Steel and aluminium are two of the most common metals used for boat hulls. Steel hulls are more widely used and known for their abrasion resistance, while aluminium hulls are lighter and have increased corrosion resistance. In Kentucky, boats with non-exempt motorized boats require registration and titles, with certain exemptions for Coast Guard-documented vessels, and a 60-day visitation period for boats registered in another state.
What You'll Learn
Kentucky boat registration requirements
All mechanically powered vessels primarily used in the state of Kentucky must be registered. This applies to all motorized boats, with some exemptions. For example, boats registered in other states may be operated in Kentucky for up to 60 consecutive days without state registration. Coast Guard-documented vessels are also exempt from registration.
To register your boat in Kentucky, you must visit the respective county clerk's office, as registration transactions are administered by these offices. The records are then maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles. Outboard motors are not registered or titled separately, but they can be listed on the boat registration records.
Boat registration numbers in Kentucky begin with "KY," followed by four numbers and then two letters. These must be displayed on all non-documented boats, along with registration sticker tabs. Coast Guard-documented vessels do not need to display the state registration numbers, but they must display the state registration tabs, an owner-designated vessel name, and a hailing port. Additionally, an official documentation number must be affixed to a visible interior location in the hull or an integral part of the hull. All vessels manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12-digit hull identification number affixed by the manufacturer.
Boat registration fees are determined by the length of your boat, and these fees help fund the maintenance of state waterways. It is important to note that personal property taxes are assessed on boats in Kentucky.
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Coast Guard-documented vessels
In Kentucky, vessels documented with the US Coast Guard are exempt from registration. This means that larger recreational vessels documented with the US Coast Guard do not need to display a Kentucky registration number or decals.
To be eligible for US Coast Guard documentation, recreational vessels must be wholly owned by a US citizen and measure a minimum of five net tons. Vessels greater than 27 feet are likely to meet the five net ton minimum requirement. The process of registering a boat with the US Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center is known as vessel documentation. This occurs at the federal level, unlike state titling.
A US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation establishes the ownership and nationality of a vessel. Recreational vessels over five net tons have the option to document their vessel with the US Coast Guard and obtain a Certificate of Documentation. There are several benefits to doing so. Firstly, if you plan to use your boat in international waters, a Certificate of Documentation is internationally recognized and makes it much easier for an American vessel to enter and leave foreign ports. Secondly, if you do not want to display state registration numbers for aesthetic reasons, a documented vessel does not need to display these. Instead, they visibly display their name and hailing port, and are subject to Coast Guard lettering requirements. Finally, some lenders may require vessel documentation if you are financing your boat. This is because documented vessels qualify for preferred mortgages, and the Coast Guard cannot make changes in documentation (e.g. change of ownership) without the lender's consent.
The cost of an initial Certificate of Documentation is $133. To document a vessel with the US Coast Guard, boat owners must generally submit an application for documentation, proof of ownership, and an application for simplified measurement if the vessel has not been previously documented. This can be done directly through the Coast Guard's National Vessel Documentation Center.
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Kentucky boat titling
To operate any mechanically powered vessel on Kentucky waters, it must be registered and display valid registration decals. This applies to all boats except non-motorized vessels such as canoes, kayaks, and rowboats. Registrations are valid for one year and expire on April 30.
To register a boat in Kentucky, you must go to the County Clerk's office. Once a vessel is registered, the owner will receive a Certificate of Registration that must be kept on board and be available for inspection by law enforcement whenever the vessel is in operation.
The registration number must be displayed as follows:
- Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the bow
- Using BLOCK letters at least three inches high and of one solid colour that contrasts with the boat's colour
- To be read from left to right, with letters and numbers separated by a space or hyphen
- No other numbers may be displayed
Additionally, all vessels that require registration must display registration decals. These must be displayed on both sides of the boat, within six inches towards the stern of the registration number, and in line with it. Only current decals should be displayed.
In Kentucky, a title is a legal document that establishes a person or business as the legal owner of a vessel. All vessels that require registration must also be titled, except those federally documented by the Coast Guard. When a boat is sold from one Kentucky resident or business to another, the title must be transferred to the new owner within 15 days.
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Registration exemptions
In Kentucky, boat registration and titling are administered by the respective county clerk offices, with records maintained by the Division of Motor Vehicles. While all non-exempt boats in the state must be registered, there are some exemptions to this rule.
Coast Guard-documented vessels are exempt from registration in Kentucky. Additionally, a 60-day visitation period is allowed for boats that are Coast Guard-documented, foreign-titled, or registered in another state. During this period, these boats are permitted to operate in Kentucky waters without registering with the state.
Kentucky also does not require separate registration or titling for boat trailers, although it is optional. Outboard motors are also not registered or titled separately, but they can be listed on the boat's registration records.
It is important to note that while registration may be exempt in certain cases, marking requirements must still be met. All non-documented boats in Kentucky must display registration number and sticker tabs. Coast Guard-documented vessels are not required to display the state registration numbers, but they must exhibit the registration tabs, an owner-designated vessel name, and a hailing port.
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Marking requirements
To operate any mechanically powered vessel on the waters of Kentucky, it must be registered and display valid registration decals. The registration is valid for one year and expires on April 30. Once a vessel is registered, the owner will receive a Certificate of Registration that must be kept on board and available for inspection by a law enforcement officer whenever the vessel is in use.
All vessels that require registration must display their registration number and decals as follows:
- Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the bow.
- Using BLOCK letters at least three inches high and in one solid colour that contrasts sharply with the colour of the boat.
- To be read from left to right; letters and numbers must be separated by a space or a hyphen, for example, KY 1234 AB or KY-1234-AB. No other numbers may be displayed.
- Displayed on both sides of the boat within six inches aft of (towards the stern) and in line with the registration number.
- Only current decals should be displayed.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, steel hull boats are allowed in Kentucky.
All motorized boats in Kentucky, including steel hull boats, must be registered with the State of Kentucky Division of Motor Vehicles. The registration requirements exempt Coast Guard-documented vessels and allow for a 60-day visitation period for boats that are Coast Guard-documented, foreign-titled, or registered in another state.
Steel hull boats in Kentucky must display the boat registration number, which begins with "KY" followed by four numbers and then two letters. Additionally, registration sticker tabs must be displayed, and an official documentation number must be affixed to a visible interior location in the hull.
No specific weight requirements are mentioned for steel hull boats in Kentucky. However, weight distribution and stability are important factors in boat design and safety.
Steel hull boats offer better abrasion resistance compared to other materials, including aluminium. Steel is tougher and more widely used, making it easier to find equipped metalworkers for repairs and installations.