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How to Register a Boat or Water Craft in California

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Submitted by deniz on Sun, 01/11/2009 - 05:05

Most new boats must be registered through the California Department of Motor Vehicles before they can be sailed.

[edit] VESSELS THAT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

  1. Any powerboat
  2. Sailboats longer than eight feet

[edit] VESSELS THAT DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION

  1. New boats owned by non-residents who will primarily use the boat out-of-state
  2. A sailboat without a motor, or any boat eight feet or less in length
  3. Any boat that is propelled only by oars or paddles
  4. Boats registered in another state and not used being in California
  5. Surfboards or sailboards
  6. A ship's lifeboat
  7. Racing boats brought into the State for racing or maintenance

[edit] TO REGISTER IN PERSON

[edit] TO REGISTER BY U.S. MAIL

The boat registration application and proof of ownership can also be mailed to: 
CA Department of Motor Vehicles
P.O. Box 942869
Attn: Vessel Section
Sacramento, CA 94269-0001

[edit] FEES

Boat registration fees range from $19 to $37, depending on the year of registration and whether the applicant is a State resident or not. See here for a more detailed breakdown of the registration fees In addition, vessels registered in California are subject to property taxes in the county in which the vessel is stored or moored.

[edit] ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

  • Both the vessel registration number and hull identification numbers must be clearly displayed on the vessel, according to California requirements.
  • Commercial vessels of five net tons or more or 30 feet or more in length must be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard only, and not with the California Department of Motor Vehicles.
  • For additional information, see the ABCs of the California Boating Law

Comments

Submitted by bendjamin on Wed, 11/04/2009 - 06:00.

if i buy a boat on line from a broker is a receipt all that is need to register it or will i get a cert of orgin, if so can this be handle by the auto club (aka) aaa? also will it need to be inspected. Is it good to insure my boat here - cheap car insurance (http://insurecarok.com) ?

Submitted by JohnS on Tue, 11/03/2009 - 07:50.

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Submitted by alaska on Thu, 10/29/2009 - 13:48.

thanks for this wonderful post really good. I would like to tell everyone that there is no company better than for auto insurance.

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Submitted by kyri on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 15:24.

Boating registration fees help to pay for important boating related services and marine supplies (http://www.stemtostern.com/) throughout the state. So it's in boaters best interest to make sure they register their boat.

Submitted by JohnS on Wed, 10/28/2009 - 08:21.

Boat insurance will protect owners of water vehicles and personal watercraft in case of accidents or vandalism, and also covers boaters in case of liability for injury to other people or property.

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Submitted by Keith Russel on Thu, 10/22/2009 - 06:32.

Wow that is a great piece of information that you have put together here. Usually people search for car registration or car insurance but boats are not the ones found randomly.

I need to have car insurance information in the state of California.

Keith,

California Car Insurance (http://www.californiacarinsurance.com)

Submitted by daivd00 on Tue, 10/13/2009 - 05:05.

Hi,

why fresh water is not salty?, but why marine water is salty?

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Submitted by oscarmontoya on Tue, 07/21/2009 - 20:13.

liketoregistermyboat

Submitted by LGUERRERO1 on Mon, 06/22/2009 - 13:04.

I BOUGHT A BOAT AND TRAILER FROM A DEALERSHIP ON FEB, 9, 2009. TO DATE I HAVE NOT RECEIVED ANYTHING DOCUMENTS. HAVE CONTACTED THE DEALER BUT HAVE NOT RECEIVED AN ANSWER.

Submitted by Patricia A. Didion on Thu, 05/28/2009 - 21:58.

i payed for my boat in 5-31-2002, but i have not recieved a notice for my trailer. i have not used in 5 yrs. but i am thinking of taking to some one to fix. but i need a new tag for my trailer. was never sent by dmv.

thank you

pat didion

Submitted by renato leano on Sat, 04/04/2009 - 15:24.

i would like to chack registration on my boat

Submitted by rmcmiller on Thu, 04/02/2009 - 22:21.

if i buy a boat on line from a broker is a receipt all that is need to register it or will i get a cert of orgin, if so can this be handle by the auto club (aka) aaa? also will it need to be inspected.