I just Bought A Boat... Now what?
This brochure highlights boat titling and registration requirements in Oregon. For coverage of other Oregon boating laws, please consult the Oregon Boater s Handbook And Regulations. The Marine Board is the state agency responsible for the titling and registration of recreational boats, development and maintenance of public boating facilities, and for safety and law enforcement on the water. As part of its effort to promote boating safety, the Marine Board has a variety of publications available covering everything from coastal boating to boat facility locations. For more publication information, write to: Publications List, State Marine Board, P.O. Box 14145, Salem, OR 97309-5065. For any additional information or s: Call the Marine Board at (503) 378-8587. For TTD, press space bar, then extension 222. Visit our web site at: http://www.osmb.state.or.us or send an e-mail to: marine.board@state.or.us Which Boats Must Be Registered All motorboats must be titled and registered in Oregon regardless of their size, construction, or type and size of motor. This includes, for example, inflatable rafts with motors and personal watercraft such as Jet Skis. Sailboats 12 feet and longer also must be titled and registered. The Oregon State Marine Board is Oregon s Boating Agency... Dedicated to Safety, Education and Access in an Enhanced Environment.
Documents You can obtain applications for title and registration by: Printing from our website: http://www.osmb.state.or.us Writing or calling the Marine Board 435 Commercial St NE, #400, Salem (503) 378-8587. Contacting any of the agents listed in the last section of this book. Many boat dealers statewide are also agents who can issue you a temporary permit when you apply for title and registration for a small fee. The temporary permit allows you to use your boat while your application is being processed and is valid for 60 days. You must carry your temporary permit on board while boating until you receive your Certificate of Number (registration card). If you bought your boat from a private party, you can apply for title and registration with one of the agents and receive a temporary permit or mail a completed Application for Boat Title with fees to the Marine Board. In Salem our office hours are Monday through Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm. For more detailed information, please refer to the Questions and Answers section. Once the Application for Boat Title has been completed by the Marine Board, the boat owner will receive a Certificate of Title (title) and Certificate of Number (registration card) and if applicable, registration decals. New boats will be assigned an OR# and issued registration decals. REGISTRATION The Certificate of Number (registration card) and decals are issued on a two-year calendar year basis. The expiration date is December 31 of the year indicated. Renewal notices are mailed to boaters in November of the year their decals expire. You may renew in any of the following ways: Online at www.boatoregon.com By mail, enclosing the required fees and your OR#, renewal notice or expired Certificate of Number (registration card) to the Marine Board. At one of the statewide agents, submitting your renewal notice, expired Certificate of Number (registration card), Marine Board database printout or showing your Certificate of Title and paying the fees. Renewing early is to your advantage in receiving your Certificate of Number (registration card) and decals before the boating season starts.
Registration Fees Fees support boating programs such as marine law enforcement, education and safety programs, and facilities. Following is a fee schedule for certificate of number (valid for two years) and boat title. Certificate of Number (registration) Registration is $3 per foot (*rounded up) for the following: Sailboats 12 feet and longer All motorized boats Applies to all boats in use (in the water). *Ex. 17 ft. 3 in. = 18 ft. (times $3/ft.) = $54 Certificate of Title Lost title no change of owner $15 Lost title with change of owner $30 New boat title or title transfer $30 Duplicate Certificate of Number and/ or Decal $10 When the ownership of a boat changes, documents for title transfers must be received by the board or an agent within 30 days of the date of purchase indicated by the date of release by the previous owners. Title transfer requests received after the 30-day period are assessed a $25 late penalty fee. Questions & Answers I just bought a boat. What do I do? If the boat is new, you need to complete an Application for Boat Title and furnish the original Manufacturer s Statement of Origin (MSO). Submit the application, MSO and required fees to the Marine Board or a registration agent. If you buy a used boat from a private party, and the boat was previously titled and registered in Oregon, you should receive an Oregon Certificate of Title from the seller. The legal and registered owners must release their interest in the boat by signing and dating the back of the title. Submit the signed title to the Marine Board with the required fees. If the boat was previously registered in a state that doesn t issue titles, submit an Application for Boat Title, the bill of sale and the previous owner s registration card to the board. If the boat you purchased comes from a state that issues titles, submit the signed title, a completed Application for Boat Title and the required transfer fees. Don t forget to find out if you need your Mandatory Boater Education Card! (See next page.)
