How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Maine?
Registering a boat in Maine costs a flat $46 per year. It's handled by the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (town agents) and renews annually. Non-motorized craft like kayaks and canoes are generally exempt (check local rules for sailboats). Boats with motors — including trolling motors on otherwise unpowered craft — almost always require registration.
Cost by boat size
| Boat | Per year | One-time (title etc.) |
|---|---|---|
| 14-ft motorboat | $46.00 | — |
| 20-ft motorboat | $46.00 | — |
| 28-ft motorboat | $46.00 | — |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | Free — exempt from registration | |
- Maine prices by HORSEPOWER, not length: 0–10 hp $41, 11–50 hp $46, 51–115 hp $52, over 115 hp and PWCs $60 (inland waters, including the $25 Lake & River Protection sticker). Mid-range shown.
- Maine does not title boats.
Maine: common questions
Do I have to register a kayak or canoe in Maine?
Generally no — unpowered craft are exempt in Maine. But the moment you mount any motor, including an electric trolling motor, registration is required.
How often do I renew a boat registration in Maine?
Annually.
Do I have to register my boat trailer separately in Maine?
Yes — in Maine the boat and the trailer are two separate registrations. The boat's fee is above; the trailer registers as a utility trailer with the motor-vehicle agency, priced by the trailer's weight (often a low flat fee or a one-time permanent plate). See our Maine trailer registration calculator for that cost.
Do I need a title for my boat in Maine?
No — Maine does not title boats. Your Certificate of Number (the registration) serves as the ownership record, so there's no separate title fee.
Do I have to register a jet ski or PWC in Maine?
Yes — personal watercraft (jet skis, Sea-Doos, WaveRunners) are motorized vessels, so they register just like boats in Maine, usually in the smallest length class. The same Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (town agents) handles them, and the same fee schedule applies.
Where do I register a boat in Maine?
Boat registration in Maine is handled by the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife (town agents). You can generally register in person, by mail, or online, and you'll need proof of ownership (a bill of sale or title) plus the fee shown above. Renew every year before your decal expires.
Estimate your exact Maine cost
Your boat
- Registration fee$46.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.maine.gov/sos/bmv/vehicles/registration-fees · https://www.maine.gov/revenue/taxes/property-tax/excise-tax — last reviewed 2026-07-16.