license for the dinghy?

[centerline]

I have heard or read somewhere that a motorized dinghy does not need a license if it is only being used as a transport from ship/shore..... I have searched the web but havent found anything pertaining to this specific topic.... does anyone know where to find the provision for this, if it even exists?

under the general regulations, in oregon we are required to have license on any motorized or sail craft, regardless of size or composition....
but any craft that is oared or paddled does not need a license, regardless of size... (I think these rules are fairly standard thruout all the states)

 

[Winkfish]

Your state rules are going to govern. There are probably exceptions for out-of-state boats coming into Oregon, but they should be spelled out in the rules. Try calling the state department that registers boats.

 

[Buck420]

"I have heard or read somewhere that a motorized dinghy does not need a license if it is only being used as a transport from ship/shore....."

is a myth.

The regulations (for each state) are the regulations, as written.
If you are stopped by marine police and try to use the excuse that, this is .."only a tender for my vessel" .. you will quickly be informed that you are misinformed, as he hands you your ticket.

Come on, this is 21st century America... it's all about "revenue generation".
How do you think the locality raises the revenue to pay for the enforcement of their "regulations", if they don't fine you for not complying with their "regulations" ??

 

[shemandr]

Depends on the state. Some, like OH, require virtually anything that floats to be registered --even a canoe. Others, like NY, do not register non motorized water craft - so far as I know. Go figure.

 

[RichH]

Buck420 offers good advice .... these days its all about revenue income.

The dinghy rules for federally documented 'mother ships' is that such a (powered) dinghy without 'some' state registration numbers must display or be marked with a "TT mothership name" and is only to be used for direct on/off loading at a port ... not for pleasure cruising in the dinghy, etc. The TT marking means "tender to" (name of mothership).

States ignore such federal laws as this is an opportunistic revenue source for them, and require that any dinghy be registered in 'some' state ... and can be individually subject to the same state laws/rules for 'grace periods' for visiting / transient boats for 'sales tax', etc. purposes. Eg.: you only are permitted to have the dinghy AND the mothership in a state's waters for a certain amount of time ... and then you are required to pay their sales taxes or any difference between what you paid in sales taxes in your home state and the prevailing tax rate where you happen to be when you exceed that states 'grace period'. Some states have 'sojourner fees' applicable (~$1.30/ft. + registration fees for the sojourners permit) if you exceed that 'grace period', etc.

All this is contrary to federal laws for *federally documented* vessels, but states simply don't care as all they desire is 'tax revenue'. The cost to defend usually overwhelms/exceeds the cost of registration, etc. once you go beyond the time limit of individual states 'grace periods' for transient or 'visiting' vessels, etc.
BoatUS.com has such 'tax info' and listed 'grace periods' listed on their website in a 'government affairs' section. (BTW the same state tax rules apply to cars, trucks, aircraft, etc.)
Usually most states ignore dinghy tax liabilities and prefer to 'go after' the value of the mothership ... for now, but with the current situation of most state finances and deficits, it shouldnt surprise anyone that they will probably be soon going after dinghies, the value of the clothes you wear, the value of food and other personal effects, etc. that you have onboard, etc. Its all about 'tax revenue income'; and, pretty soon there will be so much tax complexity when traveling between states, that you will have to have a retained tax lawyer onboard at all times to constantly advise and defend you against aggressive 'tax piracy'.

 

[Lee Coller]

The dinghy rules for federally documented 'mother ships' is that such a (powered) dinghy without 'some' state registration numbers must display or be marked with a "TT mothership name" and is only to be used for direct on/off loading at a port ... not for pleasure cruising in the dinghy, etc. The TT marking means "tender to" (name of mothership).

Not according to the USCG FAQ page on Documentation: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#23

 

[Rick D]

I Went Around On This In CA...

...so, what I was told, after being cited years ago for having TT to... on the dinghy was that the exemption did not apply to inland waters. Well, that's the only place you would be using your dinghy. So, I registered it. I did research and it is true; not applicable in inland waters which are governed by state & local statutes and regulations.

 

[Kettlewell]

Years ago many states didn't bother with requiring registrations on small dinghies, even if motorized, but now almost every state does as far as I know. When I bought a boat in Vermont eons ago we just put the mother ship's registration numbers on the bow and it was good to go. As others have said, it is all about revenue, though for most dinghies it is a modest amount per year.

Here's what it says on the Oregon website:

Titling and Registration of Your Watercraft

All motorized boats, regardless of length or type, must be titled and registered in Oregon. Sailboats 12 feet and longer must also be titled and registered.

