How to register a kayak for an electric motor

Registration of a kayak for motorization is no different than registering a power boat. You will need a Bill of Sale (preferably with the boats Hull ID# printed on it) and the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin when you go to your states boat registration and titling agency. If you have purchased a used boat, these requirements still apply, so hopefully the previous owner saved that Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin. If not, try contacting the Manufacturer’s Customer Service and ask for a duplicate. Used boat bill of sale documents may need to be notarized. Above all else, research your state agency’s requirements for boat registration BEFORE you drive to a service center to register your soon to be motorized kayak. It will save you some trouble!

[@ironkayaker5682]

That’s amazing that in the us you actually need that and there is someone enforcing it 👏👏👏

[@TheLittleStuff]

Bureaucracy at work. Maryland DNR is fair, and that one service center is top notch. I’ve heard some rough stories about other states. It short circuits some government employees to try and comprehend a motor on a kayak and they immediately go to “NO”.

[@jayollom2281]

Excellent info! In MD you can also usually fly without the certificate/statement of origin on USED paddle craft IF you use their preferred bill of sale template (MD DNR B118). There is a provided space for "Reason why vessel was not previously numbered or documented:" where you can ask the seller to simply fill in something like "Manually powered boats in MD do not required it and this boat was never motorized to date." with of course the required signatures and have it notarized. Always having MORE proof and paperwork is better and easier than missing anything though.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Thanks for filling in more detailed information!

[@georgefitzhugh6455]

Good news! I was able to register my PA today so now I will start the work of adding the Torqeedo 1103. Thanks for all the help. Tight Lines!

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s great news George! Enjoy it!

[@nicolascruz4009]

Just registered my kayaks 2 days ago. DNR says : if the kayak is used,and older than 3 years You don't need the MCO and only the bill of sale without being notarized. 2 pictures of the kayak, one for the vessel and one for the hull identification number. And that's it . In the other hand if your kayak is less than 3 yrs old, and used. You will need the bill of sale to be notarized. And if it's brand new ..you will need receipt of the purchase, the MCO, picture of the kayak and serial number and the fees. It's very simple

[@TheLittleStuff]

Each state is a little different.

[@manny4491]

Great Info! You have to be careful you don't end up having to pay sales tax twice if you buy the yak out of the state you are registering it!

[@TheLittleStuff]

That would stink! I know that Delaware Paddlesports capitalized on not having sales tax. They are a regionally dominant shop.

[@getbentadventures8038]

I brought my kayak from DPS I’m sure I’ll be taxed once I register my kayak sometime later this summer being that I’ve installed a bow mount trolling motor to my yak. I have yet to take my boaters safety course and exam. Actually, I have yet to even get out on the yak this season.

[@manny4491]

@@getbentadventures8038 I know 3 people who were burned with Kayak and 4ATV! All were purchased in Mississippi and had to pay sales tax again in Louisiana!

[@Mike-ew9zn]

I learned never to buy anything without proper paperwork the hard way! Kayaks are a pain in the ass if you don’t have the original complete paperwork in Florida!!!

[@FlordMayo]

I just bought an Intex excursion 5 with a Minnkota trolling motor; I purchased it online and I have the receipt, which are the numbers that I need to get a register? I read the instructions that come with the boat but I don’t get it, is it the model number that is used to get it registered?

[@Noneya-z8j]

In Tennessee they don’t title boats. If you buy new you just need proof of tax paid and the dealers tax ID number. If you buy used you need a bill of sale, that’s it. MSO isn’t needed to register. It’s a very easy process here.

[@TheLittleStuff]

That's awesome! Sounds like a lot of common sense. I know that many of the regulations and requirements that Maryland has are in place to protect people against successful theft and retitlement of a stolen boat. Whenever I run into a rough regulation, I tend to think backwards to "What incident led to this being a rule?" There's always a story. Hopefully there isn't overreach that punishes people doing things the right way.

[@shawnnoname9291]

Bought mine new in 2021 been trying in KY ever since. Each time I need something different than the last.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yep. They don’t know what to make of a motor on a kayak. Seems like each state is different, and yes, each time you try to do it within the same state can end up with a different set of “required documents”. Frustrating for sure.

[@shawnnoname9291]

@The Little Stuff I explained to do it like a jon boat. Wife is actually there now with letter from Frankfort (capital here main office) telling them what to do. I hope. I tore a muscle in arm and cannot paddle much

[@StreetSouljaz1]

I'm in KY and I need to get a dealer number not sure where that is located on this MSO of it's even on there. Told the lady I ordered the kayak from Amazon it's manufactured from Pelican.

