Overview
The number that matters most for anyone buying a serious boat is the sales tax cap: Florida taxes a vessel purchase at the standard 6%, but the total tax due maxes out at $18,000 - the point where a $300,000 price tag stops adding to the bill. Buy a $1.2 million yacht and you still pay exactly $18,000 in state tax, not $72,000. County surtax still applies on top, but true to the vehicle rule, only on the first $5,000 of the price.
01 - Official fees
Florida boat registration fees at a glance
| Fee | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Under 12 ft (Class A-1) | $5.50 | annual |
| 12 ft – under 16 ft (Class A-2) | $16.25 | annual |
| 16 ft – under 26 ft (Class 1) | $28.75 | annual |
| 26 ft – under 40 ft (Class 2) | $78.25 | annual |
| 40 ft – under 65 ft (Class 3) | $127.75 | annual |
| 65 ft – under 110 ft (Class 4) | $152.75 | annual |
| 110 ft and over (Class 5) | $189.75 | annual |
| Boat title | $5.25 | electronic; $7.75 paper |
| Sales tax | 6%, capped at $18,000 | plus county surtax on first $5,000 |
Figures verified June 2026 against official sources (listed below). Always confirm the final amount with your county tax collector's office (FLHSMV) - counties can add small local fees.
02 - Step by step
How to register a boat in Florida
- 1
Get the signed-over title from the seller (Florida titles virtually all recreational vessels, unlike some states).
- 2
Bring the title, bill of sale, and proof of ownership to your county tax collector's office.
- 3
Pay the length-based registration fee, the $5.25 title fee, and sales tax on the purchase price (capped at $18,000).
- 4
Display the registration decal and assigned FL numbers on the bow as required.
- 5
Renew annually - or biennially if your county offers it - by the vessel's registration expiration date.
03 - Same state, other costs
More Florida vehicle costs
04 - Common questions
Florida boat registration FAQ
How much does it cost to register a boat in Florida?
By length: $5.50 under 12 feet, $16.25 for 12–15'11", $28.75 for 16–25'11", $78.25 for 26–39'11", $127.75 for 40–64'11", $152.75 for 65–109'11", and $189.75 at 110 feet and up - annual, plus a $5.25 title fee for first-time owners.
Is it true Florida caps sales tax on boats?
Yes - the total state sales tax on a single vessel maxes out at $18,000, the exact amount 6% produces on a $300,000 price. A $2 million yacht and a $300,000 boat pay the same $18,000 in state tax; only the county surtax (capped separately at the first $5,000 of price) adds a small amount on top.
Do kayaks or canoes need to be registered in Florida?
Not if unpowered. Add any motor, including a trolling motor, and registration becomes mandatory regardless of the vessel's size.
Does Florida title boats the way it titles cars?
Yes - nearly all motorized and sailing vessels get a Florida title, unlike states that only register boats without a formal title. The title fee is a modest $5.25 electronically, well below a car's $75+.
Is there a separate fee for the outboard motor?
No - Florida titles and registers the boat as a single unit including its outboard motor, unlike Texas, which titles outboards separately.
What's the deadline to title a boat after buying it?
30 days, the same window as a car. A late boat title carries the same flat $20 penalty structure used for vehicle titles.
05 - Receipts
Official sources
Every number on this page comes from these documents - check them yourself.