See full version: Boat Registration Guide: British Columbia
From Okanagan Lake to the Gulf Islands, British Columbia is full of sparkling, inviting water perfect for long days boating and sailing out on the water. Whether you’re a skipper, a sailor or a swimmer, there’s something extra beautiful about the lakes, rivers and fjords that are home to British Columbia home.
To transfer ownership to your new pleasure craft, complete the application for a Pleasure Craft Licence and write “transfer ownership” in the field marked for application reason. The following documents are required to transfer ownership to a pleasure craft:
When you own and operate a boat in Canada, you’ll likely need to licence it and/or register it, depending on the type of boat you have. Many boats are considered pleasure crafts in Canada, which means they’re used for fun and daily living. You probably have a pleasure craft if you’re spending your time going to the cottage, waterskiing or leisurely going out on the water, meaning that you’ll need to license your pleasure craft. Your pleasure craft must be licenced if it has a 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) motor or more. more
I got the survey done “first” – that helped out with any questions getting it registered and the insurance wouldn’t even talk to us without the survey as well.
Now, this is important–if you live in ONTARIO (and maybe other provinces, but Ontario for sure). The money grubbing Ontario Government gets notification of every “new” pleasure craft license issued to an Ontario resident and they want “proof” that sales tax was paid on the boat. Fine if you buy from a dealer, but they even come after private sales when the license holder changes. I knew this in advance so kept a number of receipts for the lumber, epoxy, hardware etc.–enough to show that I had paid sales tax on the “materials used to build” – and sure enough, after I got my permanent license number I get the letter in the mail asking for proof of sales tax payment. So I scan all my receipts, send it in and ask if that’s sufficient – didn’t hear any more from them so it must have been ok
I started out by calling Transport Canada, because the website was convoluted. I told them I had built a 25′ 10″ “pleasure craft” (the pleasure craft part is uber-important, otherwise you need extra inspections etc.). They told me to get a copy of a “Canadian Boat Registration Form” (available online through their website) and they would help me fill it in over the phone. Because you don’t have a HIN (hull identification number) you have to call them anyhow. more
Pleasure craft licence changes, alterations, modifications, updates. more
Boat dealer, vendor, test-drive, demo licence, forms, application. here
Requirements, exemptions, documentation, forms, application. here
Transport Canada is closely monitoring the COVID-19 situation. In response, we have issued some transportation-related measures and guidance. Please check if any of these measures apply to you. here
Registration is optional for all pleasure craft, It is no longer mandatory for pleasure craft over 15 gross tonnage (or 12 metres long) to be registered. more
This law does not apply if the boat is registered or licensed in accordance with the laws of another country and not principally maintained or operated in Canada, for a life raft or other survival craft that is part of the equipment of a ship, as well as for an amphibious vehicle for which a provincial automobile licence for highway travel is required. here
You must carry registration documents on board the vessel at all times, together with any other ownership documents, to help avoid delays clearing U.S. or Canada customs, or in case of a fine. here
Although there are costs involved, registration gives you some important benefits, which include a proof of ownership (legal title) for your boat, the right to fly the Canadian flag, a unique name, and official number for your boat, as well as the right to use your boat as security for a marine mortgage. here