Liveaboards in Ga

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Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
I had someone tell me that you can no longer liveaboard in Georgia. Anybody got any info on this?
 
Sep 15, 2009
6,243
S2 9.2a Fairhope Al
i hadn't heard that as of yet ...but based on the powers that be and there dedication to the people of this state...that very well could be.....i find it hard to think that they would keep shunning commerce away be it so small or large.......

regards

woody
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
You probably didn't hear it right. They probably said, "Live on a BOAT? You CAN'T call that LIVING!".
 
Oct 22, 2008
3,502
- Telstar 28 Buzzards Bay
It may well be that you can't 'liveaboard', but they can not legally stop full-time cruisers. :D
 
Dec 2, 1997
8,913
- - LIttle Rock
Liveaboards have never been allowed on GA inland lakes, although marina managers tend to turn a blind eye to 'em because liveaboards are added security. However, if you dropped an anchor in a cove on a lake for more than week, the DNR would make you leave.

But that has nothing to do with GA coastal waters...and I haven't heard of any new rules pertaining live aboards in coastal waters.


I suspect that whoever told you that live aboards are no longer allowed in GA got his inland waters confused with coastal waters. Or, got 'em confused with a time about 15 years ago when the DNR cleaned out a bunch of floating "shanty towns" who were flushing directly overboard and even just tossing garbage overboard near the mouth of the Savannah river. Those communities made the slums of Calcutta look good by comparison!

However, if in doubt, give the GA DNR a call. They're actually pretty nice folks.

Btw...I lived in GA and kept my boats on Lake Lanier for 26 years and was also a consultant to the GA DNR.
 
Jun 25, 2004
146
Catalina 310 Hilton Head
yes it is....

I had someone tell me that you can no longer liveaboard in Georgia. Anybody got any info on this?
Just read a letter from a marina owner published in Waterside News (watersidenews.com) that states it is illegal to spend more than 30 days in a calendar year on your boat in Georgia waters. He says they are the only state in the southeast with this restriction.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
Re: yes it is....

Just to be picky I would ask if that is 30 consecutive days or 30 days in aggregate? 15 weekends a year would be the limit to your boating time in Georgia. Is that 30 days without setting foot on shore? Or is it days and nights or days at anchor?
What we have heard so far is too vague to be enforced.
 
Nov 22, 2008
3,562
Endeavour 32 Portland, Maine
Re: yes it is....

On a related topic, I have heard some horrible stories about the South Carolina tax laws. People having their boat seized for payment of 5% of it's value for taxes after staying longer than 30 or 90 days (I've forgotten which).

A story I heard directly was from someone who bought a boat in Florida. They stopped for a few day in Charleston while bringing it north and it was seized and tied to the dock because the former owner had been a S.C. resident and not paid taxes on it. He was able to track down the former owner and obtain documentation that the taxes had been paid. Between lawyers, staying a motel (he wasn't allowed to stay on or take care of the boat after seizure), and other expenses, it cost him nearly $10,000 by the time it was over. He could afford it. I would have lost my boat right there.

That was the end of my plans to spend any time in that part of the world.
 

RECESS

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Dec 20, 2003
1,505
Pearson 323 . St. Mary's Georgia
We keep our boat on a private lake in Georgia. There does seem to be some odd rules on public access inland waterways but they do not get involved on private lakes. There are some very large private lakes in Georgia that do not have public access. We do all of our coastal boating in Florida, the state is just more accommodating to sailors. It helps we only live 5 miles from Florida.
 
Jan 3, 2009
821
Marine Trader 34 Where Ever I am
It is against the law in Georgia to live aboard anywhere, and that includes coastal waters.

[FONT=Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif]Coastal Marshlands Protection Act 12-5-288
8) Occupying a live-aboard for more than 30 days during any calendar year; provided, however,
that the commissioner may grant extensions of time beyond 30 days to persons making a request
in writing stating the reasons for such extension. Owners of docks where live-aboards are
moored as well as owners and occupants of live-aboards are responsible under this part.
[/FONT]
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,498
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
The Cities Around Here have a Similar Law

Not sure if it is a state law or not but it is written the same so I suspect it is a state statuate
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
How can the Government place rules on living aboard a boat. Seems like it could be unconstitutional. Kind of violates the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. The government shouldn't be able to regulate where and how we live as it would be the government stepping into private lives too much. Are we still living in the United States of America?
 
Jan 22, 2008
8,050
Beneteau 323 Annapolis MD
Georgia could be in for a legal battle if they really declared that. The Federal Government (IRS) recognizes a boat as a second home.
 
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May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
THis is true. Think about the fact that the Government can't infringe on our rights unless we are infringing on the rights of others. Sometimes laws are made but when they are put on the books and enforced they will be declared unconstitutional.

I would argue that a private business could say that you can't live aboard at their marina but a government couldn't say that you can't live aboard. If you are following the proper laws and not creating environmental distress, then I can't see where they could regulate it any further.
 

Ross

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Jun 15, 2004
14,693
Islander/Wayfairer 30 sail number 25 Perryville,Md.
If you were in violation of sanitary laws then they could enforce laws that apply. But you could pich a tent on a raft with a composting toilet on board and be in compliance as long as you didn't throw your garbage into the water.
 
May 23, 2004
3,319
I'm in the market as were . Colonial Beach
I agree Ross. If you were dumping trash where you are supposed to and pumping out the head the way you are supposed to then they should be able to see nothing. If you are anchoring in appropriate places that is also something to consider.

If you are at a private marina and the owners don't mind, then why should the government say anything? It isn't their business how and were we live as long as we are good stewards of the earth (that really sounds Tree-Hugger-ish).
 
Jun 2, 2004
3,498
Hunter 23.5 Fort Walton Yacht Club, Florida
We Need to be Careful

Congress may buy out all the boat manufacturers then require everyone to buy a boat
 
Oct 2, 2006
1,517
Jboat J24 commack
Well the whole clean water act gets used a LOT

Up this way on the CT side of the sound there is some live abroad On the Long Island side you best be discrete and hope nobody complains

Apparently it makes people feel like there doing soemthing about pollution by restricting boats because its simple compared to doing anything about land runoff

houseboats have been chased out all but a very few places , its gone through the courts and those really were HOMES
 
Sep 29, 2008
1,936
Catalina 310 #185 Quantico
Friends and their obsessions

The way things are most of my friends say they can't stop by Wal-Mart without buying a box of ammo - just in case. Sounds like Georgia just has too much time on their hands like Obama, Pelois, Reid, Maryland, Virginia, ...
 
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