Do I need a license to drive my boat? While not technically a license, powerboat operators are required to carry a Mandatory Boater Education Card when operating boats greater than 10 hp. The card shows you have taken and passed a boating safety test. Unlike a license, the card never needs to be renewed and cannot be taken away. The education program is being phased in over a seven year period. Youth 12-15 also need a boater education card when operating boats 0-10 hp alone. When operating boats greater than 10 hp, youth must be supervised by a cardholding adult age 16 or older. Please check the website for complete information and details. www.boatoregon.com Does my boat need to be inspected first? Some boats in Oregon are required to be inspected by a marine law enforcement officer before they can be titled and registered. These include all homemade boats and all boats never titled or registered in Oregon or any other state. Excluded are newly manufactured boats with an MSO of boats titled in another state if the title accompanies the application for Oregon title. If documentation submitted shows an incorrect hull number, the boat will require a HIN inspection. The inspection focuses on the hull identification number (HIN). The Marine Board determines whether your boat needs to be inspected upon receiving your Application for Boat Title. If so, the board will notify you and will provide a list of locations to take your boat for inspection. After the HIN inspection is completed, you will receive a HIN Inspection Certificate. You must return the certificate directly to the Marine Board.
How do I display my decal and numbers? The registration number assigned by the board must be obtained by the owner and attached to or painted on each side of the forward half of the boat (usually on the bow), and above the waterline. On a flared bow the number should be placed on some part of the forward half of the vessel where it can easily be read. Registration numbers and letters must be in a color that will contrast with the hull. They must be plain (not script) and vertical (not slanted). No other numbers or letters can be displayed nearby if they will interfere with the identification of the vessel by its state number. The registration decals, renewed every two years, must be placed on each side of the vessel, 3 inches aft (toward the stern) of, and directly in line with the registration number. Only the current decals should be displayed. The same requirements apply to personal watercraft (PWC). Place your numbers on the most vertical surface above the PWC s bumper line for legal visibility. This diagram details the required spacing and placement of boat registration decals and number. I lost my title. How do I get another? Complete an Application for Lost Boat Title and submit it to the board with the required fees. All persons listed on the front of the title, including lienholders, must sign that the title is lost. These signatures must be notarized. Can the Marine Board license my trailer? No. Oregon law requires a 2-year trailer license when the gross weight of the trailer, boat and motor exceeds 1,800 pounds. You can obtain your trailer license from the Motor Vehicles Division (DMV).
Do I have to go to Salem to register my boat? No. The Marine Board has formed partnerships with many boat dealerships and sporting goods stores that provide exceptional customer service to boaters by serving as registration agents. There are nearly 130 businesses statewide who accept applications and fees. Locate the agent closest to you and take your documentation and fees to them. They will provide a temporary permit to operate your boat. The agent will charge you up to $2 for this service. The Marine Board s web site also features a fee schedule and a current list of local agents. I ve had my boat for a number of years and never titled it. How can I obtain one now? To title your boat, complete an Application for Boat Title. You ll also be required to furnish proof of ownership. If you have the bill of sale or the Manufacturer s Statement of Origin (MSO), send it to the board or an agent with a statement explaining why the boat has not been titled or registered. If you no longer have a bill of sale or MSO, send a completed Boat History Form. Forms are available from agents or our website. Include how the boat was acquired, how long you have owned the boat and whether it has previously been registered or titled in any state. This is the certificate of number card that must be carried on board when boating.
The HIN should be affixed to the upper righthand corner of the transom (back-end). What is the difference between the boat registration number and the hull identification number (HIN)? The registration number is similar to a car s license plate number and is issued upon initial titling. The HIN is similar to a car s vehicle identification number and identifies the manufacturer, serial number and date of certification (construction). Certain U.S. Coast Guard safety standards are required to be built into a boat based on date of certification. All boats manufactured after November 1, 1972, must have the HIN permanently displayed on the upper right-hand corner of the boat s transom (back end) and affixed in accordance with Coast Guard regulations before being sold in Oregon. Both the HIN and registration numbers must be on the boat. They serve as a deterrent to theft and the Marine Board uses them to help locate stolen or missing boats. The HIN on the boat must match the numbers on the title and registration. Altered, improper or missing HINs may be cause for seizure by marine enforcement officers. Let the Marine Board know if you suspect a problem with the HIN on your boat. I just bought a boat that has numbers, but the seller didn t have the title. What do I do? Contact the Marine Board to obtain the name and last known address of the owner of record. Complete an Application for Lost Boat Title and have all owners of record certify, by notarized signature, that the title is lost and release their interest.
