Conference unifix::sailing

Well, maybe in the past you could argue that you didn't need to register 
a dinghy used solely as a tender. These days, if it has a motor and it 
isn't registered, you will eventually (as soon as some law officer type 
catches you) have to pay the fine for an unregistered boat. I believe 
that documentation covers just the boat documented. Other boats are 
governed by state laws, all of which (so far as I know) require 
registering any boat with a motor. I have used (very occasionally) an 
outboard on my unregistered Avon for the last three years. This spring I 
am registering it. The fee is a lot smaller than the fine and the worry 
about getting caught isn't worth it to me any more.

Alan

A while back I used to motor around Marion harbor in constant view of
the harbor patrol with my unregistered Avon and never had a problem.
Then I took a cruise to Maine and won a warning ticket within a half hour
of my arrival.

Anything with a motor has to be either registered by a state or CG documented.
Since a dinghy isn't big enough to be documented (carrying the name of a
documented vessel doesn't count) it has to be registered.

John

You mentioned that you would be in N.H. waters. Things may be changing 
regarding what you have to do in N.H.  In years past, C.G. numbers were
only good for offshore. Anyone inland had to have state reg. on any power
boat and any sailboat over 12'. 

Back in the fall, I read that N.H. was going (or proposing to go)
to CG numbers for power boats, but... only for boats over a certain
horsepower. 10-15 h.p. as I recall. Has anyone heard the details on this
new law? In either case, one would need to register his low h.p. dinghy
motor.

I hope to get to the N.H. boat show. I think it is in a couple of weeks.
If I do, and if the N.H.Marine Patrol is there as usual, I will pump them
for all the legislative changes for N.H. boating this year and post them here.

Bill

I agree with RE: 2. According to Chapman's (Ed. 55, pg. 35): "A dinghy used
with a vessel not having a number, such as a documented boat, must be registered
and have it's own number as for any other craft if it is propelled by a motor
of any horsepower." That's from the Federal Motor Boating Safety Act of 1971
(of some such thing). Which means that the state (any state) must comply
with the above requirement if operating in Federal waters.

Gary H...

    I have a question regarding sales tax/registration of dinghy motors. 
    We recently purchased a 1.5 hp Johnson Colt to replace the Cruise and
    Carry which never worked well but that is another story.  At the time
    of purchase, we were asked if we wanted to pay the sales tax then or
    pay it where we registered the motor.  We took the tax exemption form
    given to us by the dealer, paid the bill (minus the RI state tax) and
    went on our merry way.  The questions are, does one register a motor
    when registering a dinghy?  Are these separate somehow?  I asked a power 
    boater here and he indicated that there was no separate tax or 
    registration information for his outboard (big one - 150 hp.).  My 
    partner also indicated that he has never registered a dinghy motor 
    either.  What is to prevent us from throwing the motor on the transom 
    and putting away without ever paying a state sales tax?  We will need 
    to register the dinghy from the indications of earlier replies.  Is 
    there a hook in the process that catches this?  The option of not
    paying the tax at the time of purchase was a surprise to me.  
     
                                                    
    Brian

    A couple of years ago I registered my dinghy for the first time.  On
    the application form there is a space asking for motor information.  I
    told the clerk at the tax office that the motor that was on the boat
    then was probably not the motor I would be using.  He said, "Don't
    worry.  Don't even write anything in that space.  We don't care what
    the motor is."  My dinghy is registered.  My motor is not.
    
    djc
    

    It depends on your state. In Washington, you must register any motor
    driven boat no matter how small. The form includes the motor
    information and you will need proof of sales tax. The only exception
    is for tenders of documented vessels which are not registered
    separately. However they must be used exclusively for ship to shore
    trips, no joy riding around the harbor or theoretically you can
    get a violation ticket.           

    In RI, you have to register the outboard seperately. It's a one
    time deal. There's no sticker for the motor so no one will ever
    know if you don't pay - until the CG boards you.
    
    If the powered dinghy is used as a tender, registration is simple. 
    You use the same registration number as your boat and add a special 
    suffix. The DEM in Prov. can tell you what the lettering is.
    
    If you want to be completely legal, you also need PFD's in the dinghy
    and a running light.

    The suffix for the dinghy of a documented boat in RI is "TT" so you
    just add the double t's to your documentation number and you're done -
    no muss, no fuss, no tax.

>>>    The suffix for the dinghy of a documented boat in RI is "TT"...

This is true in many other instances as well.  "TT" stands for "Tender
to...", borrowed from the oft-seen "T/T Yachtname" on dinghy transoms in
English-speaking harbors worldwide where they remember such traditions. 

J.

    If I understand this correctly, since our boat is documented via the
    federales all we need to do is add the TT 1234567 to the dinghy and we
    are done?  Do we need to "tell" someone we have in fact accomplished
    this?  FWIW - I believe the boat is documented as being from Boston.   
    
    Brian

re the TT stuff: 

This isn't legal in all states. 

    It's my understandind that in RI, the "TT" is added to the RI
    Registration Number. You simply put the same number on your dink
    as on the bow of your boat - plus the "TT". No paperwork, no fee,
    you're done.
    
