California dinghy registration question

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flyguysocali

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Oct 9, 2008
2
Macgregor 25 Long Beach
Hello, newbie here to post but I've been a lurker for years. I am planning a weekend trip to Catalina island on my Mac25 (2nd trip) and i'm trying to make my dinghy legal. I noticed last time that everyone had CF numbers and rgistration stickers on theirs. My dinghy is Sevylor T68, probably the smallest and cheapest that can actually hold a gas engine. It serves its purpose well but it is not for regular use and thats all I needed. I'm trying to figure out how to register it or if it even qualifies. It does not have a USCG number or stamp, just a HIN number which is like a serial number? I purchased it used on craigslist and paid cash from a random person. I don't know if I can even register it, as the form for a vessel doesn't even really apply to this blow-up boat. Anyone have any ideas on if it can be tagged?

Thanks in advance for any ideas or help. :confused:
 
Rick D

Rick D

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Jun 14, 2008
7,182
Hunter Legend 40.5 Shoreline Marina Long Beach CA
If it's powered, it has to be registered. However, you are in a world of hurt, not having a bill of sale. I have done two things in the past:

1. I had a German inflatable I wanted to register, No title. I told the DMV clerk I had not registered it because I had not powered it. She registered it as 'home made'.
2. The second one I had I had not registered for years under the mistaken assumption I didn't have to for a documented boat. In that case, the clerk just said "since you just got the engine, you don't have to pay any back fees".

I'd just go to a good DMV or AAA and throw yourself on their creative mercy. Or, maybe better, go to one of those sleazy private DMV storefronts you see in some neighborhoods and give it a try. HOWEVER, I sincerely doubt you will have any problem in Catalina and wouldn't lose a minute's sleep unless you have a track record of being incredibly unlucky.

Good luck!
 
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flyguysocali

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Oct 9, 2008
2
Macgregor 25 Long Beach
Hey thanks for the info. I didn't have any problems the first time, however I was a little nervous because I only saw a few others untagged out of 50+. I might go in to AAA tomorrow and see what they come up with. The outboard on the dinghy is the same as my sailboat, so I dunno if that has any effect on it, probably not. I will probably just see what happens out there. At least this time I will have some NAV lights on it. :)
 
windward54

windward54

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Mar 12, 2008
557
Jeanneau 49 DS San Pedro, CA
I did the same thing with my dink. I got an inflatable thrown in on one of my boats. I didn't register it for a couple of years as it didn't have a motor. I went to DMV and was able to get a tag. Took going to a supervisor who knew what the rules were, but in the end I got the tags and didn't pay any penalties.
 
Allan12210

Allan12210

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Jan 22, 2008
1,661
Hunter 34 Alameda CA
The outboard has no effect. I bought my dinghy and motor as a combination package from Boat US online. When I went to the DMV the agent and I agreed on a price for the boat alone and that is what the use tax was calculated from since my receipt showed I had paid no tax (out of state purchase). Coincidentally, use tax is the exact same rate as sales tax.

As for your value, do you still have the Craig's list ad with the asking price? That will be an acceptable form of documentation for the value paid. Otherwise do an ebay search for a similar used boat and use that as representative of the current market value. Show that to the clerk. They should accept that. For every $100 you are only talking about $8.25 of tax they will collect. Give them the HIN number as it will go on your registration.
 
timvg

timvg

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May 10, 2004
276
Hunter 40.5 Long Beach, CA
We have ours registered, but I put on a portable sign with the numbers on it. When I've forgotten to put it on, I've been scolded in Avalon, but not at Two Harbors.
 
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Sailynn

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Sep 27, 2011
6
Catalina 22 Nevada City
Boats over 8 feet in CA are required to be registered with or without motor. Thats why the El Toro is 7 feet 11 inches because the guys who designed and built it did not want to pay fees. They key is if you put a motor on it no matter what the size, under 8 feet or over, you are required to have DMV registration. Also, if the boat doesn't have a BIN (Boat Identification Number) DMV will make one up. In all my dealings with DMV about boats without documentation, they want you to fill out their form (can't remember the form number) "Statement of Facts" explaining the circumstances of how you acquired the boat including any documentation on the value. They are usually very helpfull at DMV as they are "collectors" not "enforcement". Just my two cents worth.
 
Richard19068

Richard19068

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Jun 11, 2004
1,733
Oday 31 Redondo Beach
Sailynn said:
Boats over 8 feet in CA are required to be registered with or without motor. .
Click to expand
If it is a row boat it doesn't need to be registered. The 8 foot rule is for sail boats.

What to Register

  • Sail-powered vessels* longer than eight feet.
  • Powerboats.
  • Commercial vessels that weigh at least five tons, or are at least 30 feet long, must be registered with the U.S. Coast Guard.
*The state defines what constitutes a vessel.
What Not to Register

  • Any vessel propelled by oars or paddles alone.
  • Surfboards or sailboards.
  • A ship's lifeboat (does not include dinghies).
  • Vessels currently registered in another state (if used primarily outside California).
  • Vessels brought into California for racing.
 
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