How To Apply Boat Registration Numbers
While regulations in most states merely require that the numbers be affixed permanently, in most cases people will use one of two methods to apply boat registration numbers: stick-on vinyl decals, or stencils and paint.
Stick-on vinyl decals are most commonly used, since theyre available at most marine supply stores, are readily available in the minimum sizes and styles, and are easy to apply. Stick-on vinyl decals also offer excellent longevity and dont often come free from the boat as long as theyre applied on a clean, dry fiberglass surface.
Stencils are also effective, although few people want to apply paint to a fiberglass boatespecially in states which dont transfer registration numbers between owners. There are some situations, however, when they make a lot of sense.
- In the case of inflatables, for example, vinyl stick-on numbers may not adhere well and even if they do, are subject to loss as the inflatable collar shrinks and expands.
- Stick-ons may also be inappropriate for boats made of polyethylene as many have very slick surfaces that dont have good adhesion properties.
Utah Boat Registration Numbers
Utah boat registration numbers should be placed on the forward half of the hull. They must be able to be easily read from left to right.
Therefore, they should be in a contrasting color to the background, they should be in a plain type-style font, as well as three inches in height.
The prefix and suffix should be separated from the middle four numbers by spaces or hyphens, for example: UT-1234-AA. Boat registration numbers should be the only number on the forward half of the boat.
Utah boating law states that Except as provided by Section 73-18-9, the owner of each motorboat and sailboat on the waters of this state shall register it with the division as provided. Upon receipt of the application in the approved form, the division shall record the receipt and issue to the applicant registration decals and a registration card that state the number assigned to the motorboat or sailboat and the name and address of the owner.
Alternative Installation Of Boat Registration Stickers: The Wet Method:
You may also install these using the wet method. See our video below for details on the wet method.
Recommended Reading: Removing Mildew Stains From Vinyl
Louisiana Boat Registration Numbers
The number allotted should attached to each side of the forward half of the boat’s hull. The Louisiana registration number must be the only number on the forward half of the boat.
The letters and numbers can be any sort of plain, block font and three inches high. The boat registration number color must contrast with the hull color and clearly placed.
Between the prefix, the numerals, and the suffix, it is required to have a hyphen or space, for example: LA-1234-AA.
Louisiana boating law states that the owner of each motorboat or sailboat requiring numbering by this state shall file an application for number with the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries on forms approved by it. The owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat or sailboat the certificate of number in such manner as may be prescribed by rules and regulations of the department in order that it may be clearly visible. The number on the motorboat or sailboat shall be maintained in legible condition.
Pennsylvania Boat Registration Numbers
Pennsylvania boat registration numbers should be in plain, block style lettering and a contrasting color to the background so they are simple to read.
They should have two letters as the prefix, a series of four numbers, then two letters as the suffix with spaces or hyphens dividing them, for example: PA 1234 AA. The registration number should be attached on each side of the forward half of the hull and three inches in height the registration number should be the only number placed on the forward half of the bow.
Pennsylvania boating law states that Display of registration number and validation decal. The registration number shall be displayed above the waterline on both sides of the bow of the boat, considered to be any part of a boatâs side forward of a point halfway between the front and the back of the boat.
Don’t Miss: Can You Take A Boat Down The Mississippi River
Why Are Some Colors Hidden
We only allow certain combinations of specialty colors. Colors like Ultra Metallic, Reflective, and Fluorescent for example cannot be mixed together on the same graphic.
A few additional options are available when doming is enabled. This includes the addition of chrome mirror.
To view all of the colors available you need to change all of options you’ve selected back to a standard color.
Colorado Boat Registration Numbers
Colorado boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.
The boat registration number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: CL 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Colorado law states It is unlawful for any person to operate or use a vessel on the waters of this state or to possess a vessel at a vessel staging area unless the vessel has been numbered and a certificate of the number, referred to in this article as a âregistrationâ, has been issued to the vessel by the division.
