Pennsylvania
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Fall 1989 Pennsylvania The Keystone State's Official Boating Mac: VIEWPOINT Pulling Together During the 25 years since the original boat law was written, boating and its management has faced dramatic changes. The major thrust of the regulatory program used to be the modification and fine-tuning of the basic regulations about equipment requirements and boat operation. These were straightforward requirements carried out through thoughtful interpretation of known information. The regulatory process is plotting a different course today. Regulation proposals are now directed at resolving boater-boater and boater-landowner conflicts. Boats are either too big, too fast, too many or too different. Boaters are either too young, too old, too conservative or too wild. Some are even too intoxicated. Requests are being received almost daily for regulations to restrict the operation of boats. The most frequent restrictions proposed are the banning of personal watercraft, speed limits, boat operator licensing and the institution of boat launching permits to limit the number of boats. Some people have requested the closing of public launch sites to restrict access to property owners only. Some of these proposals are reasonable and implementable. Many, however, are blatantly discriminatory The waters of the Commonwealth are public waters and all citizens have the right to use these waters if they do so in a safe and legal manner. Elimination of a certain class of boaters simply because they do not fit a certain use pattern is not the best way to manage boating. Just because a boat is bigger, faster or more maneuverable is no reason to ban the use of that boat. Some states have placed severe restrictions on the operation of personal watercraft. Several states have enacted speed limits. A growing number of states require mandatory education. Time of day restrictions and zoning are becoming more prevalent. It is not known whether any of these regulations will have a lasting impact on boating safety. One thing is certain: Boating is not the unrestricted sport that it once was. As more and more boats enter the waters of the nation, there will be increasing calls for restrictions on boat size and horsepower, for boat operator licensing, for restrictions on the numbers of boats that can be launched and for speed limits and slow, no-wake zones. To combat further restrictions, boaters must become knowledgeable in their sport. lake safe boating courses. Organize and become self-regulating. Promote boating safety among fellow boaters. Be considerate of property owners—they have a bigger investment to protect than you do. Most of all, obey the laws we already have. There isn't enough money to have a field officer on the water all the time. If the laws were observed all the time and not just when waterways conservation officers were present, the demand for additional restrictions would not be as great. Boating is supposed to be fun. We shouldn't have to wonder all the time whether we are breaking a special regulation. Nor should we have to travel great distances to find a place that permits our chosen type of boating. We can coexist with one another. Let's pull together for better boating in Pennsylvania. John Simmons Director Bureau of Boating Pennsylvania Fish Commission BOAT Fall 1989 Vol. 6 No. 4 Pennsylvania" 60. PennsylvaniaFish Commission David Coe Me, Race a Sailboat? by Richard Casavecchia President Do you think sailboat racing looks like fun? You bet it is! Getting State College in to racing is easy, too 4 William J. Sabatose Vice President Autumn Adventure by Cliff Jacobson Brockport Sunrise on a crisp fall morning and the magic of a Pennsylvania Marilyn A. Black river awaits 7 Cochranton Leonard A. Green Essentials for Safe, Efficient Trailering by Art Michaels Carlisle Mastering a few basics can help you protect your investment and Ross J. Huhn increase your efficiency and safety /0 Saftsbutg Calvin J. Kern The Millersburg Ferry by John Sultzbaugh Whitehall It fills a traceable link with Pennsylvania's past, yet it still meets T. T. Metzger, Jr. a basic transportation need 14 Johnstown Joan R. Plumly Boat Pennsylvania Subject Index, Volumes 5 and 6 Jenkintown (Winter 1988 Through Fall 1989) 20 Leon Reed Honesdale KIDS PAGE! by Cheryl Kimerline J. Wayne Yorks Chilly-weather boaters and bundling up right! 