Bonded Boat Registration Agents The agents list, current as of July 30, 2003, is subject to change without notice. An updated list is featured on the board s website at: www.boatoregon.com ALBANY 2000 SE 14th Ave (541) 967-3260 ASTORIA Englund Marine Supply 101 15th St (503) 325-4341 AURORA The Boatworks II 26177 NE Boones Ferry Rd (503) 678-3000 BAKER CITY Baker County Sheriff 3410 K Street (541) 523-6415 Baker Valley Marine 3395 10th St (541) 523-0014 Eagle Cap N Sports 2450 Cherry St (541) 523-3718 BEAVERTON Active Water Sports 12050 SW Canyon Rd (503) 643-5018 Beaverton Honda-Yamaha 4330 SW 142nd Ave (503) 643-2987. 3485 SW Cedar Hills Blvd (503) 644-9936 BEND All Seasons RV Center 63195 Jamison St (541) 382-5009 Bend Recreation 63500 N Hwy 97 (541) 382-5731 Cascade Golf Cars 2045 NE Hwy 20 (541) 388-0770 Central Oregon Workensport 1310 SE Reed Market Rd (541) 382-0860 63455 Hwy 97 N (541) 388-3770 Moonlight Marine 60951 S Hwy 97 (541) 388-2523 Central Lakes Marine 61076 Highway 140 E (541) 385-7791 BORING Mt Hood Polaris 27850 SW Hwy 212 (503) 663-3544 BROOKINGS Lorings Lighthouse 554 Chetco Ave (541) 469-2148 CANYONVILLE Canyonville Hardware 234 SW Main (541) 839-4391 CENTRAL POINT Fish Rite Inc 1419 Justice Road (541) 776-0621 Medford Powersports 6006 Crater Lake Ave (541) 826-0148 CLACKAMAS Duckworth Magnum Marine 11901 SW Hwy 212 (503) 657-0545 CONDON Gilliam County Sheriff 221 S Oregon (541) 384-2851 COOS BAY Coos Bay Marina Inc 1201 Ocean Blvd (541) 888-2535 Y Marina Inc 1307 Newmark (541) 888-5501 CORVALLIS Fred s Honda 1925 SE Third Street (541) 757-1034 Southside Marine 2660 SW 3rd (541) 753-4241 CULVER Culver Marine 9066 SW Feather Dr (541) 546-3354 ENTERPRISE Wallowa County Sheriff 101 S River Rd, Rm 101 (541) 426-3131 EUGENE Clemens Marina Inc 309 River Ave (541) 688-5483 Cycle Sports 555 River Road (541) 607-9000 1030 Greenacres Rd (541) 343-1666 Mel s Marine Service 5520 Barger Dr (541) 689-0136 Skookum Marine 29772 Clear Lake Rd (541) 688-1900 Staff Jennings Inc 2100 Centennial (541) 485-2555 Valley Boat Works 1270 Interior St (541) 349-1579 FAIRVIEW Action Motorsports 22455 NE Halsey (503) 669-2000 FLORENCE The Sportsman 249 Hwy 101 (541) 997-3336 GARIBALDI Greg s Marine Service 409 E Garibaldi Ave (503) 322-3643 GLADSTONE Northwest Ski & Wakesports 17885 SE 82nd Dr (503) 655-6200
Bonded Boat Registration Agents. 1799 SW Boones Ferry Rd (503) 635-1064 LAKESIDE Lakeside Marina 325 S 8th (541) 759-3312 LAPINE Lapine Building Supply 51615 Huntington (541) 536-2161 MILWAUKIE 15600 SE McLoughlin Blvd (503) 653-5616 Stevens Marine 18023 SE Addie St (503) 652-1444 MYRTLE CREEK Hall s Mercantile 225 First (541) 863-3773 GOLD BEACH Rogue Outdoor Store 29865 Ellensburg (541) 247-7142 GRANTS PASS Rogue River Boat Shop 1815 SW Bridge Street (541) 479-1504 U-Save Discount 935 Rogue River Hwy (541) 476-9871 HILLSBORO. 7280 NW Butler Rd (503) 846-1514 Hillsboro Motorcycles Inc 809 NE 28th Ave (503) 648-4555 HOOD RIVER Mid-Columbia Marina Port Marina Park (541) 386-2477 LaPine Sports&Coins 51636 Huntington Rd #3 (541) 536-7848 LINCOLN CITY Siletz Moorage 82 Siletz Hwy (503) 996-3671 MADRAS Madras Marine 1810 SW Hwy 97 (541) 475-2476 NYSSA Steve s Do-It Best Hardware 119 Main St. (541) 372-3545 OREGON CITY Action Motorsports 1301 Main Street (503) 657-4654 Oregon City Marina 18649 S Hwy 99E (503) 656-4276 GRESHAM Beaver Marine Services 710 NE Cleveland Ste 110 (503) 661-1177. 