Conference vicki::boats

    
    Yup, boat and trailer registration seems to have gone
    up SIGNIFICANTLY almost everywhere this year.  After
    all, everyone knows we boaters are all filthy rich and
    can well afford to pay it.  But at least you know the
    money is going to good use, what with all the new boat
    launch facilities the states are scrambling to build
    with the extra money, right?   8^)
                          
    My NH registration was $53 for a new 17'3" boat w/88hp
    outboard.  What'd you pay?
                          
    Rick     

    If you mean NH registration, mine went up about 40-50 %.
    Cost $12.50 for a 12 foot aluminum boat and $28.50 for a 17 foot
    Glastron (1979). The application stated to" use existing bow numbers
    if available, if not, use the numbers listed above ". You guessed
    it, no numbers listed above. 

    I'm thinking of registering my 12 ft rubber raft with 15 hp in NH
    to use for diving on the lakes.
    How much will this cost?
    I live in Taxachussetts so don't have the resident discount.
    
                                        Walt
    

RE:  Note 344.3    
>>    I live in Taxachussetts so don't have the resident discount.
  

Resident discount?  I live in NH and as far as I know paid full price.
Did I miss out on something?

Rick W.

    
    	As most NH boaters I recieved my registration in the mail.
    	Last year I paid $62 dollars this year I will pay $97.
    	Next years fee for my boat will be $ 57 dollars.
    	The state is not getting a big share of the money, it
    	is the towns that you register you boat in is. The towns on the
    	various lakes lobbied the state for a fee increase and got it about 50%.
	
    	Boat Fee  $ 79.36   goes to the town
    	Registration Fee $ 17.00 goes to the State
    	Then added agent fee $1.00
    		Milfoil Fee .50
    	
    
    	Rick you didn't miss anything  
    	
    
    	Mike

Re: 344.2

 >   The application stated to" use existing bow numbers
 >   if available, if not, use the numbers listed above ". You guessed
 >   it, no numbers listed above. 

Look at the registration form again. The main body of the form begins 40%
of the way down the form, with an empty box for bow number. If you look
in the extreme upper left corner, in a box all by itself surrounded by
text, there is another box, also labeled bow nuber, with the state 
assigned number in it.

I received 2 forms, for each of my registerable boats (2 out of 5).
No problem with the big boat, which already has bow numbers from the
USCG, but I wonder if there is room for 3" high bow numbers on my
Sunfish!

Bill

    At least there are gunnels (somewhat) on a Sunfish. What about
    sailboards? And on BOTH sides! Non-skid letters maybe?  ;^)
    Doug
    

    To answer note # 344.1- we paid $18.00 last year and $50.00 this
    year for an '86  20' Checkmate.  Apparently they determine the price
    based on weight and price or lenght?  I'm not sure which.
    

    
    RE: .8
    
    I'm pretty sure it's based on year, length, and horsepower.
    Those are the three questions they always ask.  The class-
    ifications are tilted in their favor - my boat is 17'3" so
    they rated it as 18'.
    
    Rick

    Ok. Whats this about use existing numbers?? I thought NH had Tags
    to screw on the transom?
    
    My rubber raft is considered a support craft/liferaft for my ocean
    boat that is documented. Therfore I don't have to register it seperate
    on salt water. It's covered by having the vessel name on the rubber
    raft.
    But that don't fly in fresh water. So I need to register it.
    
    What's this about towns getting some of the reg money? Is it cheaper
    to go to different towns?
    
                                           Walt
    

    For inland use, N.H. had "tags" that you got for the state.
    
    If you wanted to sail in N.H. coastal waters, you had to apply to
    
    the U.S. Coast Guard in Boston for N.H. bow numbers - that is how
    some of us already had them.
    
    Bill
    

	The price of FLOATING has gone up.  20', 260hp, 1988 is 69.09 + kickback
+ weed propogation fund + overhead!  Wow this sounds like some of the Mass
Dept of Motor Vehicles Brass has moved to NH and found work! NH used to be
simple and easy and had plates.  This "paperwork in the mail" business REQUIRED
to register an existing boat smells like the MASS method (2 locations MONDAY &
FRIDAY ONLY 9-4) easy right?  (if you don't have a job and live in Worcester
or Boston).

