With almost 100,000 bodies of water (yes, really!), Saskatchewan is the go-to place for Canadians looking to fish, boat, and enjoy as many days as humanly possible out on the water.
Whether you’re on the massive Lake Athabasca or canoeing on the Fond du Lac River, there’s always something to do. However, there are strict regulations for boaters around the proper licensing of pleasure crafts in Saskatchewan.
Make sure you’re safe, legal, and ready for all the boat days your heart desires. We’re breaking down all there is to know about Saskatchewan boat registration.
How Do I Know If My Boat Needs to Be Registered?
In Saskatchewan, while you might be happily waiting to hit the water right away, you’ll need to licence or register most boats.
Most likely, the boats you’re operating are probably considered pleasure crafts in Canada, meaning they’re used for leisure. Odds are you have a pleasure craft if you’re using your boat for fishing, water skiing, swimming, or hanging out; if so, you’ll need to licence it.
So, if you’re wondering whether or not your boat needs to be licenced, it does if it has a motor of 7.5 kW (10 horsepower) or more.
In Canada, certain boats require actual registration with the Canadian Register of Vessels: commercial vessels, government-owned vessels, barges, commercial river rafts, vessels with a marine mortgage, and vessels travelling outside of Canada are the only things.
Pleasure crafts only need a licence.
What Boats Are Exempt?
If you own and operate a pleasure craft in Saskatchewan, you’ll need to licence it unless you meet one of these exceptions:
- Pleasure crafts with a motor of less than 10 horsepower (7.5 kW)
- A pleasure craft with a Transport Canada registration
- Pleasure crafts purchased less than 90 days ago
Remember: that 90 days is only a grace period. After that time period, pleasure craft boaters in Saskatchewan must carry documentation with their name, address, and purchase date.
How Do I Licence My Pleasure Craft in Saskatchewan?
To get your Pleasure Craft Licence in Saskatchewan, you can apply online or via mail. The Application for Pleasure Craft Licence can be printed and mailed alongside all required documents or online.
You’ll need the following documents:
- The completed application
- Signed photocopy of the valid government-issued identification for each owner
- A copy of the bill of sale or proof of ownership (home-built boats without a bill of sale may submit a declaration under oath)
- A current, full-side view photo of the boat
How Much Does it Cost To Licence a Pleasure Craft in Saskatchewan?
There is no fee to obtain your pleasure craft licence in Saskatchewan. However, any pleasure craft caught operating with no licence will be charged a fee of $250.
How Do I Transfer Ownership To My Boat?
In Canada, transferring ownership of a boat or a pleasure craft is fairly straightforward.
To transfer ownership, you’ll complete the application for a Pleasure Craft Licence by writing “transfer ownership” in the field marked for application reason. Then, you’ll need the following pieces of documentation to transfer ownership successfully:
- The completed application
- Signed photocopy of the valid government-issued identification for each owner
- A copy of the bill of sale or proof of ownership
- A current, full-side view photo of the vessel
What Else Do I Need to Know About Saskatchewan Boat Registration?
After the Saskatchewan boat registration is complete, you’ll need to display the licence number at all times on both sides of your pleasure craft’s bow in a contrasting colour that is easy to read. The licence number must be displayed at least a height of 7.5 centimetres (or 3 inches), and operators must always carry the licence on board.
In Saskatchewan and all other Canadian provinces, Pleasure Craft Licences issued in 2010 or after are valid for ten years. However, you’ll need to update it with any name or address changes.
Boat Safely When In Saskatchewan
After registering a boat in Saskatchewan, you’ll still need to take care of one more thing!
Every boater in Canada must carry a Pleasure Craft Operator Card to operate any motorized pleasure craft (whether fishing, jet skiing, or simply hanging around). To obtain your Pleasure Craft Operator Card in Saskatchewan, you’ll need to take a boating safety course such as BOATsmart!’s — and we’re pretty big fans of fun education.
With BOATsmart!, you’ll learn with an engaging curriculum and lessons that are fully narrated and animated. You’ll also have access to every piece of information you need to be a safe, legal Saskatchewan boat operator.
Plus, your Pleasure Craft Operator Card is valid in every province in Canada — so you can jet ski, fish, and boat no matter where you might be. So, take the course, get your license (and your boat’s license), then hit the water safely this season!
Originally published October 14, 2021. Content most recently reviewed and updated for recency and accuracy August 23, 2024.