    You said you're documented in Boston. Does this mean you're not
    registered in RI? If so, this makes things more difficult. 
    

    Our hailing port is Boston and not Jamestown so we are probably in
    violation of a bazillion different things including other minor
    environmental infractions (no holding tank - yet).  I spoke with my
    pahdnah last night and he said "gee, that's interesting" so I guess he
    is not too worried.  Having boated on the Bay for the last 30 years, he
    has never had any problems with the Coasties or other authority except
    for being told to get the heck out of the way ;-).  I just don't like
    being a criminal in waiting and would rather cover myself.  His boat,
    his dink, his motor + my advice = His decision.  Works for me.  Thanks 
    for all the info on this.
    
    Brian

    I am also documented with the Coast Guard in Boston.  You have to
    register your dinghy (if it is motor powered) with a Rhode Island
    registration.  They'll get you if you don't.  You may be able to get
    away without the motor registration but they will ask you about it when
    you register the dinghy.  I don't think that the TT stuff really makes
    any difference.  If you're driving around on the water you need the
    right color sticker. 

    Someone told me that if the motor is electric powered, registration
    was not necessary. Is that true? This is for Mass.

    
    
    re. -1.
    
    I checked with two different registry offices regarding use of electric
    motors on small boats. Both answers were the same: It must be
    registered if it has a motor of any type.
    
    There is also a common belief that only boats with motors of more than 5hp
    had to be registered. Could have been true at one time, but not now.
    
    Bob
    

    I'm in the final stages of procuring an inflatable with a small
    outboard.  I've got a few questions, some on facts and some on
    experiences, which I'd be most appreciative for any help on.
    
    o  do I have to register the inflatable ?   I'm sailing out of
       Rhode Island.
    
    o  what about insurance ?  Can/should I add it to my homeowners or
       insure it separately ?
    
    o  what are the best ways to "secure" it on the dinghy dock racks ?
    
    
    Thanks
    
    Greg

    Greg...
    
    Rhode Island, as of last year, requires dingy registration, EVEN IF the
    dingy is used as a tender to a dicumented yacht.  Registration fee is
    relatively low - I think mine was $25 or so.
    
    If you have an insurance policy on the 'mother ship', the dingy may be
    covered under that policy.  Metropolitan policies are written that way.
    
    As far as securing it, I guess the answer is another question; "against
    what?"  If it's left outside, and someone really wants it, it's gone no
    matter what.  However, most inflatables have a steel towing ring in the
    bow; I'd run a chain thru that and something on the dock, like a rail,
    cleat, etc., whatever you can get away with.
    
    Where in RI?
    
    john
    

    Thanks John ..... we're sailing out of Norton's in East Greenwich; the
    dinghy is mine, but the Catalina is owned by someone else, we have a
    shared-expense arrangement and I'm contributing the dinghy towards our
    mutual enjoyment this season.  So I've got to handle the insurance
    separately ...... guess I'll try Metpay first.
    
    
    
    Greg

    You might want to check with your homwowner's insurance. Mine (State
    Farm) covers boats up to $500. As one who currently owns 7 boats, but
    only one worth over $750, I only carry separate insurance on my Com-Pac
    Yacht.
    
    Bill
    

>    Thanks John ..... we're sailing out of Norton's in East Greenwich; the
>    dinghy is mine, but the Catalina is owned by someone else, we have a
>    shared-expense arrangement and I'm contributing the dinghy towards our
>    mutual enjoyment this season.  So I've got to handle the insurance
>    separately ...... guess I'll try Metpay first.
    
The insurance company that insures the boat may be willing to insure the dinghy
anyway. They might be able to do something as simple as adding your name to the
policy, at no charge.

--RS

    
    	Maybe get a quote from your partner's company. You can always
    reimburse him, and maybe save a few bucks. A separate policy sounds
    more expensive. `Course, then it's in YOUR name....
    
    	For locking, I use a piece of lifeline, nicoressed into loops at
    the ends. Lighter, won't stain, and can be fed thru docks, cleats,
    D-rings on the inflatable, and the motor. Also harder to cut than small
    chain, I hope. But then, like those brass locks, the best you can hope
    for is to keep honest folks honest, and discouraging young joyriders.
    If there's any fear, you may want to lock the outboard in your trunk-
    I bet they're the hot items.
    
    Scott.
    

    I just registared my inflatable this morning , and need to put the 
    lettering on the boat. I don't like those plastic boards people
    rope on the sides.
    
    This leaves me with glue on rubber letters or one of those stencil
    kits, either of which cost more than the registration itself.
    
    Which one works best- Letters or stencils?
    
    Anyone have a stencel kit they want to rent out?
    
    
       john

    John,
    
    I went to an office depot and bought a set of vinyl letters/numbers for
    about $3.00. I then cleaned the rubber rub rail on my Avon where I
    wanted my numbers to be and then applied them. I only had to replace
    one of them when I smacked into something that tore it off the boat.
    Replacement was done the same way.
    
    You might want to try this. The only thing you have to lose is a few
    bucks and some time. I'm on my 3rd year with this arrangement now.
    
    Good luck,
    Robert