Boating

Many look forward to spring and summer days to spend time on Maine’s waterways, from quiet ponds and majestic larger lakes to meandering rivers and streams. The key to an enjoyable day on the water, whether on a motor-powered boat, a canoe, kayak, or wind propelled watercraft, is to be safe and prepared. Here are a few reminders to keep you and your passengers safe:

• Always wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again.
• Stay alert and be aware of others on the water.
• Always operate your boat at a safe and reasonable speed for your surroundings.
• Remember that the law requires you to operate at "headway speed" within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands, and within a marina or an approved anchorage in coastal or inland waters. "Headway speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft.
• When participating in wakesurfing activity, you must be in at least 15 feet of water and must be more than 300 feet off the shoreline.
• Never drink and drive!
• Check the weather before leaving shore and carefully observe changing weather.
• Always wear an engine cutoff switch.
• Watch out for wildlife.
• Become familiar with the water body. Look at a map for depths and any potential hazards. Lake associations, Maine guides, and local wardens can be a great resource.
• Bring plenty of water to stay hydrated and wear a hat and sunscreen to avoid overexposure to the sun.
• Always tell someone where you are going, and when you will be back

Registration

How to Register a Boat

Boats may be registered in-person at a Recreational Vehicle Agent or renewed online if your town is part of the rapid renewal program. Click here to see if your town allows online boat registration renewals. New boat registrations must be completed in-person and require proof of sales tax.

Maine residents must register their boat and pay excise tax to the town where they reside. Non-residents or corporations must register their boat and pay excise tax to the town where the watercraft is primarily moored, docked or located.

If you register a watercraft in a town other than where you are legally required to pay your excise taxes, you must first pay your excise tax to your town. Additionally, the two towns must have an agreement in place prior to your arrival to register your watercraft and you must be able to provide a receipt for payment of excise tax.

Renew Boat Registration Online

Nonresidents

Non-Maine registered watercraft that are properly registered in another state and display a valid registration do not need to be registered in Maine, provided the watercraft is not kept in Maine for more than 60 consecutive days after a change in the state of principal use. However, these watercraft are still required by law to have a Lake and River Protection Sticker.

Registration Exceptions

All motorboats of any size, including airmobiles and personal watercraft, must be registered in Maine to be used on the waters of this State, except the following:

1. Watercraft required to have a valid marine document as a watercraft of the United States. Vessels over 5 net ton used for commercial fishing must be documented. Call the U.S. Coast Guard at 1-800-799-8362 for further information;
2. Watercraft with valid registration from another state, provided the watercraft registration number is displayed on the motorboat and the motorboat will not be in Maine over 60 consecutive days after the state of principal use has been changed;
3. Military or public watercraft, except recreational type watercraft of the United States;
4. A motorboat owned by the United States, a state, or subdivision thereof, which is used for governmental purposes and clearly identifiable as such;
5. A ship's lifeboat;
6. Motorboats from another country which are not within Maine over 60 consecutive days; and

Motorboats used exclusively for racing purposes and displaying a valid boat number issued by a recognized racing association.

Registration Fees

Watercraft registrations are issued for a specific calendar year and are valid through December 31st of the year issued.

A portion of each inland boat registration fee goes to the Lake and River protection program to help protect Maine's waters from aquatic invasive species.

Watercraft	Inland Waters	Tidal Waters
0-10 Horsepower Motor	$41	$16
11-50 Horsepower Motor	$46	$21
51-115 Horsepower Motor	$52	$27
Over 116 Horsepower Motor	$60	$35
Personal Watercraft	$60	$35

Fees above include $1.00 agent fee.
Duplicate Boat Registration - $1.00 agent fee
Duplicate Boat Registration & Sticker - $2.00
Boat Temporary Transfer - $4.00
Agents may charge a fee of $1.00 for renewals and duplicates, and $2.00 for new registrations, rollovers, or transfers.

A nonresident, prior to registering a motorboat which is located in Maine more than 75 days during a calendar year, must pay an excise tax to the Maine town where the boat is principally moored, docked or located. If the boat is exempt from tax, a tax exemption form must be completed by the owner and submitted with registration application and registration fee.

Lake and River Protection Sticker

All motorized watercraft on inland waters must display the lake and river protection sticker ("Preserve Maine Waters" sticker). The sticker is physically attached to the Maine watercraft registration and included in the registration fee. Owners of non-Maine registered boats are required to purchase and affix a Lake and River Protection sticker.

Learn More about Lake and River Protection Stickers