Be Boat Ready
Getting you and your vessel ready to set sail
Hawaiʻi’s waters are filled with nautical activity each day. Sailors, anglers, and boaters all sharing the beautiful resources that surround our state. It is here that we request kōkua (help) from our local and visiting boaters to respect our oceans and marine life and enjoy boating responsibly.
Responsibility begins with you and extends to the operation of your vessel.
Here is a guide to get you started:
Individual Registration
Get Certified for a Power-Driven Vessel
Applies to:
All individuals who wish to operate a motorized vessel with more than 10 horsepower in Hawaiʻi’s ocean waters.
Requirement:
All vessel operators in Hawaiʻi ocean waters are required to carry proof of boating safety education certification on board while operating the vessel.
Compliance:
Compliant Internet Courses
(Customer Service: 800-607-2329)
(Customer Service: 800-830-2268)
(Customer Service: 866-764-2628)
(Customer Service: 888-885-8830)
(Customer Service: 800-245-2628
Resources:
Get Certified for a Thrill Craft
Applies to:
All individuals who wish to operate a personal watercraft (PWC), commonly known as a jet ski and called a “thrill craft” in Hawaiʻi.
Requirement:
Standard boating safety certification is a prerequisite to the thrill craft course. All operators in Hawaiʻi ocean waters are required to carry proof of thrill craft certification on board while operating the vessel. Must be at least 15 years old to operate a thrill craft.
Compliance:
Compliant Courses
(Customer Service: 800-830-2268)
Advanced Courses
Resources:
Vessel Title and Registration
Vessel Registration and Titling
This form is dual purpose to both Title and Register your vessel
Titling and Registration Fees
1. Vessel Titles do not need to be renewed and are valid for the life of the vessel or until ownership is transferred.
2. Vessel Registrations need to be renewed annually.
Fees
| New certificate of title | $20.00 |
| Ownership transfer (includes both title & registration) | $30.00 |
| New registration for vessels under 20′ | $25.00 |
| Registration renewal for vessels under 20 | $20.00 |
| New registration for vessels 20′ and longer | $40.00 |
| Registration renewal for vessels 20′ and longer | $35.00 |
| Launch ramp use (includes decals; charged annually) | $75.00 |
| Replacement certificate of title | $50.00 |
| Replacement registration card | $10.00 |
| Replacement registration decals | $10.00 |
| Replacement ramp decal | $10.00 |
LATE FEES
Note: The late fees shown below are in addition to any other fees
| Failure to obtain a certificate of title within the time required by law | $40.00 |
| Failure of new owner to complete an ownership transfer with DOBOR within ten (10) business days after the transfer takes place | $20.00 |
| Renew expired registration for vessels under 20′ | $20.00 |
| Renew expired registration for vessels 20′ and longer | $35.00 |
Fees may vary based on service and/or size of vessel.
Resources and Forms
Average Length of Recreational Boats
More than half of the recreational boats in this country are less than 16 feet in length, and more than 90 percent are less than 20 feet in length.
Slow-No Wake Distance
Speed on waters of the State is limited to “slow-no wake” within 200 feet of any shoreline, float, dock, launch ramp, congested beach, swimmer, diver’s flag, or anchored, moored, or drifting vessel. Slow-no-wake speed is generally around 5 mph even if the vessel does not create a visible wake.
Vessel Grounding Insurance
All vessels at least 26′ in length are required to have vessel grounding insurance.
Recreational Boat Types and Basics
Any boat equipped with propulsion machinery is a motorboat. Motorboats are divided into four classes according to length. The classifications listed below were created to establish the minimum equipment required to be carried on each boat (carriage requirements).
Small Utility Boats
Utility boats are widely used for fishing in protected waters. Most are made of aluminum and can be powered by a small outboard engine. Many can be used as car- toppers because of their light weight and small size.
Runabouts
Most runabouts are made of fiberglass or aluminum and are powered by outboard engines.
The runabout can be used for fishing, water skiing, and cruising – it is a jack-of-all-trades.
Cruisers
A cruiser is larger in size and offers more accommodations. Cruisers start at about 18 feet in length and go up to 50 or 60 feet and more.
Cruisers generally have sleeping berths (bunks), a head (lavatory), and a galley (kitchen). Smaller cruisers are suitable for overnight or weekend outings. Larger cruisers may provide the features of a luxury home. Some people choose to live aboard such boats.
Personal Watercraft
Personal watercrafts are small, agile boats powered by an inboard engine and a jet pump mechanism.
The U.S. Coast Guard considers them to be “Class A Inboard Boats.” These vessels are also identified as “Thrill Craft” by the State.
How to Measure Length
A motorboat is measured from end to end along the centerline or parallel to the centerline as seen it the diagram to the right.
The measurement is from the outside of the hull and does not include outboard motors, brackets, other attachments or similar fittings.
Basic Hull Designs
Boat hulls in 2 different hull styles
1. A displacement hull such as a yacht, fishing boat or large sailboat move through the water
2. A planing hull is designed to travel at a much higher speed and is generally limited to small craft.
The 5 most common hull designs are flat bottom, round bottom, vee, deep vee and multi-hull.
Boating Resources
Hawaiʻi Ocean Recreation
Management Area
Interactive Map
Boating with Whales
Severe Weather and
Tsunami Preparation
The Division of Boating & Ocean Recreation (DOBOR) aims to preserve Hawaiʻi’s natural and cultural resources while ensuring public access to State waters and enhancing the ocean experie Learn more about the work they do >