Fishing on rowboats and outboards is the boat fishing combination you probably will use the most. It's the most economical when you're the skipper and you can go where fancy dictates, you can run up on a sandy beach for a swim and lunch or just to stretch your legs. You cannot do these things in any other boat you can hire for a day. Not at these prices.

A rowboat without the outboard costs from two to five dollars a day, depending on where you are, size of the boat, weekday or weekend.

But for family fishing, be wise and consider the outboard a must. Venture out with only oars to propel you when you're alone or only Andy is with you, and then only when the water is placid. The kicker should rent for from five to ten dollars a day. It ought to be seven to ten horsepower. Don't settle for any that's less than five.

Never leave the livery without first taking the necessary safety precautions. Here are the musts of rowboat-outboard fishing.
1.Rowboats are usually from twelve to sixteen feet long. When Mother, Andy and Peg are with you hire no less than a fourteen - or sixteen - footer, preferably the latter.

2.Make sure the livery gives you a spare can of gas and make sure the motor tank is full.

3.The Coast Guard says

Fish & Boat Commission, Coldwater Heritage Partnership Supporting Grassroots Work to Conserve PA?s Valuable Coldwater Streams, Trout Fisheries
A cooperative partnership that includes the Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) is helping local organizations protect and conserve Pennsylvania?s coldwater stream habitats ? waterways that are critical to the health of the state?s wild trout fisheries.
Public review of draft Susquehanna River Anadromous Fish Restoration Cooperative (SRAFRC) Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin
The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) today announced that the Draft Migratory Fish Management and Restoration Plan for the Susquehanna River Basin is now available for public review and comment.
PA Fish & Boat Commission Plans Open House at Linesville State Fish Hatchery
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will hold their annual Open House at the Linesville State Fish Hatchery on Saturday, April 3, 2010 from 11am ? 3:30 p.m.
Fish & Boat Commission Names John Arway Executive Director
A 30-year veteran of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) has been chosen as the agency?s next executive director. During a special public meeting today, the Board of Commissioners selected John Arway to lead the Commission, one of the oldest and most effective conservation agencies in the nation.
Pennsylvania Announces Fisheries Position Regarding N.Y. City Reservoir Releases to Delaware River
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today announced the release of a fisheries recommendation for management of water released to Delaware River tributaries from New York City water supply reservoirs.
Fish & Boat Urges Action on Susquehanna River Troubles
Calling the Susquehanna River ?increasingly impaired,? the board of commissioners of the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today called on state and federal environmental agencies to expand efforts to determine the sources of pollution which are contributing to the demise of the river?s smallmouth bass fishery.
Fish & Boat Commission Names Acting Executive Director
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) today named Brian Barner as the agency?s acting executive director, effective upon the retirement of Dr. Douglas Austen at the close of business today.
National Saltwater Angler Registry (attention shad, striped bass, and river herring anglers)
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the Pennsylvania Fish & Boat Commission (PFBC) are reminding anglers that a new federal law requires anglers who target or catch shad, striped bass, and river herring from the Delaware River below Trenton Falls or in the Delaware Estuary to register with the National Saltwater Angler Registry.
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission staff at Butler Fishing Show
Staff from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission will attend the Butler Fishing Show on February 13th and 14th 2010 at the Butler Senior High School.
Fish & Boat Winter Meeting Scheduled for January 27-28 in Harrisburg
The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will hold its winter quarterly meeting on Jan. 27-28 at its Harrisburg office.
Biologist Report - West Branch Susquehanna River and Susquehanna River Younf-of-Year Smallmouth Bass
Biologists conducted backpack electrofishing surveys July 13-17 and 23-24, 2009 targeting YOY smallmouth bass at ten historic sampling sites in the West Branch and twenty-six historic sampling sites in the Susquehanna River.
Biologist Report - Laurel Hill Creek & Big Sandy Creek Basins, Somerset and Fayette Counties, Search for Wild Trout
Fisheries Management personnel from the Area 8 office surveyed 15 unassessed waters in the Laurel Hill Creek and Big Sandy Creek basins in Somerset and Fayette Counties.
Commissioner Lenny Lichvar Sworn in as District 4 Representative
Lenny Lichvar of Boswell, Somerset County, has been sworn in as the District 4 commissioner for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, representing Bedford, Blair, Cambria, Fulton, Huntingdon, Juniata, Mifflin and Somerset counties.
Updated Fish Consumption Advisories Issued for 2010
State officials today released updated fish consumption advisories that include two new fish species and a water body that had not previously been on the list, but also eases or lifts advisories on fish from seven water bodies.
Eleven Complete Police Training Requirements at State Police Facility
Six waterways conservation officers from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) and five Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (DCNR) rangers have completed Municipal Police Officers Basic Training, Pennsylvania State Police Commissioner Frank E. Pawlowski announced today.
Biologist Report - Susquehanna River smallmouth bass
During September 21 ? 24, 2009, biologists conducted nighttime electrofishing surveys targeting adult smallmouth bass at four historic sampling sites located within the middle portion of the Susquehanna River from the Fabri Dam in Sunbury downstream to the York Haven Dam near Middletown to determine trends in abundance, size structure, age structure, and growth attributes, among other attributes.
Biologist Report - Wild Trout Streams, Cumberland and Perry Counties
A subset of unassessed streams were surveyed in the Sherman Creek and Yellow Breeches Creek basins in south central Pennsylvania to determine if wild trout were present.
Fish & Boat Commission to inspect Marcellus Shale drilling sites
Safe Harbor Water Power Corporation, a hydroelectric generating station on the lower Susquehanna River, announces plans to draw down the water level in Lake Clarke above the Safe Harbor Dam.

each person aboard must have a Coast Guard approved life jacket or buoyant cushion. The boat station must provide them. See that it does. Make the kids wear their jackets no matter how much they holler.

4.Take a long length of clothesline with you. Kids being kids, it might turn out to be a lifeline.

5.Don't move around in the boat. Don't stand up, either. Dad sits in the stern manning the tiller; Mother sits in the bow and handles the anchor. Andy and Peg share the center seat.

6.Don't go outside, meaning even two feet out to sea. Stay within the shelter of land.

7.Don't ever take a fifth person with you. In an emergency, you'll have your hands full taking care of four. A rowboat wasn't built for five and you're more apt to have an emergency.

8.Don't cast. Flying hooks are dangerous to people around you.

9.Take along a first aid kit.

10.Be sure to have a pair of oars. Something could go wrong with the motor.

11.If a sudden storm comes up get onto the nearest shore fast, whether it has shelter from rain or not. You may get wet but you'll be on land.

12.If you go ashore for a lark, allow for a changing tide when mooring or you may find your boat high and dry.

13.If you or anyone else falls overboard, cling to the boat. Don't budge from it, no matter how close by that shore seems to be. You may be a good swimmer but you can't stay afloat as well as a boat.

14.Learn the rules of safe navigation; they're available free at any Coast Guard station and lots of other places. And obey them. You may not own the boat but you're responsible for the safety of your family.

15.Always remember this when on the water: If you're careless there can be no tomorrow.