When you register your boat in Oregon youll get a wallet size certificate of number and what else for the boat?

  • Children under the age of ten cannot operate a motor driven watercraft except when they are under direct adult supervision; Anyone under the age of 14 cannot operate or allow to be operated without adult supervision if the vessel is powered by a motor rated higher than 15 horsepower.

Benewah County

  • Children between the ages of 10-14 cannot operate a motorboat with a motor rating of 15 horsepower or higher unless they are under direct supervision of an adult operator; Children under the age of 10 may not operate any motorboat except under the direct supervision of an adult.

Bonner County

  • Children under the age of 10 cannot operate a motor-driven watercraft (including Personal Watercraft) unless under direct adult supervision; Children between the ages of 10-14 cannot operate a motorboat with a motor rating higher than 10 horsepower.

Kootenai County

  • Adult supervision is required when an operator of a boat or other vessel is between the ages of 10-14, unless the motor is 15 horsepower or less.
     

Kids 14 years old and under must wear a Coast Guard approved life jacket when they are aboard a boat 19 feet in length or less, whenever the boat is underway or under power. This applies to paddle craft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and rafts in addition to powerboats, sailboats, personal watercraft (jet skis) and fishing float tubes.Idaho law requires that one properly fitting and Coast Guard approved life jacket must be on board for each person on a boat, and life jackets must be readily accessible.  Stored under the seat or in a dry bag is not considered readily accessible. Of course, just like a seat belt during an auto accident, a life jacket won't do you much good if you don't have it on BEFORE you fall overboard. If you have a boat 16 feet or longer you also need a Type IV floatation aid which is designed to be thrown, not worn (i.e. ring buoy or cushion).

Paddle craft such as canoes, kayaks, paddleboards and rafts do not have to carry the Type IV floatation aid.

Idaho has a county-based boating program. To obtain information about a specific location, contact the county parks and recreation manager, or the county waterways chairperson. Most county commissioners appoint a waterways committee to advise on matters relating to waterways docks, construction, maintenance, local laws and user fees. In some cases the site may be managed by a federal agency, a private marina, a power company or a city.

Fly fishing float tubes are considered a vessel in Idaho and do need to have a Coast Guard approved life jacket and a sound producing device on board. They are exempt from registration. You need not carry a life jacket when on lakes smaller than 200 surface acres at natural high water.

The U.S. Coast Guard has determined that paddleboards are vessels when used outside a marked swimming, surfing or bathing area. Before venturing out on the water with your stand-up paddleboard please remember you must have a life jacket, whistle, and an invasive species sticker. Inflatable paddleboards less than 10’ in length are exempted from the invasive species sticker requirement. Kids 14 years old and under are required to wear a life jacket on a paddleboard. Similar to power boat operators, paddleboard operators are subject to arrest for being under the influence of alcohol or drugs.  To receive additional safety information fill out the My Boat box below.

Yes. Idaho law requires the person in charge of marine events to apply for a marine event permit 30 days prior to the event.  You can download an electronic copy of the application or request a hard copy of the form from your local county sheriff’s office. If you download the electronic form, please save it, print it, then submit it directly to your local county sheriff’s office.

Please note that events on Federally controlled waters may be subject to additional permitting by the United States Coast Guard.  Coast Guard permit applications must be submitted 135 days in advance of the event.  Some popular Federal waters in Idaho include Lake Coeur d’Alene, Priest Lake, Lake Pend Oreille, Dworshak Reservoir, Bear Lake, Snake River, Clearwater River, St. Joe River, Salmon River, Priest River and Brownlee Reservoir.  Associated tributaries for these bodies of waters may also be Federally controlled.  See the complete list of Federally controlled waters. Apply for a Coast Guard Permit.

Currently there are no federal, state or local laws that prohibit the use of two-stroke motors anywhere in Idaho.

Open containers are allowed on a boat, but the same rules that apply to drinking and driving also apply to drinking and boating as far as impairment.  Boat operators can be arrested for Operating Under the Influence (OUI) if their blood alcohol level is 0.08% or greater. Those convicted of operating a boat under the influence can receive a maximum fine of $1,000 and a sentence of up to six months in the county jail.

Approximately 40 boat operators are arrested each year in Idaho for OUI.  It is strongly recommend to have a designated driver. Alcohol is even more hazardous on the water than on land. The marine environment – motion, vibration, engine noise, sun, wind and spray – accelerates a drinker's impairment. These stressors cause fatigue that makes a boat operator's coordination, judgment and reaction time decline even faster when using alcohol.  Alcohol is also a contributing factor to many boat accidents (including fatal accidents).  Don’t drink and boat!

Sellers: 

If you are selling your boat to someone else, there are a few things you need to do.

  • Fill out a bill of sale and give to the buyer.
  • If applicable, give the title to the buyer.

