Hey, I just registered my boat with the state burecrats, and, of course, they wanted some money. Now, usually when I shell out some dollars I expect something in return, either in hardware or mercantile or I expect some service to be performed for me. In this deal I cannot find either of these incentives. Why do I pay for the privilege of painting a number and putting a decal on my boat? Why not just call it a tax and be done with it?
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edited 04/25/12 06:49pm by an administrator/moderator *
I agree. Here you pay a licence fee on the boat, a licence fee on the trailer, a state lake improvement fee and an annual launch fee. All but the launch permit are mandatory whether or not the boat ever gets wet.
Here, the boat registration is permanent. BUT, the Coast Guard says it CAN'T be permanent. So, the first time you register it after you buy it, the sticker is for one year. Then, when you renew the registration, it is FREE, and the sticker lasts for three years.
ALL trailers get permanent registration, no matter what purpose or size. The registration NEVER has to be renewed as long as you own it.
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WindsorJ wrote: Why do I pay for the privilege of painting a number and putting a decal on my boat? Why not just call it a tax and be done with it?
That is a qood question and there are a few answers. First vehicle registration was (Originally) intended to cut down on theft, and it worked, big time, though there are still a lot of folks out there who will boost a boat or a car, or a truck, The fact is.. It is now a whole lot easier to catch 'em.. And can I tell you stories about that. (Used to assist those who catch 'em by providing information, police dispatcher you see)
However the states found "Oh we can make money this way" and so they do.
Now, as to why not call it a tax.
How do they determine the fee?
Length of boat?
Type of boat? (Row/Outboard/Inboard)
Style of boat (Fishing/Cabin crusier/High speed racer, ect)
Some other consideration other than:
Value of Boat
If it's the last (Value). then it **IS** a Tax per the feds and
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
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You are paying for the use of your boat on waterways that you don't personally own. (If you only use your boat on a lake that you own in whole, you wouldn't have to register it, at least in most states. The same is true for cars.)
As for the state spending money more wisely, it's not likely that we could all agree on which of the items the state spends money is indeed wise, and which are not. So, for any given individual, there will be a portion of the money that is "not spent wisely", but which exact portion that is will likely be different. (This is the same thing as saying that, for the residents of the state in aggregate, there is likely no spending that some resident does not consider wise.)
well, I watched a show called North Woods Law on cable. Maine wildlife rangers.
people drive boats up into the woods, scrap off the reg. numbers and abandon them for the state to dispose.
well the rangers are smart. they traced the scraped numbers, got the owners name and off they went for a nice big $1000 or so fine. but sadly they didn't get this loser. the addy registered to the boat was abandoned.
but I am sure they catch and charge many a person.
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