[alaskadog]

I was in the midst of posting a long reply yesterday when I lost my WIFI connection and the message got dropped. I will make it more brief this time. rleslie cleared up the Florida tax situation which I was explaining in probably needless detail. And Vasco told about the situation in Maryland that I was also going to mention. Gentlemen and sailors, in boating it is all about the taxes. Most of you are probably aware that to register a boat in a new state (for example, if one moved from one state to another) that the new state will try to charge you the sales tax on your boat again in order to register it. This is in the case where the state where you bought it may have a lower tax rate than the new state. Or if you buy a boat in Florida and move it out within 30 days you can avoid their sales tax but your new state will tax you at their rate. In Florida I do not anchor or stay in a marina for more than a few days at a time. That way the Florida Fish and Game officers ( please read, BOAT TAX GESTAPO) can not easily set their sights on you and hassle you for a registration. In Alabama, your dingy is not required a registration if it is used solely as a tender (can not use it to fish from, etc). I once had a Florida fish cop tell me that I needed to register my dingy when he saw no numbers on it. I told him it was an Alabama boat and I was just passing through. The idiot said that all states required registering boats that had motors. I told him he was wrong on that count and on another. In Alaska where I lived for almost 30 years, that state does not require state registration for Federally documented boats. And the state registration for a sailboat of a size like mine only costs $30 and it is good for 3 years. Florida fish cops, like fish cops in many states, are not the brightest light bulb in the house. At least in Mexico, their Importata which cost $50 US if you are going to be navigating or staying in their waters for over a couple of weeks will last you for 10 years. It is all about taxes. I know of no other conveyance means (i.e., snowmobiles, bicycles, ATVs, or autos, etc.) where the government at different levels tries to get their hands in your pockets so completely. Ever since the Stamp Act of the 1760's people with my attitude have been vigorously protesting egrecious and unfair taxes. Oh yeah, BTW I will complain about other states and other countries all I darn well please. I complain about the conditions where I happen to be. I always felt like home is where I hang my hat and rest my weary bones. Kinda like I am a world citizen. But in general I have no complaints about the officials or the charges in the countries I have visited. I have, on the whole, been treated quite fairly and professionally with but few and minor exceptions. Gosh, I still could not make this brief. I must have too much time on my hands.