Boats for Sale in New Hampshire

Registration through the DMV

Every boat operated on New Hampshire's public waters, including tidal, coastal and inland waters, must be registered and display a bow number issued by the DMV, unless exempt under RSA 270-E:4. You can register any time, but every registration expires December 31 of the year it was issued.

To register a boat you need:

• a completed Boat Registration Application
• proof of ownership signed by both you and the seller (DMV's bill of sale page lists what a vessel bill of sale must include)
• your valid driver's license
• the registration fee, which depends on the boat (call DMV boat registrations to confirm)
• a Verification of Vessel Identification for homemade boats or boats without a HIN

You can register by mail, through its drop box, or at an authorized boat agent. Renewals can also be done at certified marinas. A nonresident whose boat is used 51% or more of the time in New Hampshire may register it here.

Bow numbers start with NH, then four digits and one or two letters. A boat previously registered in New Hampshire keeps the same bow number for its life, so a used boat should already have one. Keep the registration certificate aboard.

Boating education certificate

New Hampshire has a mandatory boating education law. Everyone 16 or older who operates a motorboat over 25 horsepower on New Hampshire waters must have a boating education certificate. The state accepts:

• a NASBLA-approved certificate from another state
• a US Power Squadron or Coast Guard Auxiliary certificate
• an unexpired Coast Guard or New Hampshire commercial license

Adults taking an online course can take the final exam online. Students under 18 must take the final in person with a state proctor. The passing score is 80%, and in-person retests cost $10.

Where to boat

Lake Winnipesaukee is the center of New Hampshire boating, with towns like Wolfeboro, Meredith, Alton Bay and Weirs Beach. Squam Lake is quieter. Lake Sunapee, Newfound Lake and Lake Winnisquam are other favorites, along with many smaller lakes and ponds. On the coast, Portsmouth Harbor, the Piscataqua River and Great Bay lead out to the Isles of Shoals.

The Piscataqua has strong tidal currents, so plan trips with the tide. Big lakes like Winnipesaukee can get rough in a summer afternoon breeze, and busy weekends mean heavy traffic. Rocks and shoals are well marked on the charts, so carry one.

Popular boats

Bowriders, runabouts and pontoons on the lakes, classic wooden boats around Winnipesaukee, and center consoles on the coast.

Buying tips for New Hampshire

Check that the bill of sale has both signatures, since DMV requires them. Look up the bow number and ask for the current registration. Many lake boats are stored at marinas over the winter, so ask for service and winterization records, and check the hull for rock strikes.