(03/01/2002) Secretary of State Candice S. Miller today announced that renewal notices for the 284,402 watercraft registrations that expire on March 31, 2002, will be in the mail next week.

The 2002 registrations represent approximately one-third of the state’s 831,962 watercraft, currently registered in Michigan. Watercraft registrations are issued for three years.

Secretary Miller reminds boat owners that the convenient customer services of touch-tone telephone and Internet registration renewal used by thousands of vehicle owners statewide are available to watercraft owners through August 31. These convenient renewal options, as well as mail and fax renewal, allow customers to pay by credit card.

“We are truly a ‘water wonderland’ and we’ve made it easy for boat owners to register their watercraft in advance of the upcoming boating season,” said Secretary Miller. “In our effort to provide the most convenient customer service, we provide boat owners with easy ways to renew their watercraft registration.”

The new three-year registration and watercraft decal should arrive in the mail within seven days when renewing by touch-tone telephone and Internet ; within 10 days when renewing by mail and fax.

Residents may also renew in person at any of Michigan’s 173 Secretary of State branch offices. The five renewal options are detailed in a Watercraft Renewal Guide being sent with renewal notices.

All watercraft on Michigan waters, including privately owned lakes and waterways, must be registered and display a valid registration decal. Canoes and kayaks without motors and boats under 16 feet long without motors, are exempt from registration.

In addition to the 284,402 registrations that expire at the end of March, there are 264,647 registrations that expire in 2003; another 281,673 that expire in 2004; and 1,240 that expire in 2005.

Oakland County has the most watercraft currently registered in Michigan (82,671); followed by Wayne (68,487), Macomb (48,553), and Kent (45,217) counties. 

Registration and renewal fees for motor-powered boats are based on the length of the watercraft; ranging from $14 for boats under 12 feet, up to $448 for vessels over 50 feet. Non-powered vessels, other than canoes or kayaks, have a standard $9 registration fee.

More than 500,000 boats registered in Michigan measure less than 16 feet, while 170 boats are over 45 feet long.