I have a 10' Porta-bote, which does not require a trailer. Instead, I can load it on top of my very small commuter car. Hey, it was the only type of boat I could get that wasn't an inflatable and without buying a new vehicle... Anyway, will I need tabs for it? I'm kind of fuzzy on what the licensing requirements are for smaller craft.

If I understand the law correctly, all boats with motors need tabs. If you just row it, you're fine.

Yup, Jacob is right. If you put a motor on it (regardless of size) you have to license it. I was going to add a motor to my cataraft. But was told if I did so would have to license it. Scratch that idea.

ive got a little 9' pram ive had for 14 years and have never registered it. i put an electric motor on it and use it in the local lakes. ive been checked for my license a couple times and no one has ever said i had to get it registered. i wouldnt bother registering your boat, since its rowable you shouldnt have a problem.

you might want to do a search in the archives for this....that horse has been beat to death. Some say you don't need tabs under 16' and 10HP, others say you do. It's in the fishing regs, I don't recall what page. It all depends on one's definition of "navigable waters".

hopefully this will help dol page

Went down to the DoL here in Federal Way to get my boat registered today, and was informed that I'd have to pay sales tax on it! I bought it at the Sportsman's Show. but I was under the impression that there wouldn't be tax as it was kind of a 'catalog order' thing. $130 for the sales taxs and tabs! I about fell over! I think I'll be taking my chances with my trolling motor, at least until June when tabs are up...

FYI. When I called the county auditors office to ask if I had to license my raft I was told that I had to call the local law enforcement agency where I planned to use my raft to see if I needed to license it. Go figure!