Boats for Sale in Ohio
Ohio has Lake Erie on its north shore, the Ohio River along the south and inland lakes in between, including Indian Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys and Buckeye Lake.
Which boats need a title
Under Ohio law, nobody may sell, buy or otherwise acquire these without a certificate of title:
- outboard motors of 10 hp or more
- watercraft 14 feet or longer
- watercraft under 14 feet with a permanently attached motor of 10 hp or more
Exempt are Coast Guard documented boats, canoes and kayaks, shorter boats without such a motor, and motors under 10 hp. Boat titles come from any county title office, just like car titles. A boat that needs a title can't be registered until the title is in the new owner's name.
The ODNR boat operators guide says you can buy a temporary registration to run the boat for up to 60 days while you get the title.
Registration
When you register, you must prove ownership. For titled boats, that means an Ohio title in your name. Ohio treats numbering a boat and registering it as two separate steps. Sailboards, kiteboards, paddleboards and float tubes are exempt from both registration and titling.
Check the HIN
ODNR warns buyers about stolen boats. Match the HIN on the title to the 12-character HIN on the transom, and look for signs it's been altered. Homemade boats, and boats without a valid 12-character HIN, require contacting a Parks and Watercraft office, and an officer may need to inspect the boat.
Boater education
Ohio Revised Code 1547.05 says anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 needs a NASBLA-approved course or an ODNR-approved proficiency exam to operate a powercraft over 10 hp. The rule also applies to a supervising adult born on or after that date. If you're stopped without the certificate, you have 72 hours to show it. Holders of a Coast Guard merchant mariner credential with a master or operator endorsement are exempt.
Where to boat
Lake Erie's islands region, Sandusky Bay and the harbors from Toledo to Ashtabula are the big draws. Check the marine forecast before heading out on Erie. Inland, Indian Lake, Grand Lake St. Marys, Buckeye Lake, Alum Creek and Lake Milton are popular, and the Ohio River has marinas from East Liverpool to Cincinnati.
Popular boats
Walleye boats and cruisers on Lake Erie, pontoons and runabouts inland and bass boats everywhere.
Buying tips for Ohio
Ask the seller for the title for both the boat and the outboard if it's 10 hp or more. Plan a trip to the county title office before you register.
In Ohio, a titled boat needs the title written in your name before an agent will transfer the registration. The transfer of an unexpired registration costs $5 and must be done in person. On Lake Erie boats, check the trim tabs, bilge and outdrive bellows. Inland boats from Grand Lake St. Marys or Indian Lake should be checked for prop and skeg damage.
Questions for an Ohio seller: Is the title in your name, and when does the registration expire? Has the boat been on Lake Erie, and if so, what maintenance did it get afterward?
1 boat for sale
Frequently asked questions
Which boats need a title in Ohio?
Boats 14 feet or longer, shorter boats with a permanent motor of 10 hp or more, and outboards of 10 hp or more.
Who needs boater education in Ohio?
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1982 who operates a powercraft over 10 hp.
Where do I get an Ohio boat title?
At any county title office.