Recommended Reading: Boat Seat Cleaner And Protector
‘no Problems’ Installation Guarantee
YES, We guarantee you will be able to install our numbers yourself in just a few minutes. We’re so sure our boat numbers are easy to install, if you mess up, we’ll reship your lettering again… FREE. For the vast majority, this extra little assurance is just the motivation they need to give this a try. Mess-ups are just that rare.
Illinois Boat Registration Numbers
Illinois boat registration numbers must be placed on each side of the vessel and they should be placed on the forward part of the hull and the only numbers placed in that area. They must be easily read from left to right. It must start with two capital letters followed by a space, four digits, another space, and end with two capital letters, for example: IL 1234 AA.
The registration number must be at least three inches high and in a block style font. The color must contrast with its background.
Illinois boating law states that it is unlawful operation of unnumbered watercraft. Every watercraft other than non-powered watercraft on waters within the jurisdiction of this State shall be numbered. No person may operate, use, or store or give permission for the operation, usage, or storage of any such watercraft on such waters unless it has on board while in operation.
Also Check: What To Use To Clean Vinyl Boat Seats
Placement Of Tx Number And Decal On Vessels
Expires on the last day of the month indicated.
- The TX number must be painted on, or otherwise attached to, each side of the forward half of the vessel, in such position as to provide easy identification.
- The TX number must read from left to right, be in BLOCK characters of good proportion not less than three inches in height and be of a color that contrasts with the background.
- The numerals must be separated from the prefix and the suffix by hyphens or equivalent spaces such as the following examples: TX 0001 GG or TX-0001-GG.
- The validation decal must be affixed in line with and three inches towards the rear of the boat from the TX number.
- The number printed on the decal must match the number listed on the certificate of number card issued for the vessel described on the card.
- Vessels registered as antique boats are permitted to display the registration decal on the left portion of the windshield. In the absence of a windshield, the registration decal must be attached to the certificate of number and made available for inspection when the boat is operated on public water.
New York Boat Registration Numbers
New York boat registration numbers consists of the letters “NY”, four numbers, and two ending letters. A space or a hyphen should separate the first and last two letters from the four numbers, for example: NY 1234 AA. The numbers are required to be attached to both sides of the vesselâs bow the registration number should be the only number on the forward half of the boat.
Boat registration numbers should be able to be easily read from left to right plain, block lettering three inches in high. Furthermore, they should be in a color that contrasts with that of the hull.
New York boating law states that boats without a motor do not need to be registered. If you use a motor , regardless of the size of your boat or the motor, you must register your boat. Put your registration stickers 18 inches from the bow on both sides of the boat. This is approximately the same position that the stickers are located when a boat is also required to have registration numbers on the hull.
Also Check: Boat Seat Cleaner For Mildew
Connecticut Boat Registration Numbers
Connecticut boat registration numbers must be at least three inches high as well as contrasting in color to the background.
The boat registration number must be in an easy to read block font and attached so it is distinctly visible and legible from at least 100 feet.
No other numbers should be displayed on the vessel. There must be spaces or hyphens between the prefix, the number and the suffix, for example: CT-1234-AA.
Conneticut law states that any owner desiring to obtain a vessel registration number or registration decal shall apply to the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles and shall file such proof of ownership of the vessel as the commissioner may require. Upon receipt of an application in proper form and the numbering fee, the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall assign a registration number or registration decal and provide the owner with a temporary certificate of number or temporary certificate of decal. The Commissioner of Motor Vehicles shall issue two registration decals and a permanent certificate. A registration decal shall be displayed on each side of the vessel at the bow in a manner prescribed by the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection.
Nebraska Boat Registration Numbers
The Nebraska assigned registration number should be placed on each side of the front half of the vessel and reading left to right they should be the only numbers on the forward half of the vessel.
It should start with two capital letters “NB” followed by a hyphen or space and three or four digits, another hyphen or space and two more capital letters in a block style font, for example: NB 1234 AA.
Boat registration numbers should be in a contrasting color to the background as well at three inches in height.
