I realize that this topic was started a long time ago, but I just did some research on this since I have the same question.
Here's a link to a forum post that features a handy overview:
https://www.hobie.com/forums/viewtopic. ... on#p270996Title 29.1 (Game, Inland Fisheries and Boating), chapter 7 of the Virginia Code deals with boating. Some relevant details:
Quote:
§ 29.1-702. Registration requirements; display of numbers; cancellation of certificate; exemption.
A. 1. The owner of each motorboat requiring numbering by the Commonwealth shall file an application for a number with the Department on forms approved by it.
§ 29.1-703. Identification numbers required; decals
Every motorboat on the waters of this Commonwealth shall be numbered except those specifically exempt in § 29.1-710.
§ 29.1-700. Definitions.
"Personal watercraft" means a motorboat less than sixteen feet in length which uses an inboard motor powering a jet pump, as its primary motive power and which is designed to be operated by a person sitting, standing, or kneeling on, rather than in the conventional manner of sitting or standing inside, the vessel.
"Vessel" means every description of watercraft, other than a seaplane on the water, used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water.
§ 29.1-733.2. Definitions
[...]
"Watercraft" means any vessel that is used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water and is propelled by machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion, except:
[...]
3. A vessel that measures 18 feet or less in length along the centerline and is propelled by sail;
[...]
§ 29.1-733.3. Applicability (Article 2.1. Virginia Uniform Certificate of Title for Watercraft Act)
.
Subject to § 29.1-733.29, this article applies to any transaction, certificate of title, or record relating to a watercraft, even if the transaction, certificate of title, or record was entered into or created before July 1, 2014.
§ 29.1-733.5. Law governing watercraft covered by certificate of title.
A. The law of the state or other jurisdiction under whose certificate of title a watercraft is covered governs all issues relating to the certificate from the time the watercraft becomes covered by the certificate until the watercraft becomes covered by another certificate or becomes a documented watercraft, even if no other relationship exists between the jurisdiction and the watercraft or its owner.
B. A watercraft becomes covered by a certificate of title when an application for the certificate and the applicable fee are delivered to the Department in accordance with this article or to the governmental agency that creates a certificate in another jurisdiction in accordance with the law of that jurisdiction.
§ 29.1-733.6. Certificate of title required.
A. No person shall operate a watercraft subject to titling under this chapter unless the owner has applied to the Department for a certificate of title for the watercraft or has been issued a valid temporary registration certificate as provided for in § 29.1-703.1.
Therefore, under VA law a Hobie 18 (or 14, 16, or 17, for that matter) is not considered a watercraft. The H18 is considered to be 18 feet long and thus classified as a "vessel" and not a "watercraft". Should you encounter a law enforcement officer who would argue that the H18 may be a smidgen over 18 feet, rest assured that the according to the official Hobie Racing classification the hull length is in fact 5.48m - or 17.979 feet. Curiously, the VA code defines length as "length as measured along the centerline" (§ 29.1-703.1), which in the case of a cat would be several feet shorter than the hull length. Sounds like our elected officials didn't consider multi-hull situations when they wrote the law.
Either way, since the H18 measures under 18 feet and is propelled by wind-power I would conclude that there is no requirement to title and/or register it.
The trailer, of course, will need to be titled and registered.