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06-12-2024, 07:58
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#46
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Registered User
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Seabrook, TX
Boat: Catalina 30
Posts: 650
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Texas requires registration of both the dingy AND the outboard motor.
(Tax revenue for the state...)
cheers
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06-12-2024, 07:58
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#47
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 20
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
For lights on a dinghy, yes it's an easy thing for a polyester uniform to get on their high horse about. It's an even easier thing to fix. I've got one of those all in one 3 way lights that attach to the top of the outboard cowling. 4+ years old, never think about it. Charges all day, stays lit all night. Only waiting for a polyester uniform to give me a ration for when it's on the davits and it lights up while we're underway!
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06-12-2024, 08:12
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#48
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,956
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by BarnacleBuck
Had a similar conversation with the ramp attendant at my local boat ramp in NJ. I haul my Laser up on a hand dolly and launch it one-handed. On arrival one day this past year, she asked where my registration numbers for the boat were displayed. Since it is a dinghy and has no motor, I told her it was unnecessary, similar to registering a SUP or kayak. She continued to insist that it was necessary and that she worked for the DMV. I asked, doesn't the M in DMV stand for "Motor"?
Hoping she is no longer working the ramp next year.
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Vessels to Title & Register in NJ
All vessels (regardless of having a motor) over 12 feet in length MUST be titled with the New Jersey MVC. Watercraft exempt from this rule include:
Ship lifeboats.
Canoes and kayaks.
Inflatable boats.
Surfboards.
Rowing sculls and racing shells.
Dinghies used as transportation between boats and the beach.
Boats that are 12 feet or shorter.
The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission requires a majority of vessels to be registered, with the following exceptions:
U.S. public vessels.
Foreign vessels.
Ship lifeboats.
Non-motorized watercraft restricted to small lakes and ponds on private property.
Any racing vessel with a permit from he New Jersey State Police's Marine Services Bureau.
Any vessel registered in another state operating on New Jersey waters for fewer than 180 days.
Non-motorized:
Watercraft under 12 feet long.
Inflatable devices.
Surfboards.
Dinghies.
Racing shells.
Canoes and kayaks.
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06-12-2024, 08:16
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#49
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 7,956
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by sinnerman
Texas requires registration of both the dingy AND the outboard motor.
(Tax revenue for the state...)
cheers
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Dinghys [small boats] and outboard motors are objects that are frequently subject to theft. Requiring registration and display of current year decals greatly reduces the motivation for stealing as their continued use is made diffcult and risky of law enforcement assessing the validity of ownership.
This is not a significant revenue producing requirement.
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06-12-2024, 13:19
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#50
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: NJ
Boat: Dickerson Ketch
Posts: 385
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Tsuru
The marine enforcement authorities in Florida are not ignorant. They probably don’t know the registrations rules for every nation in the world, because they don’t need to. They are bound to enforce the laws and rules in Florida. That said, if you explain your situation it’s been my experience that they will work with you as best they can. In your case they issued a warning.
I’d talk with the marine police (or whatever they are called in Florida) or call the Florida boat registration group and ask for advice. It has also been my experience that they are helpful.
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Not knowing their own state laws- 90days for foreign registered vessels- Is ignorance.
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06-12-2024, 19:12
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#51
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Registered User
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 4
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
I'll have to cut a few inches off the back to make it compliant!
Quote:
Originally Posted by Montanan
Vessels to Title & Register in NJ
All vessels (regardless of having a motor) over 12 feet in length MUST be titled with the New Jersey MVC. Watercraft exempt from this rule include:
Ship lifeboats.
Canoes and kayaks.
Inflatable boats.
Surfboards.
Rowing sculls and racing shells.
Dinghies used as transportation between boats and the beach.
Boats that are 12 feet or shorter.
The NJ Motor Vehicle Commission requires a majority of vessels to be registered, with the following exceptions:
U.S. public vessels.
Foreign vessels.
Ship lifeboats.
Non-motorized watercraft restricted to small lakes and ponds on private property.
Any racing vessel with a permit from he New Jersey State Police's Marine Services Bureau.
Any vessel registered in another state operating on New Jersey waters for fewer than 180 days.
Non-motorized:
Watercraft under 12 feet long.
Inflatable devices.
Surfboards.
Dinghies.
Racing shells.
Canoes and kayaks.
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06-12-2024, 19:43
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#52
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2007
Location: Santa Cruz
Boat: SAnta Cruz 27
Posts: 7,208
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
After I finished circumnavigating if a big boat homeported in California, I used the dinghy I bought in Australia. I didn't get caught in Florida, but I got pulled over in Rhode Island. They gave me 2 days to register the dinghy. It took me a few hours to get it done, and it wasn't expensive, as they recognized it was 8 years old. I used a friend's RI address, put the RI decal and numbers on, and was able to renew by mail.
