I'm looking at getting a small dinghy about 10' with a small motor ~5hp.
This will be a car topper. Does it have to be registered? Only going to use it to take my kids across to Penquin Island which some people walk across the sand bar.
I don't want to buy anything I have to license or get a skippers ticket for.
Thanks.
It's all online.
As I recall it, any water vessel with motor or motor mount you must rego it. Even a blowup kayak with motor mount as I read it.
You can have a surfcat (possibly a small yacht) without mount, without registering it.
Also a tender is exempt as the-mal pointed out.
Paddled over to Penguin I. many times. Suggest don't go around the island without knowing what your doing. The swell can bring reefs out of the water on north end and west side. The sheltered side is safe as, very nice. Carnac etc aint allowed anymore unfortunately. Been chased off.
What about old windsurfer boards, I've been using them for years for paddling.
In short, yes, technically you should register it.
WA Boat Rego Rules are here.
The only grey area is if you were using the boat as a life-boat or a ship-to-shore for a larger registered boat:
But I'm assuming that doesn't apply to you. In which case, unless it doesn't have a motor, it needs to be registered.