Hey Ross,

You've probably already checked, but here's what I found on the Ohio state website:

http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/odnr/watercraft/laws/opsguide/ohiovr1.htm

It looks like you need both a registration sticker and a number.

Windsurfers and inflatables are not watercraft and are exempt from registration.
--Put a small windsurfer sail on your kayak
--Put an inflation valve on one of your hatches!!

If a watercraft requiring a title is transferred to a new owner, it may be operated for no more than 45 days provided the new owner carries aboard either of the following:

• a temporary watercraft registration from an authorized registration agent;
• a bill of sale from a watercraft dealer containing the required information

--Sell your boats to your wife every 44 days. Then, have her sell them back to you in 44 days!

As far as numbering, watercraft exempt from Ohio numbering are:

• documented by the United States Coast Guard;
• numbered by another state and not used in this state for more than 60 days;
• from a country other than the United States temporarily using Ohio water;
• owned by the United States, a state or political subdivision;
• a ship's lifeboat. A "lifeboat" is held aboard another vessel and used exclusively for emergency purposes;
• exempted by the chief of the Division of Watercraft;
• under a waiver issued for a race or special event.

--Can you get waivers for special "wood kayak events"?

: That's a nice loophole, and with the weight of your boats, it wouldn't be
: difficult to justify. But do you simply declare it's a racing vessel when
: the Oklahoma Division of Watercraft officer starts writing a ticket? It
: would be great to find an equivalent loophole in Ohio, but even if I
: could, I expect the burden of proof to be mine (know how screwy things are
: here).

: Ross