24.175 Vessels Not Required to be Registered (VC §9873)

The following vessels are not required to be registered:

• Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles.
• Sailboats eight feet or less in length without motors.
• A public vessel of the United States, another state, or subdivision of another state.
• A ship’s lifeboat. (a dinghy is not a lifeboat).
• A vessel of another country temporarily using the waters of this state.
• A vessel bearing an assigned number in full force, which has been issued pursuant to federal law or a federally-approved numbering system of another state, provided it has not changed its state of principal use and has not been within this state for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days.
• Nonmotorized surfboards over eight feet in length, propelled by a sail that requires the operator to hold the mast upright.
• A vessel not using or on the waters of this state.
• Racing vessels brought into this state exclusively for racing purposes and remaining for less than 90 days providing the state of origin also exempts such vessels (CCR §190.19).