Buyers:

If you have recently purchased a boat, you will need to take the Bill of Sale, Title (if applicable)*, and the Transfer Form (shown above) to the Department of Motor Vehicles.

*Boat titles are not required on boats before the year 2000.

More information about Boat Titling in Idaho.

What makes water so alluring? Maybe it’s the gentle bobbing of the waves, or the rhythmic sound they make against the side of a boat. Maybe it’s being surrounded by the most soothing color in nature.

Whatever it is, water triggers “a mildly meditative state characterized by calm, peacefulness, unity, and a sense of general happiness and satisfaction with life in the moment,” says marine biologist Wallace J. Nichols. In the summer, just looking at the water can make you feel cooler.

It’s why 87 million U.S. adults participate in recreational boating activities and 17 percent of households own a boat. Boating opens up countless recreational opportunities—and with a seaworthy vessel at your disposal, you can hit the water anytime the mood strikes you. The average boat owner spends about 17 days a year on the water, averaging more than four hours per jaunt.

“You can boat on pristine waters and enjoy solitude; you can boat where large numbers of boaters gather to share a more social experience; you can boat on calm waters or in large waves; you can boat on some of the best whitewater in the world; and you can boat where the pure enjoyment of nature and your surroundings will astound you,” says Capt. David Rokes of the U.S. Coast Guard.

If you have good credit, applying for a boat loan can put you on the water without breaking your bank account. But there’s more to buying a boat than simply paying the sticker price. Boat owners face a lot of miscellaneous up-front costs as well as ongoing expenses you’ll need to factor into your budget.

Truck and trailer

How do you plan to haul your boat around? Whatever size boat you choose, make sure you have a vehicle powerful enough to tow it. Most boat buyers also own a truck or SUV.

You’ll also need to buy a trailer. Some sources estimate the cost of a lightweight trailer at $700 to $1,100. A basic single-axle trailer can run you from $700 to $3,000. On the more expensive end of the scale, tri-axle trailers range from $5,000 to $7,000.

Safety equipment

Before you take your new boat for its first cruise, you’ll need to outfit it with all the required safety gear. On the must-have list:

  • Life vests. Oregon law requires your boat to carry at least one per person, so make sure you have plenty to go around. Prices can vary from $6 to more than $100 apiece, depending on the size and type of boating you’ll be doing. Choose your life vests wisely, since you never know when you and your passengers might need to rely on them.
  • Life preserver. Boats longer than 16 feet must also carry a Coast Guard-approved throwable flotation device. These can range from $12 to $70.​
  • Flares. The Coast Guard requires you to carry at least three flares to signal in case you need help. These cost around $20.​
  • Compressed air horn. Boats smaller than 39 feet must carry a whistle or compressed air horn, which can run you $18.​
  • Fire extinguisher. Fire is one of the biggest hazards on a boat, so you should always keep a fire extinguisher on board. You can get one for $15.​
  • Skier down flag. These are necessary for fun activities like water skiing. You can get one for about $5.

Insurance

Accidents happen. In the United States, more than 4,000 recreational boating accidents occur each year, causing nearly $42 million in damage. Boat insurance helps protect you, just in case. Although Oregon law doesn’t require it, you’ll need it if you plan to finance your purchase with a boat loan.

Boat insurance typically costs between $300 and $500, but in some cases it can exceed $1,000. The rate largely depends on:

  • What type of boat you have
  • The length of your boat
  • How often you plan to use it

Shopping around for the best deal can save you money. Some insurance companies give up to a 15 percent discount to boaters who receive boat safety training, for example.

Registration

Depending on the type of boat you buy, you may need to pay to have it registered. As of 2015, nearly 12 million recreational boating vessels were registered nationwide.

Each state has different requirements. In Oregon, boaters must register all motorboats and sailboats longer than 12 feet. Registration fees are determined by boat length, costing $4.50 per foot. For a 20-foot boat, that comes to $90. You’ll also need to pay a $50 title transfer fee. The fees might seem steep—but on the bright side, Oregon doesn’t tax boat sales.

Maintenance

The marine environment takes a heavy toll. Your boat must be winterized, cleaned and maintained frequently if you want it to stay seaworthy. Engines can be finicky. Seals can erode and require replacement. Every small feature on a boat is subject to wear and tear.

Don’t overlook the possibility of accidents, either. Forgetting to raise the motor while towing your boat up a boat ramp can result in a damaged propeller. Failing to use GPS in shallow waters can harm the hull.

These expenses vary depending on several factors, including the type of boat you have and how you use it. Some sources estimate maintenance costs at $1,800 a year for an 18-foot boat.

While boat owners often grouse about the hefty price tag, you can take heart in the fact that only 18 percent spend more than $5,000 a year on boating-related expenses, while three in 10 spend less than $500. Your mileage may vary.

Ready to hit the water? Apply for an OCCU boat loan online—and happy sailing!