22 Benton Reader Survey 23 Boating Advisory Board Boat Pennsylvania Thaddeus Piotrowski = Enjoyable Canoeing Chairman Proper Training Bloomsburg by Bill and Bert Schill paddling is built. Take Clayton Buchanan Training is the foundation on which enjoyable 25 Pittsburgh a closer look and then paddle right in Donald J. Little Philadelphia Tidal Water Boating on the Delaware River Judy Obert by D. Andre Green Grrentown Easy does it is the way to go in this laid-back kind of boating 29 Gerald Sedney Erie Magazine Staff The covers Editor—Art Michaels This issue's front cover shows 16-year-old kayaker Colby Mackley negotiating Art Director—Ted Walke the York County portion of Muddy Creek. Ray Moose, Jr. took the Circulation—Eleanor Mutch photograph. If you're thinking of learning to paddle, or if you'd like to Staff Assistant—Rose Ann Bartal improve your skills, check out the story beginning on page 25. Then you'll Staff Assistant—Charlene Glisan want to dive in to the canoeing adventure that begins on page 7. If you're a sailor filled with the competitive spirit, be the first to feast your eyes on page Boot Ponneyloordo(ISSNOM9-1561)is published quarterly by the Pennsylvania the Fish Commission Fish Commieillon,3= Walnut SOW, Harrieburg, PA 17109. OMIT Nothing in 4. Do you trailer a boat? Don't miss page 10! Finally, Mis maguira may be reprinted warm* the cram permitalca of the Penranys. out and send in the Me Feb Commission. Subscription resew one yew, $6:*NW copies we $1.50 would like to know what you think, and if you fill each. Second clue postage is paid at HarrisIxag. PA. POSTMASTER: Send Commission know your ideas. address 0061915 00 Boot PA Circulation. Pennsylvania Fah Commission. PO. reader survey on page 23, you could let the Bor 1673. Harrisburg. PA 171061673. For subecrlation and chimps 04 addrees. zipping along on 1010 911005 address. Ammo Mao Woo months lot peocoosing now suboalplions, This issue's back cover shows water skier Jason Kartaz womb anl 00.61966 04 actonnoos. Send el other 01011Spondiones lc. The Wax Soot Pennsylvania.PO. ear 1673. Harrisburg. PA 171064673. Edilorild Youghiogheny Lake. Russ Gettig took the picture. queries and COMIliOrIS welcomed. bre must be accornPanied Of sea- addressed. Manned envelopes. Linariel accepled tor publication is subied In Pennsylvania Fish Commission standards and 019.010016101 69 editing and m- ining. Submissions am handled with care. but the punisher aaeranes no .1.• spoonbill), tor the return or eatery ol submissions in hie possession or 06.51611. The authors views. Ideas and advice espreesed 9. 106 magazine do not name or* masa the ogled.or officio position 04 the Pennenvene Fish Coalmenon or es muff. design is that you can directly compare your boat to the one next to you. Alterna- Race a Sailboat- tively, if you have a boat that is not as popular, you can sail handicap, which means that a fudge factor is applied to by Richard Casavecchia your elapsed time to account for different speeds of various boat designs. Rules Sailboat racing is a Do you think sailboat racing looks like The next step is to obtain a copy of the challenge, fun? Are you interested in trying it but 1989-92 International Yacht Racing Rules. mostly hesitant because you're not sure how to You can buy this book from the United against yourself, get started or worried you'll damage your States Yacht Racing Union (USYRU) for sometimes against boat? Well, continue reading then because about $10 by calling 800-877-2451 or from by giving you some of the basics, maybe I many of your local boating supply stores. nature, and against can help you get past a few obstacles and I advise you to be familiar with at least a other racers. One discover the thrilling sport I have come few of the basic rules before you attempt to love. to race. season of racing Sailboat racing is a challenge, mostly Some of the rules are identical to the improves your skills against yourself, sometimes against nature, ordinary rules of the road, such as the and of course against other racers. If you starboard/port and windward/leeward more than 10 seasons Om it a try, you will find that one season rules. Others may require some familiar- of cruising around by of racing improves your skills more than ization before you race, such as limitations 10 seasons of cruising around by yourself. on luffing above a proper course and rules yourself. Through comparison with boats of the that apply at marks and obstructions. It same type, it becomes obvious what you isn't necessary to memorize the rules to are doing wrong or right as you pull ahead get started, but I do urge you to study the or drop back. One warning, however— rules and eventually learn them inside-out make sure your loved ones are prepared before you get too aggressive. There will ahead of time because racing can be ad- be occasions when you won't have time to dicting! think about rules. Knowledge of the rules Before you get started, I want to em- along with good judgment is the best de- phasize that yacht racing is a noble sport fense against damaging your boat. and there is little room for unsport- The final thing you will need is a copy manslike conduct.