Does A Boat That Is Not Being Used Need To Be Registered

Boat REGISTRATION & TITLING FAQs

1. Do I need to register or championship my boat?

REGISTRATION

Boats that must be registered:

Whatsoever boat powered by a gasoline, diesel or electric motor.
Vessels documented by the U.Southward. Coast Guard for recreational purposes. Documented vessels are large pleasure boats, such as yachts.
Boats such every bit sailboats that use gasoline, diesel or electrical motors for auxiliary power.

Boat - the Commission defines a boat every bit: Every description of watercraft synthetic or sold for the primary purpose of being used equally a ways of transportation on the h2o. The term does not include:

Surfboards and other like nonpowered contrivances used primarily equally swimming aids.
Commercial arts and crafts bailiwick to Federal manning and inspection requirements.

Go to our Registration/Titling page to find out how to register or title a boat.

UNPOWERED BOATS

Unpowered boats are boats without motors such equally certain kayaks, canoes, rowboats, sailboats, rafts or inflatable boats. Unpowered boats are not required to be registered – unless used at a Fish & Gunkhole Commission access area or lake, or at Pennsylvania state parks and country forests; or required by the owner.

Committee access areas
DCNR listing of PA state parks
Register or championship a gunkhole in PA

Another option for unpowered boats (only) is a Employ (Boat Launch) Let from the Fish & Boat Commission, or a Launch or Mooring Allow from the Department of Conservation and Natural Resource Bureau of Land Parks.

Permits tin can also be purchased at huntfish.pa.gov, our secure e-commerce site.

TITLING

Whatsoever boat purchased, transferred or sold, must be titled if the boat is:

Powered by an inboard motor, including personal watercraft, 1997 model year or newer.
Powered past an outboard motor, 14 anxiety or longer, 1997 model year or newer.
Currently titled in Pennsylvania.
Currently titled in another state when Pennsylvania becomes the state of primary uses.

Once a gunkhole is titled, it must remain titled past all future owners.

Any boat tin can be voluntarily titled. Gunkhole titling assures the buyer of a boat that the seller has clear ownership of a boat offered for auction. Some lenders won't finance a boat without a title, so securing a loan to purchase a boat may be easier if the gunkhole is titled. Titling is also a deterrent to boat theft. Boat dealers and other purchasers are more certain that someone offer a boat for sale has the legal correct to do and so.

2. What is the difference betwixt a registration and title?

A boat registration is similar to a car registration. A registration card is issued and must be carried on the boat as proof of registration. It is valid for and renewed every two (2) years. Registrations expire March 31 of the second year. Registering your boat allows you to boat in all other states and Canada. A boat must exist registered in the country of primary utilize. Registration is not a secure ownership document.

A boat title is similar to a auto championship. A boat championship is a legal document proving ownership; a registration does not prove ownership. Titles are often required by lenders to prove the seller has clear buying of the boat. A title needs to be purchased only once. Boat titles are simply issued by the Fish & Boat Committee.

3. Where tin I get a registration or title?

PA boat registrations and titles are issued exclusively by the Fish and Boat Commission.

In most cases, new boat owners volition want a Temporary Registration so they tin can use their boats while registration documents are processed. Temporary registrations are issued by approved Boat Registration Agents, county treasurers and Commission region offices. To find locations, consult our online list, or call price-free: 866-262-8734.

In one case there, you must complete an Application for Boat Registration/Championship, REV-336. This form and other registration and titling forms are available at many marine dealers, county treasurer offices and Commission regional offices. About forms are also available online or you can view Commission region function locations.

4. Tin can I use my boat while I'thousand waiting for my registration to be candy?

In most cases, new boat owners volition want a temporary registration then they can use the boat while the awarding is candy. Only canonical boat registration agents can event a temporary registration.

5. How much does it toll?

REGISTRATION FEES

Fees cover a 2-year menstruation, which expires March 31 of the 2nd year.

Unpowered Boats - two years

$22

Motorboats under 16 feet

$26

Motorboats 16 feet to less than 20 feet

$39

Motorboats twenty anxiety and over

$52

Commercial Passenger

$50

Transfer of Registration Fee - same owner with a electric current registration buys a new gunkhole

Agent Fee(for issuing temporary registration)

$ii

TITLING FEES

Certificate of Title (new or corrected)

$15

Lien recording

Indistinguishable

LAUNCH PERMIT FEES

Unpowered boats simply.

one yr

$thirteen.97

2 years

$23.97

*Pricing includes $ane.00 agent fee and $0.97 transcation fee.

