Boat registration
Registration with Yachting New Zealand is a once-only for boat owners. If ownership of a boat changes, the onus is on the new owner to re-register the vessel in their name.
How do I register my boat?
Before you can register your boat, you need to create a user login. If you already have a login, please login to the website.
Change of ownership or new boat registration?
- Change of ownership
Use this to change the ownership details of a boat that is already registered with Yachting New Zealand.
- New boat registration
Use this to register a boat that has not been previously registered with Yachting New Zealand; the boat will be issued with a sail number
Online boat registration and change of ownership form
Why register your boat with Yachting New Zealand?
Registering your boat with Yachting New Zealand helps ensure your boat is properly identified, eligible for racing, and connected to important safety and administration records.
Racing eligibility
To be eligible to race, keelboats, trailer yachts and multihulls must hold a current certificate of registration.
Under RRS 76.1 Yachting New Zealand Prescription, organising authorities shall not accept entries from keel, trailer or multihull boats which are not registered with Yachting New Zealand or with their national authority, or with their International Class Associations in the names of the current owners, and such boats shall not be entitled to race.
A registered boat is also issued a sail number, which helps distinguish it from other boats on the water and in race records.
Current registration also links your boat to other Yachting New Zealand services and records, including:
- PHRF national handicaps
- Safety certification, including Categories 1–3
- ownership and boat identification records
Safety and emergency support
Boat registration is strongly encouraged for both recreational and racing boats for safety and security reasons.
Up-to-date registration details can help Yachting New Zealand, clubs, event organisers and rescue authorities quickly identify and trace a boat in the event of theft, mishap, or a serious maritime emergency.
Boat owners are asked to keep Yachting New Zealand informed of any changes to ownership, contact details, boat name or other key information. This helps ensure records remain accurate and useful when they are needed most.
Have you sold your boat?
If you have sold your boat and wish to have your name removed as the registered owner, please send the details to the boat registrar at Yachting New Zealand.
Please tell us boat name, sail number, your name and the new owners name and email address (if you know it).
Change of boat name?
If you want to change the name of an already registered boat that you own, please send the details to the boat registrar at Yachting New Zealand.
How long does it take to process an application?
Boat registration and change of ownership applications can take up to 15 working days to be processed.
Sail numbers and registration fees (GST inclusive)
You pay once - the fee is not an annual fee
Change of ownership / change of boat name - $75.00
For both if completed at the same time, otherwise $75.00 each.New boat or previously unregistered - $120.00
Previously unregistered vessels will be issued with a standard sail number which is the next consecutive registration number.
Personalised number - $400.00
Owners may choose a personalised sail number, subject to availability. For details on available numbers please phone Yachting New Zealand 09 361 1471 or email the Boat Registrar.Trailer yachts
A sail number for trailer yachts cannot be granted until rule 4.4 of the trailer yacht safety regulations has been complied with. Complete the online boat registration form and a sail number will be issued subject to NZTYA approval.
Choosing a boat name
The Yachting New Zealand register of vessels lists alphabetically the names of all registered boats. Duplicate or phonetically similar names cannot be registered for safety reasons. If the name you choose has already been taken, it is possible to add I, II, III to distinguish between boats.
View the list of boats that are already registered or contact Yachting New Zealand.
The Yachting New Zealand Register of Vessels
The register of vessels held at Yachting New Zealand is a complete list of nationally-registered boats. The online register contains information on ownership of all Yachting New Zealand-registered keelboats, multihulls and trailer yachts including:
Sail number
Boat name
Owner name
Heading offshore - Ship registration Part B (Maritime New Zealand)
If a vessel is New Zealand-owned and is planning on going overseas, it must be registered.
Ship registration provides nationality. A registered ship that travels overseas has the protection of the New Zealand government. The registration papers provide proof of identity.
To determine whether you need to register your ship and, if so, the type of registration you need to apply for, see the Maritime New Zealand website.
