Which Boats Require Registration?

Requirements for vessel registration vary from state to state. In Wisconsin, you must have a Wisconsin Certificate of Number (registration) and expiration decals to operate a recreational vessel legally. Exceptions to the requirement to register a recreational vessel include:

• Sailboats 12 feet in length or less and not equipped with a motor and sailboards
• Manually propelled vessels not equipped with a motor or sail
• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Wisconsin waters for less than 60 consecutive days