	I wonder if they will REALLY let me use my out-of-state BOW numbers
as advertized?  I'll find out tomorrow.  If anyone will be floating LEGELLY
around Winni this Sunday, look for a Blue/while SUNBIRD and say HI.

RE: Note 344.12  

>> I wonder if they will REALLY let me use my out-of-state BOW numbers
>> as advertized?  I'll find out tomorrow. 

Garry,
New Hampshire is not claiming or advertising that they let you use any
out of state bow numbers.  I spoke at great length with the supervisor
of the Marine Registry in Concord, and she emphaszed that the NH bow
numbering system still does *NOT* mean reciprocity with other states.
The only reason they went to bow numbers is that the Coast Guard forced
them to.  Their attitude is if you boat in NH, you *will* pay your money
to the state of NH.  She said that if other states want to honor the NH
registration, that is fine with them, but they will not return the favor.
Up to this point it looks as if the only state which may do that is Maine.

This note started out discussing the cost of registrations, but has
digressed back into the Mass/NH issue.  For further info on that topic
see note 54.*


>> If anyone will be floating LEGELLY around Winni this Sunday, look
>> for a Blue/while SUNBIRD and say HI.

You may not be the only one in a blue & white Sunbird out there.  If
the ice melts I may be out there too, in an SPL 174.  What model is
your's, and where will you be?

Rick W.

Rick,

	I know I will have to pay to boat in NH.  What I was referring to was
the statement that one can utilize out-of-state bow numbers to register their
boat in NH where their PRIMARY USE state is not NH.  I believe after talking
to the people in NH I can,

	1) show up to a NM agent with my NH "in the mail" form
	2) declare my PRIMARY USE as not NH
	3) show that PRIMARY USE state valid registration
	4) have those bow numbers entered on my NH registration
	5) empty my wallet
	6) become legal in NH

	I think that is the scenario for us out-of-state'ers.  Augusta Maine and
Concord NH indicated that this is the arrangement that they understand and
nobody talks to the MASS people so they don't know S**T.  I will know the
FACTS tomorrow and give a (humorous) rendition of the events on Monday to
everyone!

	AS for Sunday, I have a Eurosport II when MAINE bow numbers as that is
my PRIMARY USE state (don't ask).  There are no distinguishable marks as the
boat is still relatively (I haven't hit anything yet).  We will be out in the
lower portion of Winni.  We will launch wherever there is no ice but be out
on SHIP island probably around 12:00-100pm.  Watch out for the markers as the
ICE really did a number on my friend's dock and most of the shallow markers
are wood-chips on the bottom.

	Will keep my eye out for you...

	Garry

	Well, I am now legal in NH.  I went to WILDERNESS Marina on Saturday
and was promptly greeted with a line of people waiting to register.  (BTW, 
Jerry & company are history and there is a whole new crew manning the 
lifeboats @ Wilderness, but that is another story).  As I entered Doug Gale
saw me and remembered me from last year and struck up a conversation.  We
finally got around to "why are you here".  I said "registration", and the
rest is history (as follows):

  (me) My primary use state is MAINE as I do most of my boating there;
(doug) OK...
  (me) I want to register in NH;
(doug) OK...
  (me) Does NH care if I am a non-resident and am LEGALLY registered in MAINE?
(doug) No...
  (me) I want to use my MAINE bow numbers
(doug) OK.
  (me) I have cash $$$$ and want to be NH LEGAL.
(doug) OK.
  (me) If I pay *both* MAINE & NH everyone is happy, right?
(doug) right!
  (me) Do you have the technology/understanding/paperwork to "make it happen"?
(doug) YES!

	Bottom line, NO PROBLEM.  Everyone just wants there money just like 
before.  If you are trying to get out of PAYING, then expect a hassle no 
matter what state you are in.  If you are trying to become LEGAL (and have 
lots of $$$ this year) anything is possible.  BTW, Wilderness has a computer
to do their registrations and it comes out cleaner that those hand-
scribbled versions.

	The bad news is my Power Steering cooler was leaking during the 
pre-launch check-out on Saturday PM so the launch was scrubbed at T-12 hours.
Now this week I will holding down a place in the Parts department line....
My new ETL (Est. Time of 1st Launch) is Memorial Day if the parts come in.

