrical systems can also cause boat fires. Inspect manual for inspecting for leaks. Make sure that flammable for bare wires or loose electrical connections. They could items are stowed safely away from your cooking or heating cause a short in your boat's electrical system, which could appliances. Do not store charcoal cause a fire. lighting fluid or propane cylinders on board. - .

WHITEWATER CANOEING TRICKS 4 PA'S EASIEST WHITEWATER 7 EASY YOUGH PADDLING 18 WATERSKIING BASICS 23 WARM & DRY IN YOUR CANOE 26 FIRE ABOARD' 30