Anyone displaying their boat registration on a placard attached to the bow rail vs. sticking on the hull?
Boat Registration Display
- Thread starter sail sfbay
- Start date
If the boat is USCG Documented, then state registration numbers can not be displayed. Problem solved. 
Interestingly a check of a few US states indicates the registration numbers must be "affixed to both sides of the bow" but does not specifically say affixed to the hull.
They usually specify spacing too, with a clearly discernible space between the state abbreviation, the number, and the letters at the end, i.e.,
XX 1234 YY not XX1234YY.
@sail sfbay is your boat documented?
Ayuh. I mounted peel and stick #'s and mounted them on scraps of 1/4" lexan with a few holes to wire tie them on.
Easy. I've never been boarded on the coast of Maine in nearly 30 years so I can't say for sure, they're legal.
I guess you could interpret KS requirements differently. I've only seen them in the hull.
Where do I attach the registration decals and assigned numbers?
Your assigned number must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward top half of the boat. Numbers must be vertical block characters at least three inches tall that read from left to right. They must contrast with the background color and be distinctly visible and legible. Spaces or hyphens equal to letter width must separate letter groupings and numeral groupings.
Your assigned number consists of the prefix letters KA, one to four numerals and two suffix letters. For example: KA 123 AA or KA-123-AA.
A registration decal will also be issued. This expiration decal remains on your boat for the duration of the three-year registration period. Attach the decal as instructed on the back of the renewal decal.
Registration decals are displayed three inches aft of the assigned number on each side of the boat. Boats registered in Kansas must display only current registration decals. Sailboards shall have the decal attached to the front half of the top of the sailboard. The registration numbers are not required to be displayed on the sailboard.
Where do I attach the registration decals and assigned numbers?
Your assigned number must be painted or permanently attached to each side of the forward top half of the boat. Numbers must be vertical block characters at least three inches tall that read from left to right. They must contrast with the background color and be distinctly visible and legible. Spaces or hyphens equal to letter width must separate letter groupings and numeral groupings.
Your assigned number consists of the prefix letters KA, one to four numerals and two suffix letters. For example: KA 123 AA or KA-123-AA.
A registration decal will also be issued. This expiration decal remains on your boat for the duration of the three-year registration period. Attach the decal as instructed on the back of the renewal decal.
Registration decals are displayed three inches aft of the assigned number on each side of the boat. Boats registered in Kansas must display only current registration decals. Sailboards shall have the decal attached to the front half of the top of the sailboard. The registration numbers are not required to be displayed on the sailboard.
My current and most of my boats are/were USCG documented, albeit my waterski boats and my first sailboat were state registered.
If your original question was about a documented vessel, then federal law prohibits the display of state registration numbers.
Here's what BoatUS has to say:
Registration Requirements: BoatUS Foundation
The BoatUS Foundation provides this study guide to not only help with passing our free online boating safety course, but to provide a knowledge base for anyone wanting to learn about boating.
There was no question, I only provided the forum a state registration display option and I see TomY displays that way.
They are too easily stolen. On my almost new boat, the dealer hung them from the pulpit with good wire ties like you have. First time out in 16 knots, one blew off to Neptune.
DMV regs say "Permanently attached" don't know if zip ties qualify but it would take a small minded "Barney Fife" to cite you for it.
What Are the Regulations for the Vessel Registration Number?
The vessel registration number (CF number) issued by the department must be displayed as follows:
Example: CF 1234 AB
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/boatsinfo/boatreg
What Are the Regulations for the Vessel Registration Number?
The vessel registration number (CF number) issued by the department must be displayed as follows:
- Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel.
- Be in plain vertical block characters of not less than three inches in height.
- Be arranged so that it it reads from left to right.
- Contrast with the color of the background so that it is distinctly visible and legible.
- Have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter other than "I" or a number other than "1" between the prefix and the number, and the number and the suffix. See the example below.
Example: CF 1234 AB
https://www.dmv.ca.gov/portal/dmv/detail/boatsinfo/boatreg
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,884
While numbers are not displayed (primarily because if the boat is USCG documented there’s are no star issued numbers), the little colored date sticker does need to be displayed. At least in the waters of Washington. They require foreign boats who stay more than 120 days in THEIR WATERS to buy a use fee permit. The cost of the permit is the same value as the sales tax cost of the boat. There is no escaping the Revenue Man!
From what I was trained to doing Vessel Exams for the Coast Guard Auxiliary it is not correct and subjects you to a citation. Most of the guys out patrolling the water probably have better things to do than to bother with this. A better question might be, "Why give them a reason to stop you?".
How is this determined? If I were planning to sail a foreign vessel to Washington and stay for an extended period of time, should I first sell my boat to my brother and then buy it back for a dollar? Then I'd have a bill of sale to use in determining the sales tax value that I could afford. Otherwise, as the cop told the homeless guy trying to take a nap on the park bench, I better move along and spend my marina dollars in another state.
-Will (Dragonfly)
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 22,884
Oh the Revenue Man thought of that one. You can carry in your bill of sale for that $300,000 boat and say it was on special for $1,000. If they think it is too low valued, they look to their estimates and tell you "Here is the boat value, and here is the tax/User Fee". You can then take them to court to prove you are right. Good Luck...
Adding to the thread drift.....
At some point in time a boat is no longer a visiting or transient boat in a state where it is not registered. It becomes a boat kept in that state. To the extent that the boat registration and taxes support maritime services, it is only fair to pay those taxes and support the services. Why should WA tax payers and boaters support the services I use with my NY registered boat when I keep my boat in WA?
At some point in time a boat is no longer a visiting or transient boat in a state where it is not registered. It becomes a boat kept in that state. To the extent that the boat registration and taxes support maritime services, it is only fair to pay those taxes and support the services. Why should WA tax payers and boaters support the services I use with my NY registered boat when I keep my boat in WA?