Documentation/State Registration

[kloudie1]

Louisiana just revised the registration law that had let us who documented our vessels operate without State registration.. It was passed without our governor’s signature, since it was portrayed/summarized officially as “changing the definition of a motorboat” .. No prior notice was given to those affected, so there was no opposition to the bill.. Pretty sleazy money grab !! What it does, is to force me to register with the State and pay a $67 fee every three years (for a 34 foot boat); not a bunch, but this one ticked me off..
How many of you folks have to register with the state even though you are documented? Does the state force you to have the stickers and numbers on the bow of the vessel? Was the registration requirement enacted after you’d owned the boat for some years? (17 years in my case) The law went into effect on Aug 15, but the first notice people had was the letter requiring registration, which was dated Sept 29..
What yall think ??

 

[Bob V]

Same here in Washington

Documented vessels must register with the state. The only difference if your boat is a documented vessel is that you do not have to put the numbers on your bow, just the square sticker.

There are other advantages to having a documented vessel of course so we pay both the fed and the govenor.

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Each state deals differently with registrations

I know of no place you can get the breakdown in summary form.
Here in RI, it has always been a requirement to register regardless of whether the boat is documented. The only stipulation is that documented boats don't need to put the numbers on the bow.

In this economy, it shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that states are looking for revenue sources and us poor boaters (read - yachtsmen) are not going to get much sympathy or even consideration.

 

[windward54]

Re: Each state deals differently with registrations

Don't feel bad. California does not require registration if you are documented, but they do hit you with a personal property tax bill every August. The amount is based on your book-assessed value of your boat, and the county in which you keep your boat. This year, Los Angeles County hit me up for almost $1,200. I figure it was my contribution to help the Governator balance the budget.

And forget about the dink. You can paint t/t and your boat name until you are blue in the face and the Harbor Patrol will still ticket you. So that is registered. Good news was no personal taxes as there is no value left. So I only have to pay $10 every two years for that

 

[higgs]

Wisconsin and NY

Wisconsin requires a documented boat to be state registered.

The law in NY is unclear to me. It does require all boats operated in state waters for 90 consecutive days to be registered. I live in NY state, but have never operated my boat in the state for the 90 consecutive days as I often go to Canada on cruises. I do know a number of owners here who do not register their documented boats based on the wording in the law.

I did register mine as with an active border watch on Lake Ontario, I figure why mess with CG or border cops?

 

[DanoDano]

Texas

Same in Texas....no numbers....just the square

 

[Ken Palmer]

Checking into Custom?

Wisconsin requires a documented boat to be state registered.

The law in NY is unclear to me. It does require all boats operated in state waters for 90 consecutive days to be registered. I live in NY state, but have never operated my boat in the state for the 90 consecutive days as I often go to Canada on cruises. I do know a number of owners here who do not register their documented boats based on the wording in the law.

I did register mine as with an active border watch on Lake Ontario, I figure why mess with CG or border cops?

I don't understand... You live and you boat in New York but do not have it registered in New York? What do you say when the Canadian Customs and US Customs ask for your paperwork?

If you document your vessel and live in New York, you must also register it in New York and pay the registration fee. You do not place the registration numbers on the bow, but you must affix the registration decal.

Take a look at this link: http://www.boat-ed.com/abc/abc_specific_images/pdfs/ny_law.pdf