Displaying Dinghy Bow Numbers?
- Thread starter ontherocks83
- Start date
Earlier you wrote:
I'm confused, do you have a motor or not? If you do, then you have to have registration numbers.
Our tender does not have a motor on it, period. I do have a five horsepower outboard, but it is not on the tender. Whenever I go ashore I row, so need to purchase a number. Splitting hairs, I suppose, but I stand by my statement. If some law enforcement official wants to tackle that one with me, I look forward to that day, eh, eh, eh.Earlier you wrote:
I'm confused, do you have a motor or not? If you do, then you have to have registration numbers.
It looks to my eye that even if I were to mount my five horsepower outboard on the tender, as long as the motor is less than ten horsepower, I do not need to purchase a decal. Maybe I need to put some number on the tender, but I'll do that some day when I have the time.
I'm making the distinction between purchasing a separate decal for the tender as opposed to scribbling our main vessel registration number followed by the number one on it. Maybe that is where I got confused or caused some confusion. My apologies if so.
This is consistent with my reading of the website, under 10 hp and used solely to get to and from shore, then it only needs the numbers of the mothership plus 1. However, if the dinghy was used to go between 2 anchored boats, a fishing trip, or sightseeing, then it would need the decal.
The thread had discussions of both the numbers and decals, therein lies some of the confusion.
BTW, have you noticed, no manufacturer makes a 10 hp outboard? 9.9 is as close as you can get.
In Southern Lake Michigan the Coast Guard didnt seem to care that my numbers and sticker was from a previous owner that lived in a different state than me. I handed them my old piece of paper stating that I paid. There was way more than enough time for DNR to send new registration info. Regardless, the only thing they did was give me a warning for expired extinguishers. If they didn't care about a 25' boat with wrong info on the side I doubt they'd give you issues with a dinghy
Krylon makes a spray paint specifically for plastic. Not sure if it would stand up to the UV but it adheres well and has a better finish than most spray paints
Krylon makes a spray paint specifically for plastic. Not sure if it would stand up to the UV but it adheres well and has a better finish than most spray paints
I would think that whatever glue and material is used to hold the inflatable together, could easily be adapted to gluing on bow numbers permanently.
-Will (Dragonfly)
-Will (Dragonfly)
Enforcement of registration numbers on dinks here in CA seems almost non-existant. True, the high majority of boaters in dinks display their numbers. Likely, an even higher number have registered the vessel but many of that number evidently don’t fuss with the decals and numbers for the reasons discussed already. So, I have the removable panels after having tried most of the other ideas mentioned. If I’m puttering around in a municipal harbor (i.e., where there is Harbor Patrol) doing the 5mph speed limit I slap ‘em on. If “out” at the islands or somewhere where there are no “enforcers” I just keep ‘em stowed in the dink along the tubes (usually out of the way). The plastic panels I have are 20 yr old. Just this year they have started to break. I’m having a new set made as I write, by a friend who does signage; sort of an X-mas treat for me.
Thirty something years of boating and I’ve been “pulled over” once in the dink. For excessive speed on the Manatee River in FL. Cited for not having a whistle.
Thirty something years of boating and I’ve been “pulled over” once in the dink. For excessive speed on the Manatee River in FL. Cited for not having a whistle
.
Last edited:
Registering a dinghy and displaying the decal and numbers is probably not a big issue until it becomes an issue. In case of an accident or some other untoward event, the boat owner might then be cited along with any other violations. I know of one case where a friend was cited for an unregistered dinghy, he was providing support a frostbite fleet, there was some other issue with the fleet, like too many boats sinking, the CG arrived and cited the support boat. I think they were trying to make a point. They were sailing Cape Cod Frostys which have an annoying habit of turning into submarines if you're not careful. See below.
Registration for my dinghy is $26.25 for 3 years. For less than $7 a year I am protected from the hassle of a citation for an unregistered boat.
Registration for my dinghy is $26.25 for 3 years. For less than $7 a year I am protected from the hassle of a citation for an unregistered boat.
I’m OK with the registration part. As you say, it’s not expensive. The display is a PITA for inflatables, in my opinion. If I did get stopped for that (not likely), I’d have the numbers and decals, and the registration, on board to show. Might still get a citation,.... but?
Last edited:
There's also a bit of a security risk if your dinghy's reg. number is the same as the mothership, where a would-be thief can know which anchored/moored vessel may be unattended.
Here in Michigan you are specifically allowed to put the registration stickers on the transom of an inflatable. It's even in the instructions for the stickers. Don't know if that's allowed in other jurisdictions though. The numbers are supposed to be "permanently affixed" and that would probably rule out plaques held on with zip ties. I don't think any LEO would stop you for that, but if he was already writing you up for something else, that's one more thing to put on the ticket. I've always painted mine on.
I have a long piece of plexiglass that I've put the sicker numbers that are tie to the bow lines used to carry the inflatable has worked well for years
Hey Will, I might try to staple my numbers on. Should work, eh?
Swell idea. Out-of-the-box thinking. Let us know how that works out for you.Hey Will, I might try to staple my numbers on. Should work, eh?