	Garry

    It isn't just NH, the cost to register in Mass has gone up 50% from
    $20 to $30.
    
    /jim

    I registered my 19' Com-Pac and my Sunfish Saturday at Green's Marine
    in Hookestt N.H. The total cost for the two boats was $33. Sure
    enough, no more stick-on paper plates for the Sunfish, as in years
    past. Those 3" bow numbers sure look funny on it!
    
    They showed me a letter from the state regarding reciprocity,
    describingwho the state person called in each state and what their
    response was. Maine, Vermont and Ct. have indicated that N.H. bow
    numbers are good enough for them. R.I. isn't sure and Mass. wouldn't
    even talk to them. I wonder whether Maine, Vt and Conn. are solid
    in their position, or whether the inequity of not having their
    state's registration accepted in N.H. will change their mind.
    One of the people at the dealer said that a state person had
    "unoficially" told them that it was the state's (N.H.) intent
    to keep the boat population on N.H. lakes down by only allowing
    those who want to pay for a N.H. reg. to use the N.H. lakes.
    
    This attitude on the part of the state is very consistent with other
    legislation over many years that has basically said that for affluent
    leisure persuits, let the user pay his own way.
    
    Bill
    

RE: < Note 344.17 by MLCSSE::FRENCH >

    Bill, I think you've hit the nail on the head!  With the GROWING boating
population, states are looking for ways to 1)Generate the needed revenue to
keep up and 2)restrict traffic w/o killing revenue.

	The PAY-TO-PLAY approach has been implemented in several other walks of
life (ROAD TAX in Gasoline, etc...) so why not boating...  Unfortunatly for us
TRAILER boaters it will mean the price to play will get worse quicker.  I also
think that the 'NH lakes for NH registration' thought process will 'catch on'
in other states (like MASS) that are having serious revenue problem.  I think
this NH 'exchange program' with Maine & Vermont will quickly be viewed as a
way to lose NH revenue and will be terminated.

	After all how many time have MASS DMRV officials pubically said

		"RV's are REALLY not like a car"

and it generates more $$$$ to hire more staff, build and empire, etc..
Anyway, resign yourself to DEATH, TAXES, and higher registrations fees, then
lets get on with the PLAY part......

	garry

re .16

<    It isn't just NH, the cost to register in Mass has gone up 50% from
<    $20 to $30.
    
   In order to make sure we are comparing apples with apples:

  A Mass boat registration is good for 2 years, which yields $15/yr.  I agree
it's still a 50% increase, but some other states force you to register every
year (like CT for instance).


  (I don't believe I am defending a Massachusetts tax/fee ;-);-))

Al

    Whow are you saying that they make you register a sunfish???? What
    about windsurfers and rowboats and canoes??
    
    It's not like these are powerboats polluting the enviorment??? The wind
    and ash breeze is free. What ever happened to the good ol NH live free
    or die state I used to live in?
    
    Has it gone totally liberal? Yuppyville?
    
    Lets keep some of our freedoms intact! We are running out of places in
    the world to excape undue taxation and unnessary laws.
     
                                        Walt
    

    I was just given an old 14 foot aluminum rowboat.  While checking on
    registering my powerboat I asked about having to register the rowboat.
    She asked if it was over 12 feet and did it have a motor. My 14 foot
    rowboat without motor has to have bow numbers and will cost 12.50 to
    register.  
    
    Looking for the humor in all this, I can picture bow numbers on
    Ski-Bobs, waterskis, (and maybe the skier if he's 'footin') and even
    little-bitty numbers on my top water fishing lures.  Wow!
    
                                                   Tom

    Ayup, about 5 years ago the extended the registration requirement
    to include all sailboats over 12'. As for canoes and rowboats, yes,
    if they have any kind of motor, including electric trolling. About
    15 years ago, I built a "scuba tow" (4' submarine with 2 electric
    trolling motors that you hang into). For fun, I called the state
    and asked if it was true that "all powerboats" had to be registered.
    They allowed as to how the answer was yes. After transferring me
    about 6 times, I wound up talking with the head of whatever the
    boat registration division was. He said that it should be registered,
    but wasn't sure how, since the standard size license plate was larger
    than any plane surface on the scuba tow. Of course, I didn't give
    them my name.
    
