According to BoaterInput, there were about 12 million boats registered in the United States in 2019. Florida easily has the most of any state.

North Dakota’s watercraft registrations have been on the increase for several years but, primarily due to a lower population, ranks nowhere near the leading states in terms of total registrations.

At the end of 2019 North Dakota had 74,871 boats registered. North Dakota boater registration is for three-year periods, meaning boats that transfer ownership during that time span could account for an additional registration but not an additional watercraft. The last three-year registration period ended in 2019 with the current registration period covering 2020-23.

Also, regulations vary from state to state as to what watercraft must be registered. For instance, in Texas only watercraft 14 feet or longer need to be registered. The table listed above, therefore, should be viewed more as a generalization rather than a completely accurate accounting of boats in a given state.

Here is North Dakota’s watercraft registration requirements, renewal fees, and dates:

–Registration period is from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2022. Fees are prorated.

–Motorboats under 16 feet in length and all canoes regardless of length, powered by a motor – $18.

–Motorboats 16 feet in length and over but shorter than 20 feet in length, excluding canoes – $36.

–Motorboats 20 feet in length or over, excluding canoes – $45.