Fee for Kayaks

[Dick]

For all these years our Fish & Game Dept. services have been paid for primarily by hunters, anglers, and motorboats. In the case of motorboat registration, $5 is supposed to go into a dedicated fund to help pay for acquiring new public water access sites and mainatining the approx. 146 that F&G already owns/controls. BTW, about half of these sites are cartop only . . .so the motorboaters have been (and still are) paying for water access for canoes and kyaks. Non-mortorized craft often park and launch from boat ramp sites that were primarily designed for motorboats In addition, it is the motorboaters who also pay into the milfoil fund when they register each year. I own a canoe too and I pay nothing for the above.

Most of us believe in the fairness of "User Benefit . . . User Pay"

Here's an idea . . . implement the modest $10 annual decal. However, if you are a current holder of a fishing or hunting license or have a motorboat registration you are exempted because you have already paid.

[Orion]

Originally Posted by Dick

.........
Here's an idea . . . implement the modest $10 annual decal. However, if you are a current holder of a fishing or hunting license or have a motorboat registration you are exempted because you have already paid.

Now that's an approach I can agree with.

[tis]

WE have the same situation because we have more than one boat. Two of the boats gets used, the others not so much. I don't know why we keep them really. Just because we have them I guess.

[Rich]

Originally Posted by tis

WE have the same situation because we have more than one boat. Two of the boats gets used, the others not so much. I don't know why we keep them really. Just because we have them I guess.

I'm in the same boat. Anyone want to buy two kayaks? I have two that haven't been used much lately.

[Rob M]

When I show up at a boat launch at 6am to launch and can not park because the lot is full and 3/4 of the spots are taken by kayakers it is unfair and frustrating. I have paid money into the system which built and maintains the launch, the kayakers have not. How can we come up with a fair solution for everyone? As of right now boaters are paying the way for canoes/kayaks/cartops. All of which require F&G or Marine Patrol as much as boaters.

A kayaker calls Marine Patrol to complain about something, Marine Patrol must take their complaint even though they have not paid in the system and act on the complaint which costs money. This is being paid for by boat owners.

Someone in a canoe takes on water and is sinking, Marine Patrol is called and tows the canoe in, this costs money, yet the canoe owner has not paid in the system, how is this fair?

We all have a right to access the waters of the State and use them for whatever we like, but the ramps and services we all use need to be paid for, and it is time that we all share the burden.

As far as the sticker driving away tourists, Maine has seen no decline in tourism since instituting their decal program.

It has been mentioned on here that this would be a burden for resorts that have 30 kayaks, these resorts all are there to make a profit, if the kayak does not generate $10 per year in profit they can either get rid of it, or charge someone a $1 to use the kayak...problem solved.

Everyone loves a free ride, eventually someone has to foot the bill, and that time is now.

Sorry to be long winded and angry about the subject, but this subject hits a nerve.

[Island Girl]

We have 3 kayaks, rarely used. Guest like them. We do not use ramps or parking. I don't want to pay anymore than I already do for my power boats. Perhaps we can get kayak decals free with the registration of a boat, or a tax bill for island property.

I do understand the frustration and unfairness of some boaters not paying their fair share. I just pay enough already.

[Rusty]

Originally Posted by Rob M

When I show up at a boat launch at 6am to launch and can not park because the lot is full and 3/4 of the spots are taken by kayakers it is unfair and frustrating. I have paid money into the system which built and maintains the launch, the kayakers have not. How can we come up with a fair solution for everyone? As of right now boaters are paying the way for canoes/kayaks/cartops. All of which require F&G or Marine Patrol as much as boaters.

A kayaker calls Marine Patrol to complain about something, Marine Patrol must take their complaint even though they have not paid in the system and act on the complaint which costs money. This is being paid for by boat owners.

Someone in a canoe takes on water and is sinking, Marine Patrol is called and tows the canoe in, this costs money, yet the canoe owner has not paid in the system, how is this fair?

We all have a right to access the waters of the State and use them for whatever we like, but the ramps and services we all use need to be paid for, and it is time that we all share the burden.

As far as the sticker driving away tourists, Maine has seen no decline in tourism since instituting their decal program.

It has been mentioned on here that this would be a burden for resorts that have 30 kayaks, these resorts all are there to make a profit, if the kayak does not generate $10 per year in profit they can either get rid of it, or charge someone a $1 to use the kayak...problem solved.

Everyone loves a free ride, eventually someone has to foot the bill, and that time is now.

Sorry to be long winded and angry about the subject, but this subject hits a nerve.

Why don't we just hand over our pay check to the government and let them take what they want and then what's left over they can give it to us.

Tax this, and tax that, fund government for this, and fund government that ...when is this BS going to stop.

All of these government agencies need to get their house in order and stop all this wanting more from the citizens of this country.

[RANGER CANOE CO]

Originally Posted by Rob M

When I show up at a boat launch at 6am to launch and can not park because the lot is full and 3/4 of the spots are taken by kayakers it is unfair and frustrating. I have paid money into the system which built and maintains the launch, the kayakers have not. How can we come up with a fair solution for everyone? As of right now boaters are paying the way for canoes/kayaks/cartops. All of which require F&G or Marine Patrol as much as boaters.

A kayaker calls Marine Patrol to complain about something, Marine Patrol must take their complaint even though they have not paid in the system and act on the complaint which costs money. This is being paid for by boat owners.

Someone in a canoe takes on water and is sinking, Marine Patrol is called and tows the canoe in, this costs money, yet the canoe owner has not paid in the system, how is this fair?

We all have a right to access the waters of the State and use them for whatever we like, but the ramps and services we all use need to be paid for, and it is time that we all share the burden.

As far as the sticker driving away tourists, Maine has seen no decline in tourism since instituting their decal program.

It has been mentioned on here that this would be a burden for resorts that have 30 kayaks, these resorts all are there to make a profit, if the kayak does not generate $10 per year in profit they can either get rid of it, or charge someone a $1 to use the kayak...problem solved.

Everyone loves a free ride, eventually someone has to foot the bill, and that time is now.

Sorry to be long winded and angry about the subject, but this subject hits a nerve.

Well Sir, If you show up at the F+G boat ramp on Squam Lake with your car top canoe or kayak and park. Your car will be TOWED because you have to have a trailer hooked to your auto @ this (ONLY) public access to Squam. Two years ago, 2 ladies from Mass payed $325, because their car was towed all the way to Bristol because of some crazy towing rotation contract (?) I talked to these people at the ramp, who taught their car was stolen. PD told them it was towed. They didn't see the tiny sign saying you need a trailer. And FYI, You better get to the Squam ramp before 5am to beat the bass boat crowd. Whats Hunting + fishing got to do with paddling anyway. Most paddlers don't shoot and gut a deer, trust me Rusty has it right, Amen brother, Hut Hut. Now its Milfoil $ grab.