Ok, has anyone been through the hurdles to get a pedal/paddle powered kayak registered to add a trolling motor? I bought it used and have a receipt/bill of sale from the original owner. I’ve been struggling through the myriad of forms on the Texas parks website. Can anyone provide a little stick and rudder for this effort?

Thanks

Jeff

Just did it - I'm travelling but I'll send you the necessary links tomorrow when I get home. Twpd provide a nice spreadsheet where you can identify exactly what you have to have. Biggest deal is you need to have MSO to title - if seller didn't give you one - you should contact manufacturer and they will usually issue you a replacement.

Thanks Searsay. I registered on the Jackson website just for “chain of ownership” with the SN on the yak. No idea if original owner registered, but I have a start. Thanks!

Jeff

Apologies for delay on this - got attacked by work so just getting some spare time now.

TPWD boat forms page - https://tpwd.texas.gov/regulations/outdoor-annual/boating/boating-references-tools-forms

So to start registering your kayak - you can look at the following chart that TPWD provides to cover basically all scenarios - to see what paperwork you need to title/register (you have to be titled to be registered)

Registration & Titling - https://tpwd.texas.gov/fishboat/boa...and-or%20Registered%20Through%20TPWD.pdf

For your scenario (and mine) - it is a used kayak that has never been registered - so we need the following forms documents
1) Vessel/Boat Application (PWD 143)
2) Verification of Vessel Serial Number (PWD 504)
3) Bill of Sale. Basically page listing the price you paid for the kayak - for tax purposes. Ideally signed by you and the seller. Also helps to have a bank/app transaction for evidence as well (zelle/vinmo)
4) Affidavit of Fact (why was this not registered prior) - its a kayak - prior owner chose not to put a motor on it... I plan to
5) MSO (manufactures statement of orgin) - request from prior owner OR reach out to manufacturer.

You will need to pay the following
1) title fee
2) registration fee
3) tax on sale

That should cover you for everything!

Thanks a bunch Searsay!

i realize this thread is a few months old but i have one additional question about registering a kayak with a trolling motor. do you have to go in person to a TPWD office? can this be done online or at a county or other state office?

You will also need an actual picture of the VIN from the hull. At least I had to, on the one I registered.

I did mine in person at TPWD. No MSO, just a bill of sale with VIN, date of sale, and price. They issued me a title and tags. BTW- those tags dont hang on plastic very well. I painted numbers on and glued/ screwed thin aluminum plates onto the hull for the tags.

Mods please make a sticky on this

just wanted to add one more piece of information for those living in the Austin area. If you go to TPWD headquarters, you will need to make an appointment ahead of time to get your kayak titled and registered. i just showed up and had to wait for 1 1/2 hours. TPWD did eventually fit me in but i was not happy about the wait.

What is the process for registering a small kayak trailer?

As long as you have a valid title for the trailer it's not bad. Your local VTR or tax collector office can give you the form to fill out and tell you what is required. I'd recommend going there because seems like what's needed varies from one office to another. If you don't have a valid title for the trailer my suggestion would be to get rid of the trailer. Seriously it's easier than getting it titled and registered.

Thanks!

I got a notice from the Fort Bend County Tax Assessor-Collector that they now do registrations. Per the notice... "We have partnered with Texas Parks & Wildlife (TPWD) as of July 15, 2021. We provide water vessel and outboard motor title and registration services."

I don't know if other counties also do this. But it might be worth a phone call to ask if a TPWD office isn't close.