Something similar can be done in Brazil.

There are fishermen and native americans who build traditional boats large enough to require registration. Specific rules for such handcraft boats allow anyone to register a self made vessel, provided that a registered naval engineer fills the papers certifying stability, seaworthiness, tonnage, crew number and the like. The engine's invoice is the only other requirement, when there is an engine, naturally.

Simple and fair requirements like this tend to work well: local engineers are familiar with traditional designs in their area and charge nominal fees for taking a look at the boat and signing the papers.

Boats are registered in the same naval department where stolen boats are reported, where captain licenses are issued and the like, so the system is reasonably safe against frauds.