Registration and title fees and marine fuel taxes support boating facilities, marine law enforcement and boating safety education.

 

[knot smart]

in NJ i was alway told any boat with a motor had to be registered..even if it has an egg beater on th back...of course, i have a 12 v bottom aluminum that i never bothered to reg

 

[shemandr]

"Registration and title fees and marine fuel taxes support boating facilities, marine law enforcement and boating safety education."

That's what the state told us when they instituted salt water fishing licenses two years ago here in NY. As if we should be thanking them for collecting more money to spend for our benefit. I wonder where that money ended up?

 

[wetass]

It really does depend on the state.

Here in Washington, if your main boat is a state registered vessel, then IF you ONLY use the dinghy for going DIRECTLY to and from shore, you only have to put your state registration numbers on your dinghy with a "1" at the end. No registration required, just listing the main vessel numbers + the '1'. Oh, and it has to be under 10hp. TT/ would be used for documented boats.

BUT, who really uses their dinghy for only going DIRECTLY to shore? For the most part they are pretty lax on this requirement, but I saw someone cited for sightseeing in their unregistered dink and a dock neighbor got hit for ferrying their dog to the beach from the marina slip. If I remember right it was a couple hundred $ fine.

 

[petersea]

OK here is my take on this register the dink and pay the fee. In most cases it is very modest (my home state is $7.50 per year) By doing so it removes all the questions about "use" and it also give you an acceptable proof of ownership and in some states can be used to transfer. More positives to register it then negatives in my opinion.

 

[Dave Groshong]

I always thought if it had a motor, it had to be registered, unless it is TT, tender to a larger boat. If you don't register it, the police will never look for it if it's ever stolen.

 

[FastOlson]

The OP appears to live in Oregon. Motor boats, of whatever length, must be registered.
Other states will have their own rules.

http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/pages/index.aspx

 

[sinnettc]

The OP appears to live in Oregon. Motor boats, of whatever length, must be registered.
Other states will have their own rules.

http://www.oregon.gov/OSMB/pages/index.aspx

Yep, if it's got a motor it's got to be registered. In addition, no matter the size/type you must now pay an annual invasive species permit/fee/whatever of $7. That's included in the cost for regular registration and your sticker is the "proof" of payment. I think it's a card they give you for kayaks, canoes, etc.

CENTERLINE: I had to register my 9' inflatable because I put the old 2hp Johnson on it. Getting the letters/numbers to stick to the PVC has been tricky. You won't have that problem with yours.

 

[centerline]

thank you all.. this is how I thought it was, but when Im told different I had to find out... I have no problem paying the registration fees because I know for a fact that at least part of the money goes towards the improvement of the marine facilities.....

here in oregon they upgrade the launch facilities and improve the restrooms/showers.... then they hire more employees to help manage and maintain the facilities..... and soon they will be short of money again, but in the meantime the upgraded amenities are nice...

 

[Rich (P303)]

Don't forget the Mill-foil fee... fishing license... clamming license... lobster license... registration fee... excise tax... collision/liability insurance... excise tax... dingy fee... and personal property tax. If there's anything left... you can row out to your boat! On a positive note... documentation is free from the Coast Guard... they run a pretty tight ship.

 

[rpwillia]

Reminds me of this

Don't forget the Mill-foil fee... fishing license... clamming license... lobster license... registration fee... excise tax... collision/liability insurance... excise tax... dingy fee... and personal property tax. If there's anything left... you can row out to your boat! On a positive note... documentation is free from the Coast Guard... they run a pretty tight ship.

Rich, this should sound familiar. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M_eYSuPKP3Y

Piling on to what RichH said, the District of Columbia (yeah that cesspool) recently tried again to institute a commuter income tax on people who live in Virginia and Maryland and work in the District. It was quickly labeled "Taxation without Representation" which is pretty ironic as that is the motto on their license plates. From Virginia's perspective Maryland should just re-absorb them.

 

[Ron20324]

.. From Virginia's perspective Maryland should just re-absorb them.

RP, bite your tongue- we don't want them either. It'd be like taking in your grandkids that have already become spoiled rotten.

 

[dscribner]

In Maine, it it has mechanical parts to move it (less wind or muscle) you gotta register the thing. For us, I think it's 20 bucks, the price of a couple of pizzas or a mid-price bottle of wine. No biggie. And since we can do it on line, even less of a biggie.