The following boats are required to annals but are exempt from registration fees:

Motorboats owned or operated by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania.
Motorboats owned past public service organizations approved past the Committee and used exclusively for preparation, educational activity, h2o safety and other public service functions.
Motorboats owned by political subdivisions and quasi-public organizations, such every bit police departments, volunteer fire departments and river rescue units, and used exclusively in the performance of their work in enforcement or public prophylactic.

6. Can I renew my registration online?

Yeah. The renewal process tin can be completed online at huntfish.pa.gov. After completing the required fields, your boat registration will exist mailed to the address that is currently on file with the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (address will exist displayed for confirmation). A $2 fee is assessed for each gunkhole renewal done at huntfish.pa.gov.

New registrations and boat transfers cannot exist completed at huntfish.pa.gov, these must be done past post.....download REV-336 for new boat registrations and boat registration transfers.

7. What forms exercise I demand?

NEW REGISTRATION

Form REV-336 must be completed and signed by all parties. Proof of ownership must be provided in the form of a championship from Pennsylvania or another country, or the manufacturer'south certificate of origin* and a re-create of the beak of sale.

* An applicant for initial registration of a boat with a retail value of less than $ii,000 that is being registered voluntarily may substitute the original receipt issued past a dealer or other retailer for the manufacturer's certificate of origin.

REGISTRATION RENEWAL

Form PFBC-730A is mailed to boat owners several months before the current registration expires. Check the form carefully and correct whatever errors. Indicate the estimated gallons of gasoline used from the previous boating season. Signal whatever duplicates y'all need and return the form with the applicable fee.

Class PFBC-730A is the automatic renewal awarding mailed each December. If the boat owner doesn't receive this form or the registration has been expired for several years, so form PFBC-733 is the supplemental renewal form to use.

TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

The last registered owner and applicant (new owner) must complete and sign class REV-336 to transfer ownership of the gunkhole. A bill of sale, signed by the last registered possessor selling the boat, may be substituted for the seller's signature on course REV-336. Transferring ownership of a titled boat is but like transferring a car title. The titled possessor must sign the back of the title and have it notarized. The new owner must consummate, sign and submit course REV-336 with the applicative fee..

Pennsylvania Land Sales Tax: Sales tax is six percent (half dozen%), a local sales tax applies to boats and related accessories purchased by residents of Allegheny and Philadelphia Counties. Allegheny County residents are bailiwick to 1 pct local sales revenue enhancement, and Philadelphia residents are subject to 2 percent local sales revenue enhancement. Credit may exist given for taxation paid in another state.

8. What if I lose my boat decals, registration card or championship?

A duplicate registration carte is $three; a duplicate championship is $5. There is no accuse for replacement decals. Duplicate registration cards, decals and titles tin can exist obtained only from the Commission Licensing and Registration Section. Use form PFBC-732 for a duplicate registration carte and/or decals and form PFBC-T1 for a indistinguishable title.

nine. What if I never received my boat registration and decals?

If the Commission is notified within ninety days of issuing a registration certificate and validation decals that the intended recipient has not received them within 90 days, the Commission volition consequence a replacement registration certificate and a set of replacement validation decals at no price to the customer.

If the Commission does not receive notification within 90 days of issuing a registration certificate and validation decals that the intended recipient has non received them, the customer shall be required to buy a indistinguishable registration card at the cost of $three and shall be issued a set of replacement validation decals at no toll.

Duplicate registration cards, decals and titles tin can exist obtained only from the Committee Licensing and Registration Department. Apply form PFBC-732 for a indistinguishable registration card and/or decals.

10. Exercise I demand to written report a change of address?

Yes. Y'all must report the following changes inside 15 days to the Licensing and Registration Section using form PFBC-732.

Modify of address.
Modify of ownership.
Lost, stolen, destroyed or abased watercraft.

11. What is a Hull Identification Number (HIN)?

All boats built for sale since 1972 accept a Hull Identification Number (HIN) assigned by the manufacturer. The HIN is located on the outside of the transom (rear) on the starboard (right) side above the waterline. If the gunkhole is homemade or built earlier 1972, the Commission volition assign a HIN to the boat.