    I wonder when they are going to figure out that some of us have
    lots of fun sailing on ice in the wintertime. I guess most iceboats
    ("DN Class) are right around 12', although my homebuilt is 14'.
    Don't anyone suggest it to the state!.
    
    Oh, by the way, I think it was $12.50 or so to register the Sunfish.
    
Bill
    

	Some of the larger N.E. lakes now require mooring registration.
Last year (just of laughs) My friend tried to register a 2rd mooring with a
5 hp motor and 1 person cap.!   Noone even blinked at the information, just
took his form & fee and issued a mooring TAG.

I can see it all now....

	My son will be swimming this year again.  Gee wiz, last year I
	did not register him even though he was equipped with a life vest.
	I know I have been swimming long enough to be 'grand-fathered' but
	I better register that pile of inner-tubes and lifevests before
	I get caught.  Now which state should I declare as my PRIMARY
	swimming state?  And I don't have a title to those tubes...

	
Where will it end!!!

	Garry

>>< Note 344.19 by HPSCAD::WHITMAN "Acid rain burns my BASS" >
>>  re .16
>>
>><    It isn't just NH, the cost to register in Mass has gone up 50% from
>><    $20 to $30.
>>    
>>   In order to make sure we are comparing apples with apples:
>>
>>  A Mass boat registration is good for 2 years, which yields $15/yr.  I agree
>> it's still a 50% increase, but some other states force you to register every
>> year (like CT for instance).
>>
>>      (I don't believe I am defending a Massachusetts tax/fee ;-);-))

>>Al
  
    Actually comparing apples to apples I should include the lovely excise
    tax of 1%, and the 5% use tax I had to pay on my dinghy and new motor
    both of which are not collected in NH.
    
    /jim

    Yesterday took a friend to register his boat at the Dept. of Revenue
    in Worchester. Last year when I reregistered my boat I thought they
    only took cash or money order for registration and sales tax. So
    my friend had cash. Guess what, they only take check or money order!
    
    Can you imagine not taking cash. Does everybody have their hand
    in the till or mayby the folks in Boston don"t trust a soul.
    
    BTW, this guy tried to call them the day before to be sure what
    he needed and no one answered the phone. 
    
    Ed 

<                       -< Cash?? Check?? Money Order??? >-
<
<    Yesterday took a friend to register his boat at the Dept. of Revenue
<    in Worchester. Last year when I reregistered my boat I thought they
<    only took cash or money order for registration and sales tax. So
<    my friend had cash. Guess what, they only take check or money order!
<    
<    Can you imagine not taking cash. Does everybody have their hand
<    in the till or mayby the folks in Boston don"t trust a soul.
<    
<    BTW, this guy tried to call them the day before to be sure what
<    he needed and no one answered the phone. 
<    

Ed,
   That's WORCESTER not WorcHester......

   The Recreation Vehicle Registry has not taken cash for at least 3 years
now.  The Motor Vehicle Registry takes ONLY cash.  The reason (as I'm told)
for the no CASH rule is that the days receipts are sent out via mail and
they will not send cash through the mail (would you?).  The inconsistency
is a royal pain in the neck, but it is not a new rule.  If you want to pay
cash I think you've got to go to the Boston office.

				Al

	The Registry does take checks, it is the Revenue Office that
    Collects the SALES 'TACKS' that accepts only CASH. The reasoning
    is, that they do not have the clout that the Registry has since
    the Registry can grab your license and or registration. The other
    consideration is that there is a safe in the Registry Office that
    the Revenue people can use. No safe at the Rec office therefore
    requiring then to accept only checks.
    
    	I was lucky, I had enough of every thing when I went through
    the rat race last month. I was able to call ahead and received a
    very friendly and helpful response at the Rec Veh office. Never
    did get an answer at the RMV.      
    
    Fred.

    Let me see if I have this right, just for clarity; and for all of
    us people who go to the Registery and Revenue Dept. as little as
    possible.
    
    The Dept. of Revenue in Worcester takes checks or money orders for
    sales tax and boat registration.
    
