However, there is a minimum of legislative restriction on boating. Laws on boating vary according to the state in which the craft is to be used and according to its horsepower. What may be acceptable in one state may be strictly prohibited across the boundary line. The main requirement is to be sure the boat is numbered according to the regulations of the state in which the boat will be principally used. If your state has no provisions for the numbering of pleasure boats, you must apply for a number from the U.S. Coast Guard for any kind of boat with mechanical propulsion rated at more than 10 horsepower before it can be used on Federal waterways.
State numbering laws differ from each other in many ways.
Fees are not the same and some states do not require certain craft, such as sailboats with no power, to be registered at all. Many states have laws regulating the use of boat trailers and some have restrictions regarding the age of motor boat operators. Generally, states reserve for communities the right to have local ordinances regulating speed and other activities. It is always wise to consult your marine dealer, local yacht or boat club secretary, or local law enforcement officers if you are not positive what the regulations are. Hand in hand with the legislative program is the industry's self originated and directed safety program.