Example of a Hull Identification Number

12. How practice I display the registration number?

The numbers and letters must:

Be painted or permanently attached to each side of the boat's forward half.
Read from left to right.
Be bold, block messages and numbers, at to the lowest degree 3 inches high, and exist a contrasting colour to the groundwork.
Be separated by a dash or infinite equal to the width of whatever alphabetic character or number except "I" or "1."

Example of how to display boat registration numbers

The validation decal must be displayed within half-dozen inches of the number (before or following) on the same level. Follow these guidelines to remove the decals from the backing cloth:

Curve the three"ten 3" decals forth the middle score
Peel the decal away from the backing textile starting from the middle and working toward the outside edges.
Curve (practice not fold) the ane"ten 1" decal in the middle. Skin off the decal starting from the within border working toward the outside border.

Annotation: The Commission does not supply the actual messages and numbers. The possessor is responsible for purchasing and displaying the registration number. Hardware stores and boat dealers, for example, sell these kinds of letters and numbers.

13. Is my out-of-land registration valid in Pennsylvania?

In nigh cases, yeah.

It is legal to operate a boat registered in another state on Pennsylvania waters. Boats must be registered in the country of chief use. The state of main utilise is the country where a boat is on the water more than than it is on the h2o of whatever other state. It does not thing where you lot live. If y'all use your boat more ofttimes in Pennsylvania than your home state, PA is your principal state of use. The law allows for the occasional use of a boat in states other than those where the boat is registered.

Out-of-country boaters with a gunkhole validly registered in their home state are granted reciprocal privileges to boat in Pennsylvania for upwardly to 60 days. Persons who may use their boats in this state for greater than 60 days are required to register their boats in Pennsylvania.

Note that unlike states may have dissimilar requirements. For example some states may allow unpowered boats on land parks and other state-owned facilities to boat without a registration. In Pennsylvania, unpowered boats using country parks and Commission accesses are required to exist registered or to have a use (launch) permit.

xiv. Are there any other requirements or laws I should know about?

Yes. An overview of Pennsylvania boating can be found in the PA Canoeing Handbook. It provides detailed explanations of boating regulations, safety information and much more.

Impress (paper) copies are likewise available, free of charge, at Commission offices, county treasurers and canonical boat registration issuing agents. Call 888-723-4741 to get any of these publications.

While not a regulation or constabulary guide, our Canoeing FAQ may as well be useful. It provides information nigh canoeing in full general, boating regulations and canoeing rubber pedagogy.

xv. Why do I take to report how much fuel I used?

Fuel usage reports from registered boat owners let the Commission to recover a portion of the taxes paid when the fuel was purchased. The Commission uses this coin to support its canoeing programs. Under-reporting, or not reporting any fuel, decreases the corporeality of money available to back up boating facilities and boating programs in Pennsylvania. Registered gunkhole owners should endeavour to be every bit accurate as possible when providing this information.

sixteen. How exercise I sell my boat?

The virtually important office of the sale is to document the transaction accurately by including dates, costs, descriptions, signatures, etc. Y'all need to sign the proper registration and title forms as the seller, and the purchaser needs to exercise the same. For any registration and/or title awarding, all parties must complete and sign form REV-336.

17. Can I register my homemade gunkhole?

Homemade BOATS MAY NOT Exist SOLD OR OFFERED FOR SALE IN THIS COMMONWEALTH

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission (PFBC) will only accept applications from the original builder for their personal utilize for homemade boats that take been constructed from blueish prints, kits or parts of various boats by a generally recognized manufacturer. Building a boat from blue prints may require a marine survey and stability test past a certified marine surveyor. Customers may contact PFBC prior to construction for additional details.

The regulations are specifically outlined regarding the definition of a peculiarly constructed boat which is one of the post-obit:

(i) A boat not originally constructed by a generally recognized manufacturer of boats under a distinctive proper name and not materially altered from its original construction, simply assembled from parts of various boats or kits or both, and that would be ordinarily known equally a "homemade" gunkhole.

(ii) A boat that has been materially altered by the removal, improver or exchange of essential parts derived from various other makes and models and that the Committee determines cannot exist readily identified equally a boat of a generally recognized brand or model.

xviii. How many boats does the commission register?

The Commission provides a written report that shows the number of boat registrations sold.