Kentucky Boat Numbering: Placement And Legal Requirements

If you're planning to set sail in the state of Kentucky, you'll need to ensure your boat is registered and numbered correctly. All mechanically powered vessels operating in Kentucky waters must be registered and display valid registration decals. The registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the vessel, with the number reading from left to right. The numbers must be in BLOCK letters, at least three inches high, and in a colour that contrasts sharply with the boat's colour. So, if you're preparing to launch your boat in Kentucky, make sure you follow these guidelines to ensure smooth sailing when it comes to registration and numbering.

Displaying the registration number

To display the registration number and registration decal on your boat, you must follow these rules:

The registration number must be painted on or permanently affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel, specifically the port and starboard sides of the bow. No other numbers may be displayed. The number must be read from left to right on both sides of the vessel. The number must be in BLOCK letters, at least 3 inches high, and be of one solid colour that contrasts sharply with the colour of the boat. Letters and numbers must be separated by a space or hyphen, for example, "KY 1234 AB" or "KY-1234-AB".

The registration decal must be placed towards the stern of the boat, within 6 inches of and in line with the registration number. Only current decals should be displayed.

Displaying the registration decal

To display the registration decal on your boat in Kentucky, you must follow these rules:

Firstly, the registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the vessel, with no other numbers visible. Specifically, the number must be displayed on both the port and starboard sides of the bow. The number must be painted on, or permanently affixed to the boat, and must be in BLOCK letters, at least 3 inches high. The colour of the letters must be in one solid colour that contrasts sharply with the colour of the boat.

The registration number must be displayed in a left-to-right format, with letters and numbers separated by a space or hyphen. For example, the valid formats for displaying the registration number are KY 1234 AB or KY-1234-AB.

The registration decal must be placed on both sides of the boat, within 6 inches towards the stern and in line with the registration number. Only current decals must be displayed.

Where to place the boat number

To properly display your boat number in Kentucky, you must follow these rules:

The boat number must be painted or affixed to both sides of the forward half of the vessel. It should be placed on the bow, or front, of the boat, with one number on each side. No other numbers can be displayed on the forward half of the boat. The numbers must be at least three inches high and in vertical, BLOCK-style lettering. The colour of the numbers must contrast sharply with the colour of the boat, so they are easily readable. For example, black numbers on a white boat, or white numbers on a black boat.

The registration number should be read from left to right on both sides of the vessel. The correct format is to have the letters 'KY' followed by four numbers and then two more letters. For example, 'KY 1234 AB'. The letters and numbers must be separated by spaces, or you can use a hyphen, for example, 'KY-1234-AB'.

In addition to the number, you must also display a registration decal. This should be placed within six inches of the number, towards the stern (the back) of the boat, and must be in line with the number. Only current decals should be displayed.

How to format the boat number

To correctly format your boat number in Kentucky, you must follow the guidelines set out by the Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources. These rules apply to all boats that require registration in the state.

Firstly, the registration number must be displayed on both sides of the forward half of the vessel, specifically on the port and starboard sides of the bow. The number must be painted on or permanently affixed to the boat and must not be displayed anywhere else.

The number must be in BLOCK letters, with each letter at least three inches high. The colour of the letters must be in a single solid colour that contrasts sharply with the colour of the boat. This ensures the number is easily readable.

The letters and numbers must be separated by either a space or a hyphen. For example, the valid formats for displaying the number are "KY 1234 AB" or "KY-1234-AB". No other numbers may be displayed aside from the registration number.

In addition to the registration number, a registration decal must also be displayed. This decal indicates the expiration date of the registration. It must be placed within six inches towards the stern and in line with the number. Only current decals must be displayed.

Exemptions from registration

To operate any mechanically powered vessel on Kentucky waters, it must be registered and display valid registration decals. However, there are some exemptions from registration.

Non-motorized vessels such as canoes, kayaks, and rowboats are exempt from registration. This means that if you plan to operate a non-motorized vessel in Kentucky, you are not required to register it or display any registration decals.

Additionally, vessels that are properly registered in another state and are temporarily using Kentucky waters (for up to 60 consecutive days) are also exempt from registration in Kentucky. This exemption is important for out-of-state visitors who wish to operate their vessels temporarily within Kentucky.

Vessels documented with the US Coast Guard are also exempt from Kentucky registration requirements. These larger recreational vessels, which are typically documented with the US Coast Guard, are not required to display a Kentucky registration number or decals.

It is important to note that even if a vessel is exempt from registration, there may still be other requirements that need to be met, such as safety equipment requirements and age restrictions for operators. Additionally, all vessels, whether exempt or not, are subject to Kentucky's boating laws and regulations, which are in place to ensure the safety of boaters and other water users.

Frequently asked questions