I have always heard that documented vessels were allowed to have a tender to commute to and from the the documented vessel without having to register the vessel as a seperate vessel in whate4ver state they happen to be in. Do any of you sea lawyer's know the answer to that one and can you qoute me the appropriate law or CG reg??? Don Of Shaman
- Status
coast guard site
Your answer is from the Coast Guard site linked below. IS 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
Your answer is from the Coast Guard site linked below. IS 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
State regulations
The concept of tender needing no registration is a misconception. How do I know? I purchased a used dinghy and outboard from a friend who had a newer and better dinghy. He had never titled the dinghy as he referenced the tender-not-needing-registration. Well, it took 2 1/2 months to get title and registration. He had to provided a signed affadivit with a pretty good reason why he had never titled the boat. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires both the dinghy and the outboard engine to be titled seperately.
The concept of tender needing no registration is a misconception. How do I know? I purchased a used dinghy and outboard from a friend who had a newer and better dinghy. He had never titled the dinghy as he referenced the tender-not-needing-registration. Well, it took 2 1/2 months to get title and registration. He had to provided a signed affadivit with a pretty good reason why he had never titled the boat. The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department requires both the dinghy and the outboard engine to be titled seperately.
In Florida you have to register the dink...
irrespective of size if you use a motor for propulsion. If you want to row you would not need to if the boat is under 10-12 ft. There is an exception that applies to a motorized dink to be used only in case of emergency. If your boat capsizes you may legally operate your motorized dink without registration to transport the crew to safety. However you will be hard pressed to make a claim that transporting two cases of beer constitutes an emergency. Dinks are not included in a boats registration or documentation and are subject to state law. Check the Florida requirements wich you may find on line and be careful how you interpret them. In the Florida Keys, especially in the Dry Tortugas Marine Patrol makes a living ticketing unregistered dinks. The flip side is that the registration is very inexpensive and discourages theft with the numbers painted on the hull. So if you are going to use a motor why not register the dink?
irrespective of size if you use a motor for propulsion. If you want to row you would not need to if the boat is under 10-12 ft. There is an exception that applies to a motorized dink to be used only in case of emergency. If your boat capsizes you may legally operate your motorized dink without registration to transport the crew to safety. However you will be hard pressed to make a claim that transporting two cases of beer constitutes an emergency. Dinks are not included in a boats registration or documentation and are subject to state law. Check the Florida requirements wich you may find on line and be careful how you interpret them. In the Florida Keys, especially in the Dry Tortugas Marine Patrol makes a living ticketing unregistered dinks. The flip side is that the registration is very inexpensive and discourages theft with the numbers painted on the hull. So if you are going to use a motor why not register the dink?
TEXAS "Yes"
In the Great State of Texas, you do have to register your dink if it has a motor. One more way for them to get you. Used to be that in Texas any "Documented Vessel" did not have to be registered, that changed when The State realized they were losing money. Now you have to register and display the little 4" square registration sticker or Texas Parks and Wildlife will sock it to you!!!! But, I suppose as long as the moneys go to better our waters I am okay with it.
In the Great State of Texas, you do have to register your dink if it has a motor. One more way for them to get you. Used to be that in Texas any "Documented Vessel" did not have to be registered, that changed when The State realized they were losing money. Now you have to register and display the little 4" square registration sticker or Texas Parks and Wildlife will sock it to you!!!! But, I suppose as long as the moneys go to better our waters I am okay with it.
CT requires for motorized
Though we have the answer to the original question, we seem (as usual) to be putting together a pretty broad picture of different states' practices. Connecticut requires registration if the dinghy is motorized (mercifully, though, we're spared the Texas variation of registering the motor separately) but it's only about $9 a year, cheaper than just about anything else relating to a boat.
