Depends on the state
Florida Will and does pop you for doing exactly what you are proposing....
From the FLA web site.
Titling of Dinghies
A dinghy, not in the water, does not have to be titled/registered if it is used for emergency
purposes. WARNING: the FMP and other law enforcement agencies routinely ticket dinghy
owners who are caught using their unregistered dinghy to go from shore to their vessel.
Since most dinghies have engines, they would have to be titled and REGISTERED,
regardless of the length of the craft or regardless of the fact that they may be rubberized
rafts.
In 2008 It looked like this list. With Phone numbers so you can check yourself.
State Reciprocity Validation Decal Required for Documented Boats
Alabama
(334) 242-3673, #4 90 consec Yes, if used for pleasure
Alaska
(907)463-2297 90 days No
Arizona
(602)942-3000 90 days No
Arkansas
(501)223-6378 90 days No
California
(916)657-8013 120 days No
Colorado
(303)791-1954 60 days No
Connecticut
(860)566-1556 60 days Yes
Delaware
(302)739-3498 60 consec No
Washington D.C.
(202)727-4582 6 months Yes
Florida
(850)488-4676 90 days Yes
Georgia
(770)414-3337 60 consec Yes
Hawaii
(808)587-1970 90 days No
Idaho
(208)334-4180 x279 60 consec No
Illinois
(217)782-2138 60 days Yes
Indiana
(317)233-5096 60 consec Yes
Iowa
(515)281-6579 60 days Yes
Kansas
(316)672-5911 x127 60 days No
Kentucky
(502)564-3074 Not req'd if not perm resident No
Louisiana
(504)765-2898 90 days No
Maine
(207)287-5209 60 days No
Maryland
(410)260-3220 30 days Yes
Massachusetts
(617)727-3900 60 consec No
Michigan
(517)322-1460 60 days Yes
Minnesota
(612)296-2316 90 consec No
Mississippi
(601)432-2068 60 days No
Missouri
(314)751-4509 60 consec Yes
Montana
(406)846-6000 90 consec No
Nebraska
(402)471-0641 60 consec No
Nevada
(775)688-1511 90 days No
New Hampshire
(603)271-2333 30 consec Yes
New Jersey
(609)292-6500 180 days Yes
New Mexico
(505)827-0612 Not req'd if not perm resident Yes
New York
(518)474-0445 90 days Yes
North Carolina
(919)662-4373 90 days NO, but can
North Dakota
(701)328-6300 Req'd if primary use (6 mos) No
Ohio
(877)4-BOATERM 60 consec Yes
Oklahoma
(405)521-3221 60 days Yes
Oregon
(503)373-1405 x254 60 days Yes
Pennsylvania
(717)657-4551 60 days Get valid decal, pay fee every 2 yrs.
Rhode Island
(401)222-6647 90 days Yes
South Carolina
(803)762-5034 60 consec No
South Dakota
(605)773-3541 90 days No
Tennessee
(615)781-6618 60 consec Yes
Texas
(800)262-8755 90 consec Yes
Utah
(801)297-750 14 days Yes
Vermont
(802)828-2000 Valid. sticker 30-90, reg. after 90 Yes
Virginia
(804)367-1000 90 days No
Washington
(360)902-3770,#5 60 consec, then apply 2x for 60 day permit Yes, if used in federal wtrs.
West Virginia
(304)558-5351 60 days No, but can
Wisconsin
(608)266-2141 60 consec Yes
Wyoming
(307)777-4683 90 consec No
Guy