700 NW Eastman Pkwy (503) 667-3126 Gresham Mt Hood Honda 540 NE Second Street (503) 667-5019 HEPPNER Morrow County Sheriff 325 Willow View Dr (541) 676-9061 HERMISTON High Desert Marine Hwy 395 & Bensel Rd (541) 567-8419 HUBBARD American Marine Svc Inc 3187 G Street (503) 981-4011 KLAMATH FALLS American Marine 2345 Wiard Street (541) 884-6858 Pelican Marine 928 Front Street (541) 882-5834 LAGRANDE Alpine Archery 221 Fir Street (541) 963-4671 LAKE OSWEGO Gary s Small Engine 18909 SW 65th (503) 639-3474 MEDFORD Blackbird Shopping Ctr 1810 West Main (541) 779-5435 2370 Poplar Dr (541) 772-9779 Kawasaki of Medford 3835 Crater Lake Hwy (541) 772-5550 Water World of Medford 5731 Crater Lake Hwy (541) 826-5535 MILTON-FREEWATER B&L Marine & RV Center 85348 Hwy 11 (541) 938-6560 Boat Yard 85514 Hwy 11 (541) 938-6634 Sportcraft Marina 1701 Clackamette Dr (503) 656-6484 PORTLAND Brinsfield Boat Basin 525 SE Tacoma (503) 239-5499 Cascade Marine Center 14900 SE Stark St (503) 255-8487 DC Roush Marine 429 N Bridgton Rd (503) 283-8855 1140 N Hayden Meadows (503) 283-0318 3900 SE 82nd Ave (503) 777-4526
Hayden Island Yacht Center 50&250 NE Tomahawk Is Dr (503) 289-4007 M Marine 2711 N Hayden Is Dr (503) 939-7376 Marineland 1441 N Marine Dr (503) 286-8221 Marine Title Northwest 260 NE Tomahawk Isl Dr (503) 735-0121 Northwest Boat Center 719 N Marine Dr (503) 289-9338 Oregon Yacht Sales 865 NE Tomahawk Is Rd #103 (503) 285-5586 Portland Ski Boat Center 6719 SW Macadam Ave (503) 892-9965 Sailboats of Oregon 152 NE Tomahawk Is Dr (503) 289-1436 Siegler s Marine 11521 NE Sandy Blvd (503) 252-5431 SK Northwest Inc 1447 NE Sandy Blvd (503)238-2510 Skyline Water Sports 7524 SW Macadam # E (503) 246-9253 Staff Jennings Inc 8240 SW Macadam (503) 244-7505 Bonded Boat Registration Agents Sundance Marine 570 NE Tomahawk Dr (503) 283-3216 Trident Marine 2900 Marine Dr (503) 288-5003 Trudeau s Sea Ray 1130 N Jantzen Dr (503) 240-1996 PRINEVILLE Rimrock Marine 1145 S Main (541) 447-6990 REDMOND Steve Dorn Recreation Sales 3000 S Hwy 97 (541) 923-2027 REEDSPORT Reedsport Outdoor Store 2049 Winchester Ave (541) 271-2311 ROSEBURG North River Jet Boats 7800 Hwy 99 N (541) 673-3286 SALEM Allen Marine Center 4935 Commercial St NE (503) 399-1161 Cycle Country Inc 1230 Broadway St NE (503) 378-0532 Cycle Sports 5103 Portland Rd NE (503) 390-9000. 275 Lancaster Dr NE (503) 364-3366Salem Watersports 2505 Commercial St SE (503) 581-2411 SCAPPOOSE Channel Marine Services Inc 27400 NW Saint Helens Rd (503) 543-2377 Brown s Landing 50565 Brown s Landing Ct (503) 543-6526 SHERWOOD - 220 16685 SW 12th St (503) 925-8102 SOUTH BEACH Newport Marine & RV Svc 4354 S Coast Hwy (541) 867-3704 STAYTON Stayton Motors 11361 Mill Creek Rd (503) 769-6666 SUBLIMITY Power Yamaha 345 SW Sublimity Blvd (503) 769-8888 SUTHERLIN City Sporting Goods 1003 W Central (541) 459-9295 SWEET HOME Sweet Home RV Center 4691 Hwy 20 (541) 367-4293 THE DALLES Braggables 616 E 3rd (541) 296-8434 TIGARD Beaverton Honda- Yamaha 10380 SW Cascade (503) 684-6600 Stevens Marine 9180 SW Burnham Rd (503) 620-7023 TILLAMOOK Tillamook SPorting Goods 2207 Main Ave N - Suite B (503) 842-4334VALE Malheur County Sheriff s Office 151 B Street West (541) 473-5162 VENETA Diamond Back Boats 25651 Jeans Rd (541) 935-1242 WHITE CITY River Marine Sales&Service 7230 Crater Lake Hwy (541) 830-5151
Boat Safe. Boat Sober. And Remember A life jacket can save your life...... if you wear it! Printed on Recycled Paper 250-405-10-03