USCG Registry versus State
- Thread starter Plymouth Sailor
- Start date
Interesting, ya learn something new everyday, our Sapphire is USCG documented and I still display the MI registration numbers, In casual conversation with a fellow member/sailor it was advised its better to leave the state numbers on in regards to the local sheriff as it would be less likely that they would want to inspect vessel documentation. I have learned thru this posting that this may cause heart burn with the USCG, I guess I should remove the numbers now before she goes back in the water this spring and just leave the registration tag on.
Sure would have been nice if MI was one of those states that didn't charge sales tax on owner transference, that would have saved us a bundle that is for certain.
Sure would have been nice if MI was one of those states that didn't charge sales tax on owner transference, that would have saved us a bundle that is for certain.
Last edited:
@BigEasy I don't know how you did it, bu you really screwed up the "quote" feature in that reply. 
Anyway, it's easy for state revenuers to check documented vessels, and they can even subscribe to doc changes if they want. They see a boar change hands to a state resident and they can go after you for sales tax. No need for anyone on the water.
Anyway, it's easy for state revenuers to check documented vessels, and they can even subscribe to doc changes if they want. They see a boar change hands to a state resident and they can go after you for sales tax. No need for anyone on the water.
You would need an incredible binocular for that, or to get right up next to, or even onto vessels for that.
I don't know, why is there no sales tax on boats in RI? It's a matter of policy.
Not correct. You don't register with MA. There is no decal to display. The title stays with the Coast Guard, and MA does not record the title.
Circling back on this, reply #2 contained a link to the Mass.gov boat registration FAQs - the "source" that you vaguely refer to, I think.Asking strangers on the internet vs asking the appropriate state agency....um, yeah, tough choice!
Good Grief, Skiper -- go to the Source (but do take good notes.)
If you ignore your state's laws/admin rules, the boaters on this site , no matter how well intentioned, are journeying to your house to pay your legal bills, NOT!
Boat Registration FAQs | Mass.gov
It is called the excise tax, and is payed to the town the boat is berthed in.Taxachusetts: Massachusetts has the 21st highest tax burden of all the states, Maine is 4th highest.
Interesting comparison chart, and thank you.
Gotta say, while my state, Oregon, looks pretty good, their column for sales tax show a number and we do not have any sales tax. OTOH, our local property taxes do vary by county, quite a bit. I live in a populous county with a higher-than-average property tax rate, so if that were factored in, "my Oregon" total taxation number might be higher than #27.
Oh well, we are settled in, and unlikely to relocate. So we just live with it. (As do the rest of you where you live, I am sure...)
Gotta say, while my state, Oregon, looks pretty good, their column for sales tax show a number and we do not have any sales tax. OTOH, our local property taxes do vary by county, quite a bit. I live in a populous county with a higher-than-average property tax rate, so if that were factored in, "my Oregon" total taxation number might be higher than #27.
Oh well, we are settled in, and unlikely to relocate. So we just live with it. (As do the rest of you where you live, I am sure...)
By the way, there are two of these threads, both started by you! Here's the other:
Coast Guard or Nationally Registered
That's considered poor form in a forum like this. Maybe an honest mistake.
Regardless of what they say, we cruised for over 40 years in RI/MA/NH/ME/NY with my unregistered outboard dinghy marked as "Tender to" with my big boat documentation numbers pasted on, and I was never stopped, not once. We would tie up to dinghy docks and I would glance at dinghys with numbers and stickers, and those without. The count generally ran about 50% at the most.
Just sayin'
Enforcement depends on the jurisdictions, Don't try that "Tender to" in the Florida Keys unless your boat is clearly sinking within sight of where they stop you.