[@shawnnoname9291]

@StreetSouljaz1 you need the certificate of origin. If amazon didn't send it you'll need to contact pelican. It's easy to get. And the receipt from amazon. Depending on where you live on how easy this will be. Frankfort area is easiest cause they know the law. Most rural areas do this alot for jon boats so should be simple. But places that don't don't regularly it's will be painful. Might have to pay a local yak dealer to help you .

[@moemartin6652]

I was wondering if I need a boating license to put trolling motor on my kayak

[@TheLittleStuff]

I got my boating certificate when I started putting electric motors on kayaks years ago. Not sure if there is a regulation on this. I just thought that it was a good idea.

[@workmanzachary6112]

Good afternoon, got a quick question for you. I have a sit in 10ft kayak, in the process of deciding what motor set up to go with. Don't really do much fishing. But me and my wife go on 1 to 2 overnight trips down our local rivers. In your opinion which would serve us better the Toquodo or the bixby. I'm just looking to use the Motor for straight aways or when I get tired. We pull an inflatable boat or paddle board to pull or gear such as, tent , chairs supplies etc. Really would appreciate your opinion on this as I know you've been putting motors on kayaks for a while .thanks in advance

[@TheLittleStuff]

Zachary, the Bixpy is a good brushless motor with an integrated lithium battery, but can not compare with the power of the Torqeedo Ultralight, especially the 1103. All that torque should help you tow all that stuff! 😁

[@zoommaster7253]

Another great information video

[@StreetSouljaz1]

My clerk office paperwork ask for a dealer number. I got the MSO from pelican international. I do not know where to locate the desler number.

[@TheLittleStuff]

Give them the phone number of the dealer where you bought it. 🤷

[@neneheavy8295]

So if I get a normal non electric non motorized kayak… just a regular paddle kayaking boat… I don’t have to register it?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Yep.

[@neneheavy8295]

@@TheLittleStuff thank you!! Is there anything u need for a regular paddle kayak?

[@killswitch7775]

I live in Pennsylvania and I cant put a trolling motor on my old kayak...

[@zoommaster7253]

Jeff you fish in different states do you have to register in all states that require that ? I fish Ct no motor but if I fish up my PA I have to register it. Crazy.

[@TheLittleStuff]

I only registered it in my home state.

[@SonSon0710]

Do you need license to do the registration.

[@TheLittleStuff]

A fishing license or drivers license. I’ve never been asked for either one in the process.

[@jayveecapati6432]

can it be done by online?

[@TheLittleStuff]

Not in Maryland. They need to keep the Manufacturers Certificate of Origin. You get a title, they keep that document.

[@edgars00789]

Do I need to register my inflatable fishing kayak if I'm putting a bixpy k-1 motor

[@TheLittleStuff]

You do in Maryland.

[@edgars00789]

@@TheLittleStuff I'm selling a Bixpy j-2 motor brand new in the box for 1,100 dollars only with battery and controller included all for 1,100 please let me know

[@chrissmith5911]

I have been trying to register mine in the state of ga. I bought it new from bass pro and have a mso but only got a receipt from them the state won’t take either

[@TheLittleStuff]

Sorry to hear that Chris. Are there different offices you can try? I’ve found that most states are confused by people registering kayaks to put motors on. They don’t have a solid, consistent policy on it, and sometimes it just takes a different employee to say, “I guess we can do it this way” instead of simply “No”.

[@georgefitzhugh6455]

Hey guys, I live in Michigan and I tried to register my Hobie PA so I could a electric motor on my kayak. I went to Secretary of State and was told I needed an MSO certificate. I didn’t receive MSO paperwork from dealer so I reached to the dealer not realizing they went out of business 3 month before and were nowhere to be found. I thought ok I’ll reach out to Hobie maybe they could help me out. Well, they told me they don’t supply the MSO certificate only dealers supplies that information and if I didn’t get MSO certificate from the dealer/seller it was nothing they could do. Dealer out of business and manufacture says they couldn’t help me, basically I was up the creek without a peddle. So make sure you ask and get your paperwork when you close the deal on your kayak. I sold the PA and bought a new demo kayak (used under 5 times) and I did get the MSO statement. I plan to register my kayak in a few days. This was a very helpful video in helping me get pointed in the right direction. Thanks

[@TheLittleStuff]

That’s rough that you had to start over with a new boat to get it done. Glad you persevered.

[@dmitriyshevcov4428]

I bought an inflatable boat on Aliexpress. But the seller did not give me an identification number. And I cannot register it. What should I do?

[@marcusallison2667]

You need a state assigned HIN as it's a homemade boat.

[@alanpeltzer7606]

Timely. I just registered my Bonafide in MD today. Belair service center. Easy process, MSO, original receipt, and photo of the serial number got the job done. Had to pay taxes since the boat was purchased in DE. Has to be original documentation as they would have rejected copies. Also the receipt requires a signature from the dealer.