Though we have the answer to the original question, we seem (as usual) to be putting together a pretty broad picture of different states' practices. Connecticut requires registration if the dinghy is motorized (mercifully, though, we're spared the Texas variation of registering the motor separately) but it's only about $9 a year, cheaper than just about anything else relating to a boat.
principle use test
with all due respect to the other posts, I believe they are incorrect or incomplete. while documenting your vessle doesn't document or register your dinghy the real question is are you required to seperately register your dinghy. the CFRs set out the rules and qualifications for documentation. a federally documented vessle must comply with fed law, and state law where it is not inconsistent with fed law. the supremacy clause. historically vessles that plied the high seas and needed protection from the registration and taxing authority of each country and eventually state they visited thus one of the reasons for documentation. a state may require registration and tax the value of your dinghy depending on its use. but a state rule registering or taxing all dinghies would, in my opinion, be inconsistent with federal law. historically large documented vessles needed a way to get to shore to conduct the business of the vessle without being subject to the taxes of the countries and states. thus comes the use test, if the principle use of your dinghy is to transport you and goods to and from your vessle I believe it is exempt. there are some size limitations, if your dinghy is bigger than your boat it cannot meet the requirement to serve the master vessle. if your dinghy is used to fish or sight see there may be a problem and if you never leave the waters of a single state you may have a problem but again if you must register and/or pay a tax on the master vessle and the dinghy is a servant to the master it is likely exempt. I have argued the CFRs in 2 states in either a taxing or registration context successfully. I can however, demonstrate the dinghy's use and that it goes with the vessel and I sail in the territorial waters of several states and foreign countries and I am documented to a land locked state where I maintain a residence so my dinghy by definition cannot be used in home state waters for fishing or something like along those line.
with all due respect to the other posts, I believe they are incorrect or incomplete. while documenting your vessle doesn't document or register your dinghy the real question is are you required to seperately register your dinghy. the CFRs set out the rules and qualifications for documentation. a federally documented vessle must comply with fed law, and state law where it is not inconsistent with fed law. the supremacy clause. historically vessles that plied the high seas and needed protection from the registration and taxing authority of each country and eventually state they visited thus one of the reasons for documentation. a state may require registration and tax the value of your dinghy depending on its use. but a state rule registering or taxing all dinghies would, in my opinion, be inconsistent with federal law. historically large documented vessles needed a way to get to shore to conduct the business of the vessle without being subject to the taxes of the countries and states. thus comes the use test, if the principle use of your dinghy is to transport you and goods to and from your vessle I believe it is exempt. there are some size limitations, if your dinghy is bigger than your boat it cannot meet the requirement to serve the master vessle. if your dinghy is used to fish or sight see there may be a problem and if you never leave the waters of a single state you may have a problem but again if you must register and/or pay a tax on the master vessle and the dinghy is a servant to the master it is likely exempt. I have argued the CFRs in 2 states in either a taxing or registration context successfully. I can however, demonstrate the dinghy's use and that it goes with the vessel and I sail in the territorial waters of several states and foreign countries and I am documented to a land locked state where I maintain a residence so my dinghy by definition cannot be used in home state waters for fishing or something like along those line.
Monty, You May Be Right, But
...for a few bucks a year, no one is going to file a class suit in federal court to make that determination. Meanwhile, there are lots of harbor patrol perfectly willing to issue violations as they've been instructed. And, the USCG isn't going to help out. RD
...for a few bucks a year, no one is going to file a class suit in federal court to make that determination. Meanwhile, there are lots of harbor patrol perfectly willing to issue violations as they've been instructed. And, the USCG isn't going to help out. RD
Rick- cost benefit
you make a good point. people often comply with regulations because it isn't worth the time or money to be right. it became an issue for me because more than one entity wanted money out of me.
you make a good point. people often comply with regulations because it isn't worth the time or money to be right. it became an issue for me because more than one entity wanted money out of me.
Law of operating area
Monty To finish you thought, you would need to know all the laws for operation of boats/dinks, in all the waters in which you operate. Exapmle, if I operate an inflatable in NJ without a motor I do not need to be registered. However if I put a motor on it, it needs to be registered, not necessarily in NJ, any state would work. This can change from state to state (boat size, motor, motor size, ect), so one would need to conform to the strickest rule to CYA. You would most likely not fair very well trying to explain to the police in MD that you don't need to register you tender boat because your from Utah, but it might make a good comedy skit.