Nebraska boating law states that except as provided in subsections and of this section and sections 37-1249 and 37-1250, every motorboat on the waters of this state shall be numbered and no person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel on such waters unless the vessel is numbered in accordance with the State Boat Act or in accordance with the laws of another state if the commission has by regulation approved the numbering system of such state and unless the certificate of number awarded to such vessel is in full force and effect and the identifying number set forth in the certificate of number is displayed and legible on each side of the forward half of the vessel.
Don’t Miss: How Much Are Boat Clubs
Alaska Boat Registration Numbers
Sec. 16.05.395. Alaska sport fishing vessel registration. A person may not use a vessel to provide sport fishing services unless the vessel is registered with the department and proof of registration is attached to and clearly visible on the vessel while the vessel is used to provide sport fishing services. The department shall register vessels used to provide sport fishing services, and provide proof of registration, without charge. The department may adopt regulations as the department finds necessary to implement this section.
Although not specified, if made similar to other states then boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat. The boat registration number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with the boat’s background color. Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: AK 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Nevada Specific Registration Laws
Please review your state specific requirements before purchasing identification decals as they do vary from state to state. Our designer is setup to comply with the general requirements above. If you require a specific requirement not in our designer, just leave a comment at checkout and we’ll adust your design . Nevada doesn’t seem to have a summarized boat law page,but there direct boat laws are pretty readable. The boat registration section isHere.
You May Like: Hsmv 82050 Instructions
Vermont Boat Registration Numbers
Vermont boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.
The boat registration numbers must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: VT 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Vermont boating law states that Except for motorboats exempt from numbering under subdivisions 3307- of this title, every motorboat on the waters of this State shall be numbered. A person shall not operate or give permission for the operation of any motorboat on such waters unless the motorboat is numbered in accordance with this subchapter, or in accordance with applicable federal law, or in accordance with a federally approved numbering system of another state.
Nevada Boat Registration Numbers
Nevada boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.
The number must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: NV 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
Nevada boating law states that the owner shall paint on or attach to each side of the bow of the motorboat the identification number in such manner as may be prescribed by regulations of the Commission in order that the number may be clearly visible. The number must be maintained in legible condition.
You May Like: How To Clean Mold Off Of Boat Seats
Where Do I Find My Boat Registration Numbers
Before you put the registration numbers on your boat, obviously, youll have to find them. These will be included with the paperwork sent to you by the state, when you first register the boat.
If youre buying a new boat from a dealership, in all likelihood, the dealer will help you wade through this paperwork right from the start. In fact, this is one of the big advantages of working with a boat dealer. Theyre familiar with the process, and generally assist with issues like titling and registration paperwork.
We love our boats because boating is such an awesome experience, but to keep it that way its important to make sure we fulfill all the legal responsibilities that go along with owning a boat. That includes getting your boat registration number placement right, so check out your local rules and regulations, apply those numbers, and then prepare yourself for the endless enjoyment of being out on the water.
North Carolina Boat Registration Numbers
North Carolina boat registration numbers should be affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. These should be the only numbers on the forward half of the boat.
The boat registration numbers must be in three inch, block style lettering. The numbers should be easily read left to right. The registration number color must contrast with its background color.
Letters must be separated from the numbers by a space or hyphen, for example: NC 1234 AA. No other numbers may be displayed on either side of the bow.
North Carolina boating law states that Every vessel on the waters of this State shall be numbered, except those vessels exempted from numbering under G.S. 75A-7. No person shall operate or give permission for the operation of any vessel on the waters of this State.
About 2018 North Carolina started sending out the registration numbers without a second hyphen. This caused a little confusion how North Carolina describes how the boat numbers should appear. In one section it says that it needs hyphens between letters and numbers and in a different section they say that it needs to appear exactly as on the registration card mailed to you. We produce the decal with both hyphens so the customer can decide to remove the second hyphen if they see fit.
Read Also: How Much Is A Pontoon Boat Worth
