Do Kayaks Need To Be Registered In Massachusetts?

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Massachusetts is a paradise for kayakers due to the number of kayaking opportunities in the state. The 1500-mile coastline, thousands of lakes, dams, and ponds, and the many miles of rivers present an innumerable mount of kayaking possibilities in this region. There are some legalities for watercraft that you need to comply with as a kayaker before venturing out on any public waters in Massachusetts with your kayak.

Kayaks do not need to be registered in Massachusetts since a kayak is a non-motorized boat, and as such, registration is not required. If you add a motor to the kayak, such as a trolling motor, even if the motor is not in constant use, the kayak needs to be registered before use on public waterways.

Because of the number of waterways in the state, the legalities around activities on the water are diligently enforced by the Massachusetts law enforcement officers, and breaking the laws could incur heavy fines or even jail time. Ignorance of the relevant law is not an acceptable excuse, so it is wise to make sure that you know which laws apply to kayaks out on the waters of Massachusetts.

Registration Of Kayaks In Massachusetts

The laws around activities on the water are strictly enforced in Massachusetts, which means that you should have a clear understanding of what is required from you as a kayaker to stay within the bounds of the law.

Do Kayaks Need To Be Registered In Massachusetts?

Some of the laws are fairly vague and do not mention kayaks specifically but rather boats in general of a specific size. A view of the exact wording and the interpretation of the wording to include kayaks under the term boat will allow you to read and understand the legislation correctly.

The law regarding boat registration in Massachusetts states that any motor-powered boat that operates on any public waterway must be registered. The legislation goes on to specifically include motorized canoes.

Now while the legislation does not specifically mention kayaks, the argument that a kayak is a boat and can also be classified as a canoe cannot be denied.

Reading this legal registration requirement, it is clear that if your kayak is paddle powered only and has no motor to drive the craft, then you are not required to register the kayak.

Do Kayaks With Trolling Motors Need To Be Registered in Massachusetts?

Many kayaks, especially fishing kayaks, are fitted with trolling motors to make it easier for the kayaker to access fishing spots with little effort.

According to the law regarding boat registrations, the wording stipulates “any motor-powered boat,” which would include a kayak powered by a trolling motor. The fact that the motor is not used always used to power the kayak does not exempt you from registering the craft.

One aspect of kayak registration that is often neglected is the even if your kayak does not have a motor, but it has the fittings for a moted to be used on the craft, then the kayak must be registered, whether a motor is used on it or not.

How To Register A Kayak In Massachusetts

If your kayak requires registration, there is a process you need to undergo and fees payable for the registration.

The process can be quite daunting for a first-time registration, but if you purchase your kayak from a dealership or a large store, they will assist you with the registration process and provide you with the necessary documentation.

The registration process for the kayak will require the following:

Bill of sale for the kayak.
Proof that sales tax has been paid.
A pencil tracing of the kayak’s serial number.
A completed registration form.
The required fees are payable in the form of a check or money order. Payment for the required fees can be made with a credit card or debit card if the application is made in person.

If the kayak is bought second-hand, you need to have a copy of the previous owner’s registration to accompany your application.

What is the Cost to Register a Kayak in Massachusetts?

The fee for registering a boat that is under 16-feet in length is $44, and the registration is valid for two years. The cost for the title of the boat is $27.50 and is valid until the kayak is sold, transferred to another person, or destroyed.

Once the registration is complete, you will be provided with decals for your kayak, which must be prominently displayed in a clearly visible position on the hull of the craft.

Your application for registration can be made in person at one of five registration offices across the state, or you can mail in your application for registration to a registration office with a money order made out to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts or a check for the fees payable.

If your kayak has been registered and you use a motor on your kayak, you will also need to comply with the lighting requirements for the kayak. The lights that you will need on the kayak are as follows.

A bright white light on the stern that has two-mile visibility.
A combined lantern in the front of the kayak showing a red light to port and a green light to starboard.

Even kayaks that are not registered and not powered by a motor are required to have a flashlight aboard with a white light that can be illuminated towards another approaching watercraft.

What Other Laws Are Relevant To Kayaking In Massachusetts?

The requirement to register a motor-driven kayak is not the only law applicable when kayaking in Massachusetts waters.

Here are some of the other relevant laws you should be aware of before you put your kayak in the water:

It is illegal to operate a kayak on the water with a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or more.
It is against the law to be out on your kayak if you are under the influence of marijuana or any other narcotic drug that will impair your judgment or ability to adequately control the craft.
A life-jacket or PFD is required.
You are required to carry a sounding device, such as a whistle, attached to your PFD.
All boats, including kayaks out on the water between sunset and sunrise, must carry visual distress signaling devices or VSD.

Conclusion

In a state where there are numerous waterways, and water activities are popular, there need to be laws in place to ensure the safety of everyone out on the water.

While these laws may seem to be a little extreme for a boat as small as a kayak, they nonetheless need to be adhered to. The intention of the law is not to make boat ownership onerous but rather in the interests of general public safety in the water.

The purpose of registration will allow watercraft to be identified should they contravene any of the laws for operating on the water that could endanger the occupants of the craft or other members of the public out on the water.