With a rate of 23.2 boats per 1,000 inhabitants and a total of almost 300,000 vessels in the state, Pennsylvania is a major boating destination in the North-Eastern United States. The Keystone State combines river-cruising and recreational boating on lakes and reservoirs with access out into the ocean and a 77-mile stretch of prime Lake Erie waterfront for an unbeatable combination of laid-back cruising and ambitious offshore fishing.
If you are looking to explore the vast open waters of Lake Erie then your best bet for marinas lies in and around Presque Isle Bay. This natural inlet surrounding Downtown Erie itself hosts seven separate marinas and harbors, including the 473-slip Presque Isle Marina or, right on the Erie shore, the 253-slip Lampe Marina. Set off from here to enjoy angling for walleye, yellow perch and lake trout on 12th biggest freshwater lake on the planet.
The largest lake entirely within the state is Raystown Lake, an 8,300-acre reservoir with 118 miles of shoreline located right in the heart of backwoods Appalachia. This lake was formed in 1973 and is popular with campers, boaters and those looking to get away from it all. One of the more popular lake destinations in Pennsylvania is Lake Nockamixon, located not far from Philadelphia, where 1,420 acres of fish-rich feeding grounds await. Set out on your small-motor boat, there’s a restriction on vessels utilising engines over 20HP, and cast your line to catch abundant muskellunge, pickerel and carp.
Though not blessed with direct Atlantic seafront, yachters here can still set a course for the ocean by utilizing one of the many marinas located on the banks of the Delaware River. Tullytown Marina near Levittown features 275 slips while closer to the Delaware border you will find Golden Point Marina, a facility located in Essington. Combine your boating adventure with a visit to vibrant Philadelphia by dropping in at Pier 3 Marina located just steps away from bustling Downtown, or Penn’s Landing Marina, a destination that combines slips with attractions like the Independence Seaport Museum.
The Coal State also boasts a rich sailing and yachting heritage, with some of America’s most storied yacht clubs based here. Check out the Oakmont Yacht Club, founded in 1903 and the nation’s oldest inland yacht club, for a charming location right on the winding Allegheny River. Alternatively, try out the Corinthian Yacht Club of Philadelphia, a salubrious and upper-crust institution that hosts regattas like the Philadelphia Cup and the Drexel Open.
Recreational boating is worth approximately $4.5 billion dollars in revenue for Pennsylvania, supporting more than 16,300 jobs across over 550 businesses. Boat-building firms based here include River Raptor Jet Boats, makers of high-speed aluminum watercraft and rigid inflatables, and Rockproof Boats, whose robust and high-performance vessels are designed for high-octane fishing in the shallows.
Since 1964, SI Yachts has been helping our clients through the processes of buying and selling boats, many times it's their 10th or more boat sale with us. We take service very seriously and we are able to retain some of the best service talent in the industry giving us an incredible advantage when it comes making sure our customers enjoy their boating lifestyle. When you buy a yacht from us, our industry-leading mobile service team is just a phone call away. With a service facility located in Staten Island and mobile service throughout the Northeast and South Florida, SI Yachts has a true north-to-south connection for our seasonal cruising clients.
