What is the difference between a licensed vessel and a registered vessel?
Registration is a procedure for documentation of ownership or title. Licensing is a procedure which identifies a vessel as having paid sales tax in a province or territory and does not necessarily imply ownership or title. It’s all too easy to buy a licensed boat and have the police come and take it away. There’s no easy way to check the ownership trail, liens on the boat, or if it’s stolen (check with the police at the very least). Licensing is not really the norm for expensive vessels, as owners usually wish to obtain clear title and proof of ownership that comes with registration. A licence is simply a piece of paper which allows you to go on the water; it has absolutely nothing to do with proof of ownership. You do not need to prove you own the boat to get a licence — and boat thefts are rumoured to be in the area of 15% of inventory in Canada. And what of banks and finance companies chasing their security. A standard 36 foot and up cruiser with good interior living accomodations