Monty To finish you thought, you would need to know all the laws for operation of boats/dinks, in all the waters in which you operate. Exapmle, if I operate an inflatable in NJ without a motor I do not need to be registered. However if I put a motor on it, it needs to be registered, not necessarily in NJ, any state would work. This can change from state to state (boat size, motor, motor size, ect), so one would need to conform to the strickest rule to CYA. You would most likely not fair very well trying to explain to the police in MD that you don't need to register you tender boat because your from Utah, but it might make a good comedy skit.
PS Doc does not mean no registration
Just because a boat is Documented does not mean it doesn't need to be registered in the state of use. If a boat spends more than, I believe it is 6 months, in MD waters you must register and obtain a use sticker, the same as a annual/biannual registration sticker but your numbers are the USCG doc #'s instead of state issued #'s. While it may be a bit more difficult, via observation, mooring records, ect., they can fine you if they prove (guilty until proven innocent) you operated in MD water for a prolong period of time with out a sticker. The purpose being they want the 6% sales tax or what ever is left of it from the purchase.
Just because a boat is Documented does not mean it doesn't need to be registered in the state of use. If a boat spends more than, I believe it is 6 months, in MD waters you must register and obtain a use sticker, the same as a annual/biannual registration sticker but your numbers are the USCG doc #'s instead of state issued #'s. While it may be a bit more difficult, via observation, mooring records, ect., they can fine you if they prove (guilty until proven innocent) you operated in MD water for a prolong period of time with out a sticker. The purpose being they want the 6% sales tax or what ever is left of it from the purchase.
Missing an important distinction
Many have stated that in a certain state registration is required. An important distinction is that those requirements apply to boats either owned by state residents, or operated principally in that state's waters, or something along those lines. The definition of whether the states registration requirements apply varies state to state. Examples from Massachusetts: Q. I live in another state but sometimes boat in Massachusetts. Do I need to register and title my boat? A. Visiting boat owners who are registered in another state are allowed to boat in Massachusetts for up to 60 consecutive days without obtaining a Massachusetts registration and title. If you plan to keep the boat in Massachusetts for more than 60 consecutive days, you must obtain a Massachusetts registration and title certificate. Q. I have a small motorized tender to my Coast Guard documented or state registered vessel. Does this tender require a registration or can I label this boat "Tender To "? A. Any boat powered by an electric or gas motor must be state registered. Only ship lifeboats are exempt from registration. So here's my question. While in Edgardtown a few weeks ago we were anchored next to Eric Clapton's yacht Blue Guitar, hailing port London. It's a gorgeous, classic 105' motor yacht. He had at least two motorized tenders, one of which was a motorboat with wheel steering of at least 16'. Would Massachusetts expect that the tender be registered somewhere, like England? Likewise, what if you live in a state where it is not required that you register your boat, and visit Massachusetts? Arizon doesn't require registration for inflatables under 12', and Iowa doesn't require registration for any inflatable.
Many have stated that in a certain state registration is required. An important distinction is that those requirements apply to boats either owned by state residents, or operated principally in that state's waters, or something along those lines. The definition of whether the states registration requirements apply varies state to state. Examples from Massachusetts: Q. I live in another state but sometimes boat in Massachusetts. Do I need to register and title my boat? A. Visiting boat owners who are registered in another state are allowed to boat in Massachusetts for up to 60 consecutive days without obtaining a Massachusetts registration and title. If you plan to keep the boat in Massachusetts for more than 60 consecutive days, you must obtain a Massachusetts registration and title certificate. Q. I have a small motorized tender to my Coast Guard documented or state registered vessel. Does this tender require a registration or can I label this boat "Tender To "? A. Any boat powered by an electric or gas motor must be state registered. Only ship lifeboats are exempt from registration. So here's my question. While in Edgardtown a few weeks ago we were anchored next to Eric Clapton's yacht Blue Guitar, hailing port London. It's a gorgeous, classic 105' motor yacht. He had at least two motorized tenders, one of which was a motorboat with wheel steering of at least 16'. Would Massachusetts expect that the tender be registered somewhere, like England? Likewise, what if you live in a state where it is not required that you register your boat, and visit Massachusetts? Arizon doesn't require registration for inflatables under 12', and Iowa doesn't require registration for any inflatable.
- Status