Do You Have To Register A Boat With A Trolling Motor In Illinois

man paddling an inflatable boat on a lake on a cloudy day — Could this inflatable gunkhole need registering? It'southward possible.

To me, the idea of registering my inflatable angling boat initially seemed a bit silly. I mean, it easily fits into the trunk of my car and was pretty cheap, to begin with. Would I need a registration?

So, do yous have to register an inflatable boat or kayak? It varies state by state, only some states crave registrations for inflatable boats, even those not propelled past mechanically-powered trolling motors. Your state's DMV will likely handle questions on registrations, but the DNR may accept additional requirements when navigating state-owned waters.\

Determining whether or non you lot need to annals your inflatable gunkhole or kayak with your state can be a complicated affair. Each state may have unlike rules and requirements, and various aspects of your inflatable boat may be important.

How tin I tell if I need to annals my inflatable gunkhole or kayak?

Before we begin to discuss the land-specific rules for inflatable boat or kayak registration, it's of import to understand how most states determine whether your inflatable needs a registration. Before going any further, know the following pieces of information:

The length of your inflatable boat or kayak
Whether you use mechanical propellers (including electric trolling moors)
If y'all program on using your inflatable boat or kayak on DNR owned lands

Obviously, it varies state-by-land, but this information will unremarkably be enough for y'all to determine whether you need to register your inflatable kayak or boat. Most states consider inflatable boats exempt to boat registration rules if they do non use mechanical propellers such as electric trolling motors.

inflatable boat with two inflatable seats on a boat landing of a lake — Note that this inflatable boat is equipped for mounting a trolling motor to the stern. If I had a trolling motor mounted it may well alter the legal condition of this inflatable boat.

1 caveat to be aware of is that even though the DMV of a state may not require the registration of an inflatable boat, it'due south all the same possible that the DNR may require registration when the inflatable boat is used on state-endemic lands such as state parks. So e'er exist sure to check that the waters you bring your inflatable boat to don't have site-specific regulations that may require you to register your inflatable boat.

Which states crave registration of inflatable boats non mechanically propelled?

Here's a list of states that currently crave the registration of inflatable kayaks or boats:

Washington, DC

Residents of the capital urban center aren't in luck, as Washington DC requires the registration of all vessels of whatsoever length, whether or not they are manually powered or mechanically propelled. The vast majority of inflatable boats and kayaks volition probably exist registered at there lowest tier; equally the boat length, brackets brainstorm at xvi ft long and above. Yous can cheque out more data about registering a boat in Washington DC by using this link.

Massachusetts

In the state of Massachusetts inflatable boats that do non employ mechanical means of propulsion aren't required to officially register. However, any inflatable gunkhole that uses an electrical trolling motor is going to be required to annals equally all boats powered by motors that operate on public waterways in the land of Massachusetts need registration.

Ohio

Sorry, Buckeye country residents. There are very few exemptions to the inflatable boat regulations in the state of Ohio. Every bit of 2018, Ohio only doesn't require the registration of paddleboards, kiteboards, and belly boats. Everything else will crave registration and the cost of that registration may vary based on the gunkhole length or the propelling mechanism.

Minnesota

If you have an inflatable boat that uses whatsoever kind of motorized propeller, it will need registration in the state of Minnesota. The just time your inflatable boat or kayak will non require registration in Minnesota is if it never uses mechanical propellers and information technology is under 10 ft in length. Everything else will need to be registered in Minnesota.

Delaware

For the residents of Delaware, all inflatable boats or kayaks will demand to be registered with the state. Unlike some other states, Delaware doesn't offer an exemption for manually propelled boats. Their form has specific sections for boats with vinyl or rubber hull material and inflatable vessels, and then at that place's no getting out of this one.

Iowa

If you lot plan on using a trolling motor on your inflatable boat or kayak in Iowa, you'll need to register it with the land. Regarding inflatable boats and kayaks that won't use motors, Iowa actually splits out the registration exemptions by inflatable boats and inflatable kayaks. For inflatable kayaks, you lot'll merely demand to register with the state of Iowa if information technology is greater than 13 feet in length. For inflatable boats, whatever boat that is longer than seven feet long will need to be registered. This means that most inflatable boats are probable going to require registration in Iowa, as most are longer than 7 anxiety.

States with recently changed laws regarding inflatable boats

Illinois

It'due south important to note that Illinois used to crave the registration of all inflatable boats, but that is no longer the case. Equally of June 1st, 2018, the state of Illinois no longer requires non-powered watercraft to be registered with the DMV. This alter came most from the Boat Registration and Safety Human activity, which aimed to simplify the Illinois boat registration laws. Annotation that whatsoever inflatable kayaks or boats that program on using electric motors will nevertheless require registration with the state.

How to register an inflatable boat or kayak

Alright, so now that we've gone through the states that may require an inflatable boat or kayak to be registered, how would you lot register it? Like everything else, this is going to be dependent on which land you live in, but it volition almost ever exist run through the DMV for your state. You'll likely need to know the following things about your inflatable gunkhole or kayak:

The vessel length
Proof of buy (if new)
Make and model of boat
Type of motor used (manually powered vs. electric trolling motor)

Most states will allow you lot to submit the information either electronically or through the mail, just information technology's possible that you lot might have to visit the DMV to complete the registration of your inflatable gunkhole or kayak. Information technology varies from state to state, but some states will allow for boat registrations for up to iii years in length, so at least you'll save some paperwork with that.

picture of an inflatable boat and an inflatable kayak on a boat landing for a lake — Either of these inflatable watercraft may require registration with your land.

The registration fees normally aren't too expensive although that is definitely a matter of stance. I think it would be understandable to exist a little annoyed at paying $20 a year to annals an inflatable boat that might have cost but $150 new, tops.

Contact the DMV or DNR when in incertitude

If yous accept whatever questions or uncertainties well-nigh whether yous volition need to annals your inflatable boat or kayak, it would be a great idea to contact your DMV regardless. They'll know more nearly the regulations and volition be able to walk you through the unabridged process.

view from a distance of a small public lake in illinois — Ever know who manages the lake you lot're on. This minor lake is managed by my canton, so I would demand to know their rules before considering anything.

If y'all anticipate that you'll exist canoeing on state lands such equally land parks or state-managed fish and game lands, it would exist very benign for you to sympathise how your local DNR views inflatable boats and kayaks. It'southward possible that y'all might need to annals it if you programme on kayaking or angling those waters.

Note: The in a higher place is a summary of state laws and may or may not exist the nigh current or up to date source on the affair. Always check with your local authorities to ensure your compliance with all laws and regulations. This postal service should not be taken every bit legal advice.