Boat/Vessel Licensing - Additional Information
MO Numbers:
- serves same function as a motor vehicle's license plate;
- are permanently affixed on each side of the forward half of the vessel;
- usually remain assigned to the same vessel when ownership transfers, except in certain situations; and
- consist of two alpha characters followed by four numeric characters and two more alpha characters, example: MO 1234 AB.
Decals:
- serve same function as the tab on a license plate;
- are placed below each MO number;
- are valid for a period of three years; and
- do not remain with the vessel when ownership transfers.
Outboard Motor Decals:
Are placed on a solid part of the metal housing and are valid until a change of ownership occurs.
Pocket Card:
- is the certificate of number issued to a vessel.
- must be available for inspection at all time while the vessel is in operation.
- is printed at the same time as the certificate of title.
- is printed when the vessel registration is renewed.
"In-Lieu" Boat/Vessel Taxes are based on purchase price and purchase date of the vessel.
Vessels Purchased before July 1, 2003
| Purchase Price | Tax Due |
|---|---|
| $50,000 or less | $650 |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | $1,250 |
| $100,001 to $150,000 | $1,850 |
| $150,000 to $200,000 | $2,450 |
| $200,001 or more | $3,050 |
Vessels Purchased on or after July 1, 2003
| Purchase Price | Tax Due | Purchase Price | Tax Due |
|---|---|---|---|
| $15,000 or less | $500 | $300,001 to $350,000 | $5,500 |
| $15,001 to $30,000 | $650 | $350,001 to $400,000 | $6,000 |
| $30,001 to $50,000 | $1,000 | $400,001 to $450,000 | $6,500 |
| $50,001 to $100,000 | $1,400 | $450,001 to $500,000 | $7,500 |
| $100,001 to $150,000 | $2,000 | $500,001 to $550,000 | $8,500 |
| $150,001 to $200,000 | $3,000 | $550,001 to $650,000 | $9,500 |
| $200,001 to $250,000 | $4,000 | $650,001 to $750,000 | $10,000 |
| $250,001 to $300,000 | $5,000 | $750,001 and above | See note below |
Note: The "in-lieu" boat/vessel tax rate for vessels with a purchase price of $750,001 and above is $10,000 plus an additional $1,500.00 for each $100,000 increment in the purchase price. Example: A vessel with a purchase price of $950,000 would have an "in-lieu" boat/vessel tax of $13,000 ($10,000 + $3,000).