FYI on Documented Vessel Dinghy Registration

[Rick D]

Maybe some of you have been laboring under the same misunderstanding as myself and others. I had thought I did not need to register my tender for my documented vessel, just labeling it as Tender To (vessel name). Anyhow, after doing this for many years, my wife was stopped and the harbor patrol said that did not apply in inland waters (Alamitos Bay, SoCal). Anyhow, lots of people in our raft up were surprised since they'd been doing the same. When I got home, I read the Coast Guard website on documented vessels, and it says clearly that documentation does NOT cover the tender (in the Q and A's). So, I guess this is one of those boating urban legends.Now I get the joy of dealing with the Cal DMV trying to register one hard dinghy with no documentation and one e-bay purchased one likewise. Hope they cut me some slack. Rick D.

 

[Warren]

Documentation of tender

I would double check with the CG. My understanding is that the tender is not required to be registered as long as it used used as a "tender". According to the CG that means going from the ship to the shore. If thay catch you taking a scenic journey around the harbor, then they can write you up. I think most people use their dingies for other things other than the intended purpose. I have heard of the CG following unregistered dingies to see what they are up to. If they are being used for "joy riding" they get the summons. I have mine registered because we use it mostly for fun, and that does not meet the CG criteria.

 

[Rick D]

Was Exactly My Understanding, Warren

...and that's what the harbor patrol said was a 'common misconception'. In any event, the boat was in fact being used to service the yacht (bringing supplies back) so that wasn't the issue. Rick D.

 

[Ken Palmer]

Here in New York...

Any vessel that has an engine must be registered with the Motor Vehicle Bureau. If it just uses oars it doesn't. I have not heard that the documentation of the mother ship includs the dinghy. I suppose this rule would vary from state to state.We even have to register our documented sailboats with the state of NY, but we don't receive or have to display any registration numbers on the boat, just the registration decals.Ken Palmer, S/V Water Colors

 

[Stu Jackson]

So?

RickIt's like all of maybe $5 a year to register the dinghy. And the CA stickers are good for two years.Guess I just don't understand why urban legends keep winning over reading.Stu

 

[Rick D]

Right Stu...

...it was stupid of me to just listen to everyone else on this. Guess I didn't think it was an issue. Certainly wasn't the five bucks. However, I sure know I'm not alone on this, thus this post for other urban myth dwellers. Rick D.

 

[Tom S.]

Here is USCG link on Dinghy registration

for Documented Vessels.http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm#23IS THE VESSEL TENDER DOCUMENTED?Documentation of your vessel does not cover the vessel's tender or dinghy. These craft fall within the jurisdiction of the motorboat numbering laws of the state of principal use. Please contact your state agency that handles the registration or numbering of motorboats for further information.If you don't have an engine most states don't require dinghy registration.(Calif included)...when you got a motor all bets are off. In the old days most tenders were just rowed. Thats probably where the "urban legend" started.FYI in Calif.The following vessels do not have to be registered in California: ** Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles. Nonmotorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length. ** A ship’s lifeboat (a dinghy is not a lifeboat). ** Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state that are principally used outside California. ** Vessels brought into California for racing purposes only (exempted only during races and tune-ups). FYI in New JerseyBoats and marine equipment that do not have to be registered: **documented vessels operating in New Jersey waters for less than 180 consecutive days, or not based in New Jersey vessels from another country **public vessels of the United States or of a state or sub-division of the U.S. **ship's lifeboats **non-motorized vessels used exclusively on small lakes and ponds located wholly within private lands **racing vessels while racing under New Jersey State Marine Police permit **non-motorized inflatables, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes, and kayaks **non-motorized vessels less than 12 feet in length ps...My dinghy is registered. But I have an engine on it....if I didn't then I wouldn't register it

 

[dan]

in FLA

all vessels with a motor have to be registered, any sailboat less than 25 without a motor or any row boat or paddle boat does not. even documented vessels must display the sticker showing that the proper state tax has been paid. as someone stated before the "legend" was probally truth when dingies where all row boats.

 

[Tim Donley]

Life Boats

A few years ago I researched this subject to a final conclusion via USCG: A life boat does not require registration and may be labled as T/T vessel. Dingys do not fall into this catagory as they are not considered "Lifeboats" although we think of them and have depended on them as such. In use as a daily tender they are not used as lifeboats in an emergency situation.Save yourself some grief and properly register as required by your state.I isn't a bad idea to label on the inside of the dingy the mothership name/port or the Documentation #

 

[dave]

Eight Bucks

My 14 year old Achilles Inflatable (10'2") costs me eight bucks annually to register in Connecticut. Have we gotten so cheap that it is worth the aggravation to try to save 8 bucks a year? Note, this is only 2.2 cents per day. If you dig into your penney jar you can probably dig up the eight bucks, or scrounge a few cans out of your marina dumpster for the deposits.

 

[Tim Donley]

I agree with Dave

Yes some of our community are in the "cheap seats" but it is a pain to endure all beauracratis B.S. to document a tender that was inherited with your boat with out any paper work. In Florida if you have the last known owner you can put notice in the local paper for a given period of time after which you can apply for title. The local DMV can advise this procedure to you. I think its not a case of cheapness but the time and aggravation to invest to get to a starting point of properly regestering the tender. One thing for certain "T/T " is not valid for a dinghy.Tim

 

[dan]

Tim, it is easier

than that. just go down to the local tag office and tell the clerk you have this old row boat that has never been titled because it has never had a motor and that you want to put a little kicker on it and get it registered. they will hook you up no questions asked. all they want is the $$$$.