I have been trying to find the definition of non federal waters in Washington and could not get a clear answer. Are federal waters the same as navigable waters? Was only looking into this to see if i need to put wn numbers on my drift boat if i run a kicker. I know the law states "To navigate, operate, employ, or moor your vessel in Washington, you must have a Washington title, registration card, and registration decals, except:
•If your vessel is a canoe, kayak, or a vessel not propelled by a motor or sail
•If your vessel is less than 16 feet in length and has a motor of 10 horsepower or less and is used on non-federal waters only
•If your vessel is properly registered by a resident of another state or country who uses Washington waters for 60 days or fewer"

But what are non federal waters????? And do i need to get wn numbers for my drift boat if i run a kicker?

yes, you do, even an electric motor on a boat would need to be licensed..

federal waters here include

Puget Sound

Lake Washington

Hood Canal

Lake Union

Sammamish

Columbia River

Snake River

Yakima River

Pend Orielle

Capitol Lake

and a few others i cant remember, i think American may be Federal too, but not sure..

i think its everything affected by tide, is Federal Waters, and you need to be licensed if you are using any method of propulsion, and i think sails are part of that, but not 100% on that...

i would contact the USCG for further clarification of what bodies of water are classified as Federal in this state, because i know i missed a few..

Navigable waters

http://www.nws.usace.army.mil/Portals/27...in_WA_State.pdf

Here is another list.

http://www.uscg.mil/d13/docs/CG_Navigable_Waterways.pdf

Just go ahead and get your WN number. Then you won't have to worry about where you go.

While you haven't asked I will chime in that if you have a motor mounted on your boat which otherwise would not require registration and are on "Federal waters" you do need that registration - whether the motor is being used or not. Put another way, you cannot tilt the motor and row while on Federal waters thinking you are avoiding legal troubles - at least according to Island Co. Sheriff's marine patrol.

Make sure you "GET THE SPACING CORRECT ON LETTERS, NUMBERS" and other stickers.

I watched the GH sheriff Department, write tickets because spacing was incorrect.......

Thanks for the feed back. I will most likely put the wn numbers on my boat just to be safe. And to avoid any confusion.

If you elect to register, a good decision by the way, another requirement is to have the registration aboard which can become a bit of a challenge in an open boat. The good news is that boat registrations have a cut-out portion (lower left as I recall) which you can keep in your wallet.

All rivers in the State and lakes Sammamish and Washington, I have asked many a warden about the Nooch, it is Navigatable all the way to the dam. Then the lake ends it, and the rules then change to HP and boat size, some Wardens and Officers will enforce and others will not, a 500.00 ticket, your choice to make the decision. I will error on the side of my wallet.