FWP says NO to the shovel !!!

After my little" throw down" with the sand bar I got to thinking... Why do we need to carry a paddle in our boats? There absolutely good for nothing except you could burn it if you needed to cook some crow when your stuck out on that island.I could not find any were in the MT or the Federal regulations that "SAID" we had to have a paddle. What I found is it is recommended to have a paddle. OK I headed out to the FWP to find out. I want to replace my wooden peace of $hit paddle with a long handled spade shovel. I have a spot that the shovel would fit nicely but the paddle is there. The FWP did SAY I must carry a paddle and a shovel of any kind would NOT take it's place. HUMMM Thats dumb. You could use a shovel very nicely as a paddle and USEit as something other then a requirement filler.They did say If I found a manufacture that made a shovel and "MARKED" as a paddle it would then qualify as a paddle, HUMMM I wonder if a hand crafted ceder "Paddle" with a fiberglass handle and a Steel blade would qualify as a shovel ??? Is there a US coastguard listing on a paddle?? If not I'm going to get a decorative one 5" long hang it in the boat and fill my SPOT with a SHOVEL!!

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The driver has to be the captain!

Well, some thoughts.

The paddle requirement is stupid on a boat that you could only paddle in a circle.  I've bitched before to CG. 

I was told the point was to have a paddle to control drift (sort of steer) if you lost power.

If I were you I'd get a decent shovel (as shown) and merely paint a label "Paddle-Shov" on it with a place of manufacture like "Wheeling, WV".   Any water Leo will either think it is legit, or roll with laughter and shake your hand.

BEAR

 thanks for the support on this I think I'll get an idy Biddy paddle and stash it some place and put TWO shovels in the boat

You could consider modifying a high capacity sump pump.  With som PCV pipe they make great hydraulic diggers.  I assume you have two heavy duty batteries.

I suggested it as they work good and are light.  I have one with a piece of screen around it and I put it out of the mud in deeper water.  Makes a mess but digs in wet ground fast.

I have used the anchor thing many times and have a 14# Danforth for heavy pulling.  never need it myself but pulled a heavy Grady White of a rock bar, with the big Danforth and used the bow eye as a "pulley".

BEAr