Illinois boat registration numbers?

Jim Boyer

Jim Boyer

Active member
I need some input from Illinois marsh boat owners.

Where should I "mount" my Illinois Registration numbers/decals on this rig so as to avoid a ticket?
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If it is only "human Power" you can buy a permit over the counter at a sporting goods store. New law last year. If motor powered I would mount on hull sides (I know there isnt much of a side on it) . If you run into a tree cop at least you made the effort.
 
Similarly, NJ does not require hull numbers or registration on non powered watercraft below a certain length.

My question would be, if you do power the boat, do you do it with the camo cover on? By the appearance of the cover, it drapes down below the water line and would therefore be stored while under motion. In that case, is it a requirement for your registration numbers to be displayed. I don't consider mine hidden to avoid detection from LEs when hunting, but I have never had a problem or have been told otherwise. I do not hide or cover my numbers when I am under power.

Chad
 
If you are going to run a motor on the migrator put the registration stickers and numbers on the inside of the blind doors. Motor with the doors open. Close them to hunt. If no motor, no numbers just one sticker to stick on the hull under the grass.
 
What?....You got numbers????? Who did you pay? I bought a boat last July and I'm still waiting for my registration. Every time I contact the watercraft division I get a different song and dance. The last time I contacted them (2 weeks ago) they sent me a screen capture showing I was in the system and told me to print this and carry it with me while motoring in Illinois until I get my registration. What happens if I motor over to the Iowa side and get stopped? It's been over 250 days since I applied! As you no the documentation allows for 120 days! This is getting ridicules!

I imagine you registered incase you want to put a motor on it? I put my numbers on the combing of my Momarsh fatboy. I got a verbal warning that they have to be on the hull towards the bow of the boat. So I put them on the top of the hull by the bow. I made sure the numbers were visible when motoring. I would try what Mike suggested. If your paddle only you just need to purchase a water usage stamp.

http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating/Documents/BoatDigest.pdf
 
I feel for you Ed, aren't you glad Illinois government is so efficient. Wink wink They made me register my puddler because the manufacturer calls it a boat. Just what I wanted a nice stealthy bright colored sticker on my boat. I did all the letters in flat black and then used a piece of camo tape over the sticker as a flap. Underway I just fold it back, fold it down to cover the sticker when hunting.
 
Yep....and now that Quinn is making our temp tax a perm thing do you think that will go to anything outside of Cook County? I hear he's going to use it for scholarships for under privileged. Don't get me wrong, that's a good thing but not when the state is broke.
 
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Sorry...that was uncalled for. I know there are members here that live in Cook County. Didn't mean to rock the boat. Sometimes my mouth kicks in before my brain. Or my fingers in this case.
 
The wardens say they want to see them if your running out or going in so I made placards with clips one side has the numbers the other flat black when hunting. Got stopped twice at the ramp and they thought it was a good idea.
 
Here in the southern part of the state, the wardens I have ran into have given up on checking registration. It's kind of hard to enforce it if the state can't hold up their end of the contract. Wether it be a ski boat or fishing boat they don't seem to even ask or care. They are mostly concerned that you have you safety gear and are otherwise legal. Had a friend with a ski boat and it took over a year to get his registration. Last I heard 6 month wait maybe longer if the registration has any issues.
 
What?....You got numbers????? Who did you pay? I bought a boat last July and I'm still waiting for my registration.
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I purchase my boat late in July (2013) and received the title and boat stickers in December. With only the "sticker" choice, I could not acquire a title. Thinking no title would make it more difficult to sell later on, I opted to do a full registration. I will use a trolling motor (once in awhile).

The option of putting numbers/sticker on the doors won't work because they fold out to only a horizontal position when "running". The clipped placard seems like a viable alternative, but the first thing that I thought of is what if it come loose?

It appears the only "safe" alternative will be to just place them on the bow as high as possible and have a flap of the Cordura cover that can be clipped up when running.

If the game warden wants to look closely, they may have to bend over and get their face wet to read it.
 
The wardens say they want to see them if your running out or going in so I made placards with clips one side has the numbers the other flat black when hunting. Got stopped twice at the ramp and they thought it was a good idea.
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Just to be clear, the registration may be administered by the state, but it is a federal reg and all states conform to the same regs.
 
(1) Be painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel except as allowed by paragraph (b) or required by paragraph (c) of this section;
(2) Be in plain vertical block characters of not less than 3 inches in height;
(3) Contrast with the color of the background and be distinctly visible and legible;
(4) Have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter other than “I” or a number other than “1” between the letter and number groupings (Example: DC 5678 EF or DC–5678–EF); and
(5) Read from left to right.
(b) When a vessel is used by a manufacturer or by a dealer for testing or demonstrating, the number may be painted on or attached to removable plates that are temporarily but firmly attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel.
(c) On vessels so configured that a number on the hull or superstructure would not be easily visible, the number must be painted on or attached to a backing plate that is attached to the forward half of the vessel so that the number is visible from each side of the vessel.
Remember, The numbers must be easily visible. No putting your face on the water to read them.
 
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After talking directly with the Illinois game warden that checks boats at Big Slough launch, I went with a "normal" placement and will use a clamp to hold up a "revealing flap" for full view.


 
I am not a fan of the numbers on the white back grounds on my hunting boats. I know they will be covered while hunting and if they are reflective they add some safety. I still prefer the black vinyl letters that are not on a back ground. I spoke to a DNR Captain in the past about numbering my scull boat and he talked about understanding that guys did not want numbers that stood out too much. Maybe you were given different advice on the marsh boat.
 
"Maybe you were given different advice on the marsh boat."

The issue with color was mentioned. The bright red Illinois sticker was brought up as not all that great a color (by the warden). I was told any color that contrasts would be fine (even black). The black on white decals I bought didn't bother me at all because when the clamp comes off they will be completely covered by the "cordura" (when hunting).

The stickers need to be visible only when "underway".
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