Does A Boat With A Trolling Motor Have To Be Registered In Michigan?

With four of the v Groovy Lakes on its doorstep, equally well as numerous rivers, Michigan tin can make for an ideal paddling location. Simply there are some prophylactic laws that you lot might want to consider earlier you load up your boat.

To assist you lot learn a little more than most Michigan kayak laws nosotros have put together this short guide.

Michigan Kayak & Boat Registration Laws - Do Kayaks Need To Be Registered In Michigan?

Without A Motor

Boats that are xvi feet or less in length and powered solely past paddles or oars do not demand to be registered in Michigan. Non-motorized kayaks and canoes of any length do not need to be registered but sailboats, on the other hand, will require registration.

Similarly, all hand powered boats longer than 16 feet will need to be registered.

Motorized

All motorized vessels need to be registered with the Michigan Department of State. This includes kayaks and canoes that take a trolling motor fastened. All registrations are valid for three years and expire on March 31st.

Motorized vessels that are 20 feet or longer also need to be titled.

Cost Of Registration

The cost of registering your boat in Michigan volition depend on your vessel'southward length and whether it's a sailboat or a motorized arts and crafts. To register a non-motorized sailboat the fee is $9.

For motorized vessels up to 12 feet (as well every bit motorized canoes or kayaks) the fee is $14. For vessels upwardly to 16 anxiety the fee is $17 and for up to 21 feet you'll pay $42.

If your boat needs to exist titled you volition pay an additional $5.

How To Register

Boat registrations are processed through the Michigan Secretary of Land. Y'all tin can submit your documents and pay the relevant fees at your local Secretarial assistant of Country function.

The documents you lot need to submit are a Bill of Auction and an Application for Michigan Watercraft Championship. You will too need to submit a sales receipt to show that yous've paid the required land taxes.

Later y'all've registered your boat you will receive the validation decals and the registration number. The numbers should be fixed to both sides of the bow of your vessel, above the waterline, in three inch high block messages. Your validation decal should also be attached to the right of your registration number, three inches from the last alphabetic character.

Michigan PFD Boating Regulations (Life Jackets/Vests)

Pivot

Michigan constabulary requires that all vessels take a Usa Declension Guard approved PFD (Personal Flotation Device) on lath for each person on board the craft. To meet the requirements, these PFDs must exist a wearable Type I, Ii or III life jacket.

For kayaks and canoes, however, the law states that the PFD on lath can be a throwable Type IV PFD instead of a wearable one but there must be one readily bachelor and attainable for each person on board the craft. This tin can too apply to small boats nether 16 feet in length.

For vessels longer than 16 feet, you will require a clothing PFD for each person also as an easily attainable throwable device.

Children

Children nether 6 are required to wear a The states Declension Baby-sit approved Blazon I or Type Ii life jacket while on the open deck of any vessel while the vessel is underway. This includes kayaks and canoes.

What About Alcohol Laws (BUI - Boating Nether The Influence)?

It is against the law in Michigan to operate a vessel while under the influence of drugs, alcohol or any substance that tin can impair your ability to safely operate a vessel.

If you are institute to take a blood alcohol level of 0.08% or above then y'all will be considered to be nether the influence.

If y'all are arrested for a BUI you are guilty of a misdemeanor. If you are convicted three times within 10 years you lot are guilty of a felony.

Other Kayak & Canoeing Laws in Michigan

Do I Need Lights On My Kayak?

Kayaks, canoes and non-motorized boats less than 26 feet are required to have a minimum of one flashlight or lantern with a white light while operating between the hours of sunset and sunrise or in periods of reduced visibility.

For motorized vessels less than 26 anxiety long you are required to brandish red and green sidelights plus an accommodating white masthead lite or stern lite. The carmine and green lights must be visible from at least a mile abroad and the stern or masthead light needs to be visible from at least two miles abroad.

What About Maritime Distress Signals?

Maritime Distress Signals are required when boating on federally controlled waters, which includes the Dandy Lakes. With Michigan having direct admission to four of the 5 Slap-up Lakes, Visual Distress Signals (VDS) volition be required if you lot gunkhole on whatsoever of these waters.

If you operate a kayak on any of the Great Lakes between sunset and sunrise then you must have night signals on board. For kayaks and canoes, this can be an electrical distress light or three handheld red flares. All vessels operating at night must accept nighttime signals but non all are required to carry mean solar day signals.

Day signals are required for motorized vessels over 16 feet and all vessels over 26 anxiety.

Sound Producing Devices

There is no legal requirement for kayakers and canoeists to carry a whistle while on state waters in Michigan. Just you are required to acquit one if paddling on the Great Lakes.

For motorized vessels between sixteen anxiety and 26 feet y'all are required to have a whistle that tin can be heard from half a mile away. For larger vessels the sound must exist heard from at least a mile away.

Minimum Historic period To Kayak

There is no minimum age requirement in Michigan to operate a kayak or other non-motorized vessel.

If you're under 12 years old you are allowed to operate a motorized vessel with a motor of half-dozen hp or less. This does non require adult supervision.

Yet, if you're under 12 and desire to operate a vessel with a motor greater than six hp y'all demand to have a canoeing safety certificate and be accompanied by a supervisor over the age of xvi. Under 12s are not allowed to operate boats with over 35 hp motors.

If you were born on or afterward July 1st 1996 yous volition also need to have a canoeing prophylactic certificate to operate a motorized vessel.

Invasive Species Prevention

In Michigan you must make sure that your vessel is complimentary of any aquatic life, including plants, before you enter any water in Michigan. You are besides not allowed to send a vessel without draining all water from bilges or live wells. You must remove all bleed plugs and never release unused allurement into the h2o after angling.

Video: New Canoeing And Fishing Laws In Michigan

Wrapping Up

Michigan tin be a great place for boaters and kayakers, simply it can be important to follow the state laws and regulations to keep yourself and others safe.

Call up, if y'all're boating on any of the Great Lakes you lot volition need to follow additional rules determined by the U.s.a. Declension Guard, including making sure you take the necessary visual distress signals on your vessel.

Exit u.s.a. a comment if you lot establish this guide helpful and share it with others to aid more people stay safe on Michigan's waters.