    If you go to Boston Dept. of Revenue you can use cash, or check, or
    money order for sales tax and boat registration.
    
    If you register a car (or a boat trailer) at the Registry you need
    cash or money order for sales tax and check for fee. 
    
    Ed
    
    P.S. Thanks Al and Fred. 

    
    
    	I've moved from New Hampshire to Mass, and will need to
    	register my boat is mass (its two years old, so no sales tax)
    
    	How do I go about doing this? Where do I go????
    
    	Thanks
    
    	Ken

    
    re: Ken,
    
    	1) Go to the state tax office for the official exemption
    		on Mass state tax. (I went to the one in Lowell)
    
    	2) Then visit your friendly boat registration place 
    		(Worcester or Boston)
    
    	3) Enjoy the summer!
    
    Rick

    Re: -.1  and if you have a trailer, get your exemption at the State
    Tax office and then goto the Registry of Motor Vehicles. etc etc
    etc.......
    
    I am not sure but you may want to call ahead and check as to wether
    the Tax folks located at the Registry (both MV and Recrational)
    may be able to handle the exemption.
    
    Good luck. 
    
    Fred  223-3935
    

    
    The registry of Rec. Vehicles in Worcester should be able
    to take care of both the tax exemption and registration for
    the boat,  the Registry of Motor Vehicles (also in Worcester
    but in a different part of town) should be able to take care
    of the tax and registration for the trailer.  Be sure to get
    the proper forms from your insurance company first AND go to
    the tax office for the trailer FIRST then get in line to
    register it.  The boats tax and registration happen together,
    at least in Worcester.
    
    Phone Numbers:
    Registry of Rec. Vehicles (Worcester)  (508) 753-0603
    Registry of Rec. Vehicles (lowell)     (508) 459-9397
    Tax office (motor vehicles) (worcester)(508) 753-4763
    
    I would recommend calling, telling them what you want to do
    and ask what forms/info you need and the type of payment permitted.
    
    /Mike Smith  ZEN::SMITH
    

    I think I mentioned this a while back but I'll throw it in again.
    
    About 6 years back my dad gave me a rowboat he had had since the early
    sixtys. I had an old 10 hp that I had let him use on it for a few
    years.
    He had N.H. tags from about 1970 still on the boat.
    
    I tried to register it in Ma. where I lived. They said no tax was due
    because it was a gift from father to son. However I must produce the
    old registration slip ( Tag was not good enough). I'm sure most people
    hang onto 15 yr old registrations? but I guess my family just was
    neglegent. Gosh It wasn't even in the safe deposit box?
    
    Anyway . I had to pay about $7. TAX.  They won't except cash because
    Gov. Duke passed a law against it on his first term in office.
    
    Funny? I allways thought it said "Legal Tender for All Debt PUBLIC and
    Privite" on the US Doller bill'
    
    Guess that dosn't apply in the S.C.O.M. Socialist Commonwealth of Mass.
    
                                         Walt
    

    
    Hi,
                                                     
    I  read  all  the  replys  in  this file and...maybe it was me 
    but... I didn't find any one reply that told the whole story.
    
    I  registered my  boat last Saturday at the "Bosun's Locker in 
    Amherst/Milford  on rt.  101 west.  I am a MA resident but was 
    told  the ONLY  diference between  resident  and  non-resident 
    registration  was  the  sticker/paperwork,  The monies are the 
    same.  I  have  a  1987  runabout, 19 ft. I/O, 165hp.  I paid, 
    (rounded  to the  nearest buck)  $40.00 for N.H. registration, 
    17 for  weed control, (this was mentioned in an earlier reply) 
    and $1.00  agent's fee,  so...$58 bucks for N.H. resistration.  
    I received  two reflective stickers for my bow to be placed in 
    front of my present numbers on either side.
    
    I  suggest  calling ahead to your nearest N.H marina to find a 
    registry agent...some of them don't work evry day of the week.  
    I also suggest the Bosun's Locker AKA Wilderness Marine, (603)
    673-0024 and  (603)  673-4563, on Rt. 101 in Amherst NH.  They 
    obviously  knew  I was MA resident and still treated me like a 
    human...well....they were close to the border. 

    rgds__mb