March 4, 2005

OHIO BOAT REGISTRATIONS

All recreational boats and personal watercraft, including canoes, kayaks and johnboats must be registered in Ohio. There are few exceptions to this rule that include sailboards and certain types of inflatable watercraft that do not have to be registered.

All recreational watercraft must have permanently attached a 12-character hull identification number (HIN) in addition to the customary Ohio registration numbers. Watercraft that are less than 20 feet long and were built after January 1, 1997 also must have a permanently affixed weight capacity plate that describes the maximum safely allowable weight of all persons, equipment and gear to be carried on the boat.

There is an optional registration method for owners of hand-powered canoes, kayaks, johnboats, rowing sculls and racing shells.

Registration fees vary by type and length of boat. A traditional registration for hand-powered boats such as canoes and rowboats is $15 and valid for a three-year period. Boats that are powered by sail or motor may be registered for fees starting at $33 and upward depending on length of boat.

A title is required for all powered boats 14 feet and greater in length, outboard motors of 10 horsepower or more, and all personal watercraft.

Additional information about watercraft registration and titling requirements is available on the Division of Watercraft web site at ohiodnr.com or by calling toll free 1-877-4BOATER (1-877-426-2837).

• In 2004, a total of 414,938 watercraft were registered in Ohio, ranking the state eighth nationally. A record 418,701 watercraft were registered in Ohio during 2000.

• Registrations in eight Lake Erie region counties declined slightly to 79,378 in 2004 compared to 81,371 in 2003 and 81,423 in 2002. Four of these counties (Cuyahoga, Lucas, Lorain, Lake) were in the Top Ten statewide in 2004.

• Registrations in 14 Ohio River Valley counties declined slightly to 52,915 in 2004 compared to 53,893 in 2003 and 53,470 in 2002.

• Top Ten counties in watercraft registrations during 2004 remain unchanged from 2003, 2002 and 2001, and included: Franklin, Cuyahoga, Summit, Hamilton, Montgomery, Stark, Lucas, Butler, Lorain, Lake.