Bought a new boat (thinking to buy a boat) and wondering whether the boat needs to be registered or not? Buying a boat is one thing (work), and registering & titling is another big thing (work) to do. Let’s find out what boats are exempt from registration?
Non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, sailboats(based on length in some states), etc. are exempt from registration. But there are some exceptions for that; some states require a non-motorized boat to be registered. Mostly, non-motorized boats are exempt from registration.
Although registration requirements vary from state to state, there are no significant changes in the rules. Most states don’t require a non-motorized boat to be registered to that state. And most states require a boat to be registered to that state if it has a motor.
Generally, in most states, non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats, etc. are exempt from registration, and still, it can depend on the place where you live, and many factors decide whether a non-motorized boat needs to be registered or not. Okay, let’s look at those factors.
Most states stipulate that a boat should be registered in a state where it is intended to use it the most (used principally) or docked or moored. To know whether a boat can be registered in other states other than where you live, check my article on that click here.
Related post – Check my article on Can a boat be registered in two states? (link opens in a new tab) to know boat registration in two states simultaneously and in other states other than where you live.
Some of the factors that exempt a boat from registration
Sometimes, whether a boat requires registration or not depends mainly on two factors; that is the boat length (for motorized and non-motorized boats) and the horsepower of the motor it has (for a motorized boat). Only some states require boat registrations based on those two factors, and most states require a boat to be registered if it has a motor.
- Boat length – In some states, larger boats require registration. If your boat exceeds that threshold, it needs to be registered. Registration for most of the sailboats is based on its length.
- For example, Montana state requires registration for a motorized boat if it exceeds 12 feet in length, and in New Mexico, registration is required for a motorized boat if it exceeds 10 feet in length.
- And for a non-motorized boat, boat length decides whether it needs to be registered or not in some states such as Florida – above 16 feet, Iowa – above 13 feet, Minnesota – above 9 feet, and South Dakota – above 12 feet.
- Similarly, there are so many states that follow the same rule, but boat length doesn’t matter for a motorized boat because many states require a boat to be registered if it has a motor.
- Horsepower – There are some exceptions for a motorized boat. In some states, big horsepower boats require registration. If your boat exceeds that threshold, it needs to be registered.
- For example, Washington state requires all motorized boats above ten hp need to be registered. Generally, very few states don’t require registration for a motorized boat.
- Even if you add a small motor (trolling motor) to a non-motorized boat such as kayak, canoe, etc. it needs to be registered because a small electric motor propels the boat, which satisfies the condition of a motorized boat.
But those two are not the exemptions followed by all the states; every state will have its own version of the rules. So, it mostly depends on the place where you live, and some other things that exempt a boat from registration are listed below.
- Some states don’t require a boat to be registered if they are operated in privates waters. For example, in Georgia, vessels used exclusively on private ponds or lakes are exempt from registration.
- Some states don’t require a boat to be registered if they are used for racing purposes. For example, in Hawaii and Oklahoma, vessels used exclusively and solely for racing purposes are excluded from registration.
Like that, every state will have some exception from registering a boat. And in most common, all motorized boats need to be registered, and all non-motorized boats are exempt from registration; there are very few exceptions in some states based on its length and HP it has.
Do boats without motor need to be registered?
Registration is not required for a boat without a motor. But some states require sailboats to be registered with or without motor, and a few states require non-motorized boats to be registered based on length. But most states don’t need registration for boats without motors.
In general, registration is not required for boats without motors such as kayaks, canoe, rowboats, paddleboats, sailboats without motor and regular boats without motors, etc. Registration is required for motorized boats. A boat without a motor is not a motorized boat.
That’s why a boat without a motor doesn’t require registration in most states. But there are some exceptions to that. Meaning some boats without a motor requires registration, and it is mostly based on the boat length. If they exceed that length, it requires registration: otherwise no need.
Some states, such as Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Kansas, Maine, Mississippi, and Tennessee, require registration for sailboats regardless of the size of the sailboat (length) and with or without motors. And Some states require registration for sailboats based on length. If they exceed that length, it requires registration, such as
- California – above 8 feet
- Connecticut – above 19 1/2 feet
- Georgia – above 12 feet
- Louisiana – above 12 feet
- Missouri – above 12 feet
- New Hampshire – above 12 feet
- new Jersey – above 12 feet
- North Carolina – above 14 feet
- Oregon – above 12 feet
- Texas – above 14 feet
Some states require registration for non-motorized boats such as kayak and canoe based on its length. If they exceed that length, it requires registration in some states, such as
- Florida – above 16 feet
- Iowa – above 13 feet
- Minnesota – above 9 feet
- South Dakota – above 12 feet
Like that, some states require a non-motorized to be registered to that state based on some factors. However, most states don’t require non-motorized boats to be registered.
So, most probably, you need not worry about this unless and until if you are buying a sailboat or if you are buying a big sized (in length) non-motorized boats such as a kayak or canoe.
Do boats with trolling motors need to be registered?
Registration is required for a boat with a trolling motor because a small electric motor propels the boat, which satisfies the condition of a motorized boat. So, a boat with a trolling motor requires registration, although it has less power compared to other motors (outboards or Sterndrives).
Even a non-motorized boat such as a kayak and canoe needs registration after adding a trolling motor to it. It needs to be registered because a small motor propels the boat, which satisfies the condition of a motorized boat. For example, Massachusetts, Iowa, Georgia, etc. require a kayak or canoe with a trolling motor need to be registered.
But there are few exceptions for that, as I mentioned earlier, if it doesn’t exceed a particular length or used in private waters, or if it has less HP, then registration is not required. It will most likely vary from state to state, so it depends on the state where you live.
Do boats with electric motors need to be registered?
Registration is required for a boat with an electric motor because an electric motor propels the boat, which satisfies the condition of a motorized boat. So, a boat with an electric motor needs to be registered.
And there is no much difference between a boat propelled by an electric motor and a motor powered by gas or diesel. Nowadays, all the electric motors are giving the same output as a motor powered by gas or diesel in low and medium ranges (up to 30 hp or 40 hp).
With that being said, electric motors are becoming more robust day by day, so a boat with an electric motor needs to be registered as well. But there are few exceptions for that, as I mentioned earlier, if it doesn’t exceed the threshold (in length) or used in private waters, or if it has less HP, then registration is not required.
The takeaway
Finally, non-motorized boats such as kayaks, canoes, rowboats, paddleboats, etc. are exempt from registration. Although there are few exemptions, such as if the boat is smaller in length, used in private water, has less HP, used for racing purposes, etc. no need registration.
If you are buying a small-sized (in length) non-motorized boats, you probably don’t need to worry about registration because many states don’t require registration for a small-sized non-motorized boat such as kayak, canoe, etc.
However, if you add a small motor (trolling motor) to any boat, it requires registration with some exceptions. Since registration requirements vary from state to state so, make sure to check the state (where you live) registration requirements for a boat thoroughly.
