Overview
The pleasant surprise is sales tax: Connecticut cut the rate on vessels, outboard motors, and boat trailers to a flat 2.99% back in 2018 - well under the 6.35% cars pay, and with no luxury cliff no matter how expensive the boat. Wooden hulls also age into a discount: 50% off the fee at 15–24 years old, 75% off at 25 years or older. One more wrinkle since October 2024 - the old Aquatic Invasive Species fee is no longer bundled into your registration; boaters using CT's inland lakes and rivers now buy a separate $7 individual stamp or $20 vessel decal directly through the state's licensing system.
01 - Official fees
Connecticut boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 ft | $7.50 | annual |
| 15–16 ft | $30.00 | annual |
| 20–21 ft | $63.75 | annual |
| 30–31 ft | $162.00 | annual |
| 40–41 ft | $247.50 | annual |
| 65 ft or more | $525.00 | annual |
| Pontoon boat (non-houseboat) | $40.00 | flat, any length |
| Canoe with motor / nonprofit-owned vessel | $15.00 | |
| Under 15 ft with motor under 15 hp | $10.00 | |
| Commercial fishing vessel | capped at $25.00 | |
| Wooden hull, 15–24 years old | 50% of fee | |
| Wooden hull, 25+ years old | 25% of fee | |
| Title fee | $25.00 | |
| Vessel sales tax | 2.99% | flat, no luxury tier - vessels, outboard motors, and trailers |
| AIS stamp (inland waters only) | $7 individual / $20 vessel decal | separate purchase since Oct. 2024, not part of registration |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with the Connecticut DMV (plus your town tax collector for the annual property tax) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Connecticut
- 1
Get the signed-over title (boats model year 2018 and newer generally require one) or bill of sale from the seller.
- 2
Determine your length bracket and any special category (pontoon, small motor, canoe, commercial fishing) from the DMV fee schedule.
- 3
Submit your application at a DMV office along with proof of ownership and the purchase price.
- 4
Pay the annual registration fee by length/category, the $25 title fee if titling for the first time, and 2.99% sales tax.
- 5
If you'll use CT's inland lakes or rivers, separately buy the $7 Individual AIS Stamp or $20 Vessel AIS Decal - it's no longer bundled with registration.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Connecticut vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Connecticut boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Connecticut?
Annually, by length: $7.50 under 12 feet, up to $525 for 65 feet and over, with brackets in between (for example, $63.75 for 20–21 feet, $162 for 30–31 feet). Special categories override length - a pontoon boat is a flat $40, a small motorized craft under 15 feet with under 15 hp is $10.
Why is boat sales tax so much lower than car sales tax in Connecticut?
Connecticut deliberately cut vessel, outboard motor, and boat trailer sales tax to a flat 2.99% starting July 1, 2018, to keep boat sales competitive with neighboring states. There's no luxury tier at any price point - a $40,000 boat and a $400,000 boat both pay 2.99%.
Do older wooden boats get a fee break?
Yes - a wooden hull 15 to 24 years old pays half the standard fee for its length bracket, and a wooden hull 25 years or older pays just a quarter of it. Fiberglass and metal hulls don't get this age discount.
What is the Aquatic Invasive Species stamp and do I still need it?
If you operate on Connecticut's inland lakes, ponds, or rivers, yes - but since October 2024 it's no longer folded into your DMV vessel registration fee. You buy a $7 Individual AIS Stamp or $20 Vessel AIS Decal separately through the state's Online Sportsmen Licensing system. Boaters who stick to Long Island Sound and coastal waters don't need it.
Do kayaks and canoes need to register in Connecticut?
A canoe or kayak with no motor doesn't register. Add a motor and it becomes a registered vessel - though a canoe with a motor gets a flat $15 annual fee rather than the standard length-based schedule.
Is there a break for commercial fishing boats?
Yes - a vessel used primarily for commercial fishing is capped at $25 in annual registration fees, provided at least half the owner's adjusted gross income comes from commercial fishing.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.