Marinas in Vermont

Confirm current requirements with the state agency before your trip. Rules and fees change every season.

• Boater Education Certificate

  Anyone born after January 1, 1974, operating a motorized vessel must possess a Vermont Boater Education Certificate or an equivalent certificate from another state or approved course. This includes personal watercraft (PWCs).

  Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department

• Vessel Registration

  All motorized vessels, including sailboats with auxiliary engines, must be registered with the Vermont Department of Motor Vehicles. Registration decals must be prominently displayed on the bow of the vessel. Non-motorized vessels like canoes and kayaks do not require registration.

• Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Prevention

  Boaters entering Vermont waters are required to take steps to prevent the spread of aquatic invasive species. This includes cleaning, draining, and drying boats and equipment before launching. Mandatory inspection stations may be in effect at certain access points, especially for Lake Champlain.

• Life Jacket Requirements

  All vessels must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved wearable life jacket for each person on board. Children under 12 years of age must wear a life jacket at all times while a vessel is underway, unless they are in a fully enclosed cabin or below deck.

• Personal Watercraft (PWC) Operation

  Specific regulations apply to PWCs, including age restrictions for operators (16 years or older), requirements for wearing a life jacket, and limitations on operating hours and distances from shore. Consult state regulations for full details.

1. 01

   1. Research Your Destination

   Match the water to the trip. Champlain means big miles and full-service marinas; the smaller lakes mean quieter days and shorter runs. Look into the shoreline towns too, they shape the trip as much as the water does.

2. 02

   2. Verify Boater Education & Registration

   Confirm every operator meets Vermont's boater education requirement. Bringing your own hull? Make sure the registration, Vermont or home state, is current, and check how reciprocity applies.

3. 03

   3. Plan Your Itinerary & Book Ahead

   Summer dockage goes fast. Lock in transient slips, moorings, or charter boats early, then chart the route with fuel stops, pump-outs, and the places worth lingering marked in advance.

4. 04

   4. Understand Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Protocols

   Clean, drain, and dry the boat and every piece of gear before it touches Vermont water. Some access points run mandatory inspections, know before you show up with a wet trailer.

5. 05

   5. Check Weather & Safety Gear

   Champlain turns fast, so read the marine forecast like it matters, it does. Count life jackets against heads on board and check the rest of the safety kit before you leave the dock.