Boat Registration number location - Ohio

[smp005]

OK Ohio guys...

Just read thru the book on placing my Reg numbers on the new boat.. 3" high, contrasting color and visible is all it says.. What is the consensus - on hull or on top cap?

Funny - I keep trying to envision where I see everyone's and I realize I don't pay that much attention to it...

My last boat they were on the top cap but they were there when I bough the boat...

[rhino1991]

Nearly all i see near Cincy is on the hull just below rub rail right in front of console

[jc2bg]

I can’t recall the last time I saw them on the top cap of a bass boat. Not saying you could never get called out on it, but if they are visible, above the waterline, from anywhere at right angles to the boat, you’re going to be in a sizable majority.

[crawdadking]

Just glanced through the boat pics in the Ohio Bass Club Forum and it looks like most of them are mounted below rub rail. Most you see in Indiana are below the rub rail also.

[mactlman]

below rail 4 inches behind numbers I believe

[Buck456]

I went through this when I bought my 20 trx in late 15. I've been checked and never had any complaints to where I put mine.

Screenshot_20180221-195509.jpg

[smp005]

I'm gonna put mine below the rub rail on the hull.... I don't want them on my top cap anyway but you would think they would be more visible there...

I'm having Iguana Grafix make me up 3" high white letters - The book say "contrasting" so I could use silver against my dark hull butI'm going white - No sense giving those guys any more reasons to annoy me...

[JHelms]

I have a Ranger bass boat and my numbers are on the hull, a bit below the rub rail. I've had on the water checks by both the Coast Guard and the DNR/DoW. They each confirmed this placement met regulations.

[Nightmare]

.... if they are visible, above the waterline, from anywhere at right angles to the boat .....

I call that the safest. I think your plan regards 'contrasting color' should work well, also.

That 'contrasting' thing can be somewhat subjective. Last boat I had was bright red on dark blue hull - one water officer in MI seemed to feel that wasn't gettin' it done. OH, TN, AL, GA didn't seem to have problems readin' 'em - nor a MI officer in the past 6 years. This boat I went white on green - made life simple. Another thing some get a little strung out on is when the characters get a little too "scripty"....rules do say "block".

[Jeff Hahn]

I call that the safest. I thing your plan regards 'contrasting color' should work well, also.

That 'contrasting' thing can be somewhat subjective. Last boat I had was bright red on dark blue hull - one water officer in MI seemed to feel that wasn't gettin' it done. OH, TN, AL, GA didn't seem to have problems readin' 'em - nor a MI officer in the past 6 years. This boat I went white on green - made life simple. Another thing some get a little strung out on is when the characters get a little too "scripty"....rules do say "block".

A couple years ago, there were a couple local watercraft officers who got their jollies by pulling over any bass boats on tournament day and writing them up for not having block letters.

[smp005]

A couple years ago, there were a couple local watercraft officers who got their jollies by pulling over any bass boats on tournament day and writing them up for not having block letters.

Yeah - I have heard that as well... I went with WHITE BLOCK letters on a BLACK hull - if they have issue with that, well..... I guess I would have to pass the issue to my attorney.......

[greendragon]

I also have a black hull and I used white block letters, I don't want the hassle.

[LTZ25]

My boat has a steep flair and you can't read #'s on it so I put them on my small center console and got called out by FMP , just a warning ticket .

[smp005]

My boat has a steep flair and you can't read #'s on it so I put them on my small center console and got called out by FMP , just a warning ticket .

Figures... we try to do the right thing... just can't win sometimes :-)

[smokin'dually]

Have had mine on top cap just in front of rope cleat for goino on 20 yrs and no issues

[Ohio Archer]

The back of the decal has a picture of proper placement. Make sure the numbers and letters are 6" from the registration decal.

[catch5]

I’m not sure I’ve ever saw them on the top cap. I know I wouldn’t want them there. Just below the rubrail is where 99.9% of them are

[Jazzy]

In Michigan here is how the law reads:
Number must be painted, decaled or otherwise affixed to both sides of bow
Number shall read from left to right
Number must be at least 3” high BLOCK letters
•Number’s color must contrast with its background
•Letters must be separated from the numbers by spaces or hyphens
•No other numbers may be displayed on either side of bow
•No other numbers may be displayed on either side of bow

Many of the nicer boats do have script decals that do look good and you may get away with them for a long time but, if the patrol boats are looking for probable cause to stop and see if you have been drinking that is a rock solid stop in court.
If you have any question, there are voluntary safety inspections held by Coast Guard Aux and Sheriff marine divisions where you can get it checked. If you have your safety inspection form with you it would be really hard for another officer to write a ticket. I always have my safety inspection sticker renewed each year. In our area (Ottawa County Mi) The sheriff patrol will not stop for safety inspection alone. They need a reason to stop you.

[PolarKraft195]

Nearly all i see near Cincy is on the hull just below rub rail right in front of console

^^^that^^^

[BrianC73]

They will also bust your chops in Ohio if there isn't enough separation between the letters and numbers. An officer explained to me that is so they can read them through binoculars at high speed. Otherwise they blur together.