Washington State recreational boating programs

September 2024

Melanie Stidham, Team Lead
Ryan McCord, Audit Director | Eric Thomas, Legislative Auditor

JLARC published its first review of the state's recreational boating programs in 2010. In 2022, the Legislature directed JLARC to update the 2010 study (Operating Budget, ESSB 5187).

Recreational boating includes both motorized and non-motorized vessels  

Washington law does not define recreational boating. It defines recreational vessels as those owned or operated only for pleasure with no monetary gain. Recreational vessels are typically classified as one of two categories:

• Motorized recreational vessels include, for example, motorboats, sailboats that have a motor, personal watercraft such as jet skis, and yachts.
• Human-powered recreational vessels include, for example, kayaks, canoes, rafts, paddleboards, and nonmotorized sail boats.

Washington requires owners of most motorized recreational vessels to register their boats with the Department of Licensing. Exemptions include human-powered vessels and certain motorized boats under 16 feet long. The 2010 JLARC study reported 264,000 registered recreational boats in Washington. In 2023, there were 231,400.

The 2010 study addressed revenues, expenditures, and boating program administration

The 2010 study found that Washington collected $71 million in the 2007-09 biennium. The state spent $54 million on boating programs and activities.

The State Parks and Recreation Commission manages the state's primary recreational boating program. The Recreation and Conservation Office and the Departments of Ecology, Fish and Wildlife, Licensing, and Natural Resources also have responsibilities related to recreational boating.

Together, state agency programs and activities address boater safety and education, environmental protection, boating infrastructure and access, and marine law enforcement.

Study scope

This study focuses on state recreational boating programs. It does not include any commercial boating programs.

This study will address the following questions

Study questions define the scope of the audit, based on the study mandate. They reflect preliminary outreach, research, and analysis of potential racial equity considerations per RCW 44.28.076.

1. Between 2017 and 2023, how much revenue did the state collect from boating-related sources? What were the sources?
2. Between 2017 and 2023, how much did agencies spend for boating programs and activities?
3. Have the methods of administering state recreational boating programs changed since the 2010 JLARC study?
4. How are state agencies evaluating and addressing equity in their recreational boating programs and activities?
5. How do other states fund and administer their recreational boating programs?

What's next

• Preliminary Report: May 2025
• Proposed Final Report: July 2025

Study team

Melanie Stidham, Team Lead, (360) 786-5183
Ashley Trunnell, Research Analyst, (360) 786-5181
Sydney Romero, Research Analyst, (360) 786-7297
Rachel Luther, Project Research Analyst, (360) 786-7333