Statewide basics for every lake
Life jackets
Carry one wearable life jacket per person aboard. 58 Pa. Code §97.1(b).
Boats 16 feet or longer also need one throwable device (canoes and kayaks excepted). 58 Pa. Code §97.1(c).
Children 12 and under must wear a life jacket while underway on any boat 20 feet or less and on all canoes, kayaks and paddleboards. 58 Pa. Code §97.1(h).
From November 1 to April 30, everyone on a boat under 16 feet, or on any canoe, kayak or paddleboard, must wear a life jacket while underway or at anchor. 58 Pa. Code §97.1(i).
Read the exact wording
(i) Beginning November 1 until midnight April 30 of the following year, a person shall wear a Coast Guard approved wearable PFD while underway or at anchor on boats less than 16 feet in length or any canoe, kayak or paddleboard.
Speed
Slow, no-wake within 100 feet of shore, docks, launch ramps, swimmers, downed skiers, people wading, anchored, moored or drifting boats, floats, and other marked areas. 58 Pa. Code §103.3(a).
Read the exact wording
(a) Boats are limited to slow, no wake speed when within 100 feet of the shore line; docks; launching ramps; swimmers or downed skiers or other boat-towed watersports participants; persons wading in the water; anchored, moored, or drifting boats; floats, except for ski jumps and ski landing floats; or other areas so marked.
No faster than is reasonable and prudent for the conditions. 58 Pa. Code §103.16(a).
Personal watercraft
A PWC is a boat under 16 feet driven by an internal-combustion engine powering a water-jet pump, ridden on rather than in. 58 Pa. Code §109.3(a).
No PWC operation between sunset and sunrise. 58 Pa. Code §109.3(d).
Everyone on a PWC must wear a Coast Guard approved wearable life jacket; inflatable ones do not count. 58 Pa. Code §109.3(b).
If the PWC has an engine cut-off lanyard, the operator must attach it. 58 Pa. Code §109.3(c).
PWC operators need a Boating Safety Education Certificate. 58 Pa. Code §109.3(f).
Towing
No waterskiing or other towed watersports between sunset and sunrise. 58 Pa. Code §109.4(b).
A competent observer must be aboard, in addition to the operator, when towing. 58 Pa. Code §109.4(c)(1).
Operator age
Age 11 and under: may not operate a PWC or a boat with a motor over 25 hp. 58 Pa. Code §91.4(a).
Ages 12–15: may not operate a PWC with any passenger aged 15 or younger aboard. 58 Pa. Code §91.4(b).
Holidays and weekends in Chapter 111
In Chapter 111, holidays are federally recognized holidays, weekdays are Monday–Friday and weekends are Saturday and Sunday. 58 Pa. Code §111.72.
Kayaks, canoes and paddleboards follow the same life-jacket rules; this atlas covers motor and boating rules, not where to paddle.