Blog
Tips, guides, and updates for boat owners.
Arkansas Boating Laws: AGFC Rules Every Boater Should Know in 2026
AGFC boating laws in Arkansas for 2026, including operator age requirements, boater education, life jackets, BUI penalties, PWC rules, no-wake zones, and required safety equipment.
Arkansas Boat Insurance in 2026: Requirements, Penalties, and Coverage Options
Arkansas is one of only two states that require boat insurance by law. This guide covers who needs it, minimum coverage amounts, penalties for noncompliance, and optional coverage types.
How to Register a Boat in Arkansas in 2026
Who must register, required documents, fees, display rules, and how to renew your boat registration in Arkansas through the DFA.
5 Common Mistakes That Delay Your NC Boat Registration (And How to Avoid Them)
NCWRC returns incomplete applications without explanation. Here are the five mistakes that cause most NC boat registration delays and how to get it right the first time.
How to Buy a Boat on Facebook Marketplace Without Getting Burned (NC Edition)
Buying a used boat from a private seller in North Carolina means verifying ownership yourself. Here's how to check titles, avoid scams, and get the paperwork right.
SC Boating Safety Laws and Equipment Requirements: What You Need On Board in 2026
South Carolina has specific rules about who needs a boating safety course, what equipment must be on board, and how BUI laws work. Here's what actually applies to you.
How to Sell Your Boat in South Carolina: A Step-by-Step Paperwork Guide
Selling a boat in SC means more than handing over keys. You need to sign the title correctly, notify SCDNR, certify property taxes, and protect yourself from future liability.
SC Boat Tax Calculator: How Much You'll Save Under the New 2027 Law (H.3858)
South Carolina's new boat tax law (H.3858) cuts the effective rate from 10.5% to 6% by 2029. Use this SC boat tax calculator to estimate your savings by county.
North Carolina Boating Laws Every Boat Owner Should Know in 2026
A complete guide to NC boating laws in 2026 — registration, titling, safety education, PFD requirements, BUI rules, and equipment standards.
Do You Need to Register a Kayak or Canoe in NC?
Find out if you need to register your kayak or canoe in North Carolina. Most paddle-only boats are exempt, but adding a motor changes the rules.
New vs. Used Boat Purchase in NC: A Documentation Checklist
Complete documentation checklist for buying a new or used boat in North Carolina. Covers MSO, bill of sale, Form VL-1, fees, and common pitfalls.
Registering a Boat Bought Out of State in North Carolina
Step-by-step guide to registering an out-of-state boat in North Carolina. Documents needed, where to submit, fees, and common mistakes to avoid.
Transferring a Boat Title After a Death in North Carolina
How to transfer a boat title after a death in North Carolina. Covers estate administration, joint titles, missing titles, and small estate affidavits.
Bill of Sale vs. Affidavit vs. Title: What Each One Actually Does (With Real SC Scenarios)
What a bill of sale, affidavit, and boat title each actually do in South Carolina, and which one you need for your specific situation.
SC Boat Registration Timeline: How Long Each Step Actually Takes (and How to Speed It Up)
How long SC boat title transfers and registration actually take, what causes delays, and how to avoid getting stuck in processing limbo.
How to Buy a Boat from Facebook Marketplace Without Getting Burned (SC Edition)
How to avoid scams and paperwork traps when buying a boat from Facebook Marketplace in South Carolina. Red flags, verification steps, and what to refuse.
Where SC Boat Property Tax Money Actually Goes (And Why It Doesn't Fund Boat Ramps)
South Carolina boat owners pay property tax, registration fees, and fuel taxes, but each one goes to a completely different place. Here's where every dollar lands, and why boat ramps come from a separate funding system entirely.
How the Federal Gas Tax Quietly Pays for South Carolina's Boat Ramps
South Carolina spent $8.5 million on public boating access in FY24, but it didn't come from boat property tax or registration fees. Here's how the federal Sport Fish Restoration program, funded by motorboat fuel excise taxes, pays for nearly every public ramp in the state.
North Carolina Boat Registration Fees for 2026
Current NC boat registration fees from the VL-1 form (revised 11/2025). Covers new registrations, renewals, and replacement documents by vessel size.
How to Register a Boat in North Carolina
Step-by-step guide to registering a motorized vessel in NC. Covers who must register, required documents, how to apply, and how long registration lasts.
How to Renew Your NC Boat Registration
NC boat registrations expire on a 1- or 3-year cycle. Here's how to renew on time, which term makes sense for you, and what to do if you've lost your documents.
Do You Need a Boat Title in North Carolina?
Not every boat in NC requires a title — but more do than most owners expect. Here's exactly when titling is required and what documents you'll need.
North Carolina Boating Safety Laws Explained
NC requires certain operators to complete a boating safety course before legally running a motorized vessel. Find out who must comply and who is exempt.
5 Things You Didn't Know About Registering a Boat in SC
South Carolina has some boat registration rules that catch new boat owners off guard. Here are five facts that could save you time, money, and a rejected application.
3 Most Common Reasons Boat Registrations Get Rejected in SC
SCDNR returns incomplete or incorrect applications — and that means weeks of delays. Here are the three most common mistakes that get SC boat registrations rejected.
7 Hidden Details in SC's New Boat Tax Law Nobody's Talking About
H.3858 does more than cut property taxes on boats. Here are seven provisions buried in the legislation that South Carolina boat owners need to know.
South Carolina Boat Tax Cut Signed Into Law: What It Means for Boat Owners
Governor McMaster signed H.3858 into law, cutting boat property taxes and eliminating separate motor titling. Here's what changes starting January 2027.
Introducing BoatForms: Boat Title Transfers Made Simple
BoatForms is a free app that auto-fills state boat title transfer forms, calculates fees, and walks you through the process step by step.
SC Boat Title Transfer Checklist: Don't Forget These Documents
A complete checklist of documents, fees, and steps needed to transfer a boat title in South Carolina. Covers in-state, out-of-state, and family transfers.
Why Boat Title Transfers Matter (And What Happens If You Skip It)
Boat title transfers aren't optional. Learn why proper title transfer protects you legally and financially when buying or selling a boat.