How Much Does It Cost to Register a Boat in Ohio?
In Ohio, boat registration is handled by the Ohio DNR Division of Parks & Watercraft and renews every 3 years. The fee is based on boat length — from $33 for the smallest class up to $93 for the largest per cycle. Unpowered craft such as kayaks, canoes, and sailboats must also register. 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 | $11.00 | $15.00 |
| 20-ft motorboat | $16.00 | $15.00 |
| 28-ft motorboat | $21.00 | $15.00 |
| Kayak/canoe (no motor) | $11.00/yr — registration required | |
- Hand-powered canoes/kayaks register for about $20 per 3 years ($25 for the unnumbered alternative registration); sail-only vessels add $5.
- Boats 14 ft+ or 10+ hp must be titled. HB 96 leaves watercraft fees unchanged through at least 2027.
Estimate your exact Ohio cost
Your boat
Registration due now
$48.00
Covers 3 years — averages $16.00 per year.
Each renewal (3 years)
- Registration fee (by length)$48 per 3-year cycle$48.00
One-time fees (first registration)
- Title fee$15.00
One-time total: $15.00
Estimate only — actual fees are set by your state and county at the time of registration. Data last reviewed 2026-07-16. This state's full local formula is not yet implemented; see the notes below the calculator.
All figures computed from official fee schedules — sources: https://www.bmv.ohio.gov/doc-fees.aspx — last reviewed 2026-07-16.