E-foils? Jetboards? Pennsylvania looks to catch up boating rules to new water rides

These aren’t your uncle’s rowboat with electric trolling motor.

E-foils and jetboards are becoming increasingly popular with thrill-seekers on Pennsylvania’s waterways, and lawmakers are looking to catch boating regulations up to the new technology.

The state House Game & Fisheries Committee on Tuesday unanimously sent to the House floor new requirements for these electric-powered personal watercraft.

An e-foil is essentially a surfboard with a hydrofoil (a wing-like structure) mounted underneath and an electric motor attached to the mast. The hydrofoil lifts the board above the water as speed increases, reducing drag and creating a smooth, gliding sensation. A jetboard is a motorized surfboard that uses a jet propulsion system (similar to a jet ski) to move across the water’s surface.