: At the risk of being cynical.... does registration require a fee?
: One good reason to require registration (at least if you're a
: politician) is to raise revenue. A tax by any other name will
: smell as bad....

Some of the states require registration of kayaks and some do not. Here in Texas, not. Also no registration on sail boats or self powered small boats. If it has a motor or engine, electric or fuel, it requires registration.

And yes, registrations are a form of revenue. The gov is going to get its money somewhere. No state income Tax here in Texas, but property and sales taxes are higher than in Iowa where I used to live.

Tony