Actually, that WI statute specifies "motorboat", so theoretically if you were in a canoe, kayak, rowboat, etc you should be OK.

Then again, I don't own a boat, tough I have been called a "motorboatin' S.O.B.".

Do you know the Wisconsin statues that say "motorboat"? Searching Wisconsin law is not very fun since they put every section in PDF.

According to <a href=http://www.legis.state.wi.us/LRB/pubs/wb/08wb16.pdf target=new>Wisonsin Briefs</a> from the Legislative Reference Bureau (page 5):

167.31 Safe use and transportation of firearms and
bows. (1) DEFINITIONS. In this section:
(a) “Aircraft” has the meaning given under s. 114.002 (3).
(b) “Encased” means enclosed in a case that is expressly made
for the purpose of containing a firearm and that is completely
zipped, snapped, buckled, tied or otherwise fastened with no part
of the firearm exposed.
(bg) “Family member of the landowner” means a person who
is related to the landowner as a parent, child, spouse, or sibling.
(bn) “Farm tractor” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (16).
(c) “Firearm” means a weapon that acts by force of gunpowder.
(d) “Highway” has the meaning given under s. 340.01 (22).
(dm) “Implement of husbandry” has the meaning given in s.
340.01 (24).
(e) “Motorboat” has the meaning given under s. 30.50 (6).
(em) “Peace officer” has the meaning given in s. 939.22 (22).
(et) “Private security person” has the meaning given in s.
440.26 (1m) (h).
(f) “Roadway” has the meaning given under s. 340.01 (54).
(fm) “Street” means a highway that is within the corporate limits
of a city or village.
(fr) “Transmission facility” means any pipe, pipeline, duct,
wire, cable, line, conduit, pole, tower, equipment, or other structure
used to transmit or distribute electricity to or for the public or
to transmit or distribute communications or data to or from the
public.
(g) “Unloaded” means any of the following:
1. Having no shell or cartridge in the chamber of a firearm or
in the magazine attached to a firearm.
2. In the case of a cap lock muzzle−loading firearm, having
the cap removed.
3. In the case of a flint lock muzzle−loading firearm, having
the flashpan cleaned of powder.
(h) “Vehicle” has the meaning given in s. 340.01 (74), and
includes a snowmobile, as defined in s. 340.01 (58a), and an electric
personal assistive mobility device, as defined in s. 340.01
(15pm), except that for purposes of subs. (4) (c) and (cg) and (4m)“vehicle” has the meaning given for “motor vehicle” in s. 29.001
(57).
(2) PROHIBITIONS; MOTORBOATS AND VEHICLES; HIGHWAYS AND
ROADWAYS. (a) Except as provided in sub. (4), no person may
place, possess or transport a firearm, bow or crossbow in or on a
motorboat with the motor running, unless the firearm is unloaded
or unless the bow or crossbow is unstrung or is enclosed in a carrying
case.

(6) "Motorboat" means any boat equipped with propulsion machinery, whether or not the machinery is the principal source of propulsion.

30.50(7)
(7) "Nonmotorized boat" means a boat which is not a motorboat but which is designed and constructed to be used as a boat for transportation of a person or persons on water. This term includes, but is not limited to, any canoe, sailboat, inflatable boat or similar device, row boat, raft and dinghy which is not a motorboat.

Does anyone know who I might actually pay for this legal advice?

All this speculation is driving me crazy, I'm getting out my wallet.

Does anyone know who I might actually pay for this legal advice?

All this speculation is driving me crazy, I'm getting out my wallet.