My take is that if your dinghy has a motor and no numbers, its is going to get pulled over. If it as current registration from another State, you will probably be left alone. If you can show that it is from a foreign boat, they will probably let you off with a warning.
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06-12-2024, 20:58
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#53
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,579
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Under CFR Title 46 Foreign vessels travelling in US waters under a "cruising license" are exempt from US registration or documentation laws as long as they are compliant with the laws of their own country ... I won that one in Florida.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
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07-12-2024, 06:56
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#54
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Registered User
Join Date: Oct 2023
Posts: 292
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by boatpoker
Under CFR Title 46 Foreign vessels travelling in US waters under a "cruising license" are exempt from US registration or documentation laws as long as they are compliant with the laws of their own country ... I won that one in Florida.
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You may want to elaborate on 'won that one in Florida.'
Because the issue will become 'how much is your time worth?'
Here's how this will play out in the 16th Circuit (Monroe County ergo Keys):
FWC or whomever will issue a ticket. You will then have to appear before the Court (probably a magistrate) and make your argument. This was (COVID) being done via ZOOM, but that has ended. Your case may be scheduled weeks later than the event, and you get to spend however long in the courtroom before you are called. Never mind the time and trouble getting to the courthouse. How much is your time and trouble worth?
You can try phoning the Clerk of Court, explain, and the clerk might ask you to forward the Title 46 documentation via email. But the clerk will probably advise that you still would want to make sure you show up to check that your evidence was accepted and the case dismissed, which involves a $25 dismissal fee.
You can save all this trouble by merely registering the dinghy, which is less than $10.
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07-12-2024, 08:17
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#55
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Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Arctic Ocean
Boat: Under construction 35' ketch (and +3 smaller)
Posts: 3,004
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leadfree
You may want to elaborate on 'won that one in Florida.'
Because the issue will become 'how much is your time worth?'
Here's how this will play out in the 16th Circuit (Monroe County ergo Keys):
FWC or whomever will issue a ticket. You will then have to appear before the Court (probably a magistrate) and make your argument. This was (COVID) being done via ZOOM, but that has ended. Your case may be scheduled weeks later than the event, and you get to spend however long in the courtroom before you are called. Never mind the time and trouble getting to the courthouse. How much is your time and trouble worth?
You can try phoning the Clerk of Court, explain, and the clerk might ask you to forward the Title 46 documentation via email. But the clerk will probably advise that you still would want to make sure you show up to check that your evidence was accepted and the case dismissed, which involves a $25 dismissal fee.
You can save all this trouble by merely registering the dinghy, which is less than $10.
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^ excactly why most avoid US waters a and the "Keystone cops" making charges or fines out of nothing. Worse than anywhere I know off..
Besides that double registering a boat is also a crime where the boat or dinghy is registered originally.
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07-12-2024, 08:48
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#56
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Registered User
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ocala FL
Boat: 1979 Bristol 35.5 CB
Posts: 1,984
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotu
local water cops can be pretty frustrating actually.
I got a ticket in my dinghy before. it was during covid.
then, I got a ticket for not having a whistle. I had two cell phones, a VHF, and a handheld GPS in the dinghy. Believe it or not. Proper lifejackets. Everything you would ever need to survive in a dinghy. Wasn’t good enough. Had to have a little whistle to blow. Mind-boggling.
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If you have an inflatable PFD, there is usually a whistle inside the cover.
__________________
John Churchill Ocala, FL
NURDLE, 1979 Bristol 35.5 CB
Currently hauled out ashore Summerfield FL for refit
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07-12-2024, 09:19
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#57
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Registered User
Join Date: Apr 2013
Location: Hampton Roads, VA
Posts: 122
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Chotu
local water cops can be pretty frustrating actually.
I got a ticket in my dinghy before. it was during covid.
then, I got a ticket for not having a whistle. I had two cell phones, a VHF, and a handheld GPS in the dinghy. Believe it or not. Proper lifejackets. Everything you would ever need to survive in a dinghy. Wasn’t good enough. Had to have a little whistle to blow. Mind-boggling.
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Anyone ever think there are rules and regulations for a reason? A whistle might come in handy if you need to make someone aware of you, get their attention. A GPS and VHF do not produce any sound, and you can talk all you want on the radio or cell phone, if someone isn't listening it won't matter. The whistle, on the other hand, may actually save you. Don't fault the "water cops" for enforcing the law. Vessel equipment rules are there to keep us all safe on the water. It's not hard to attach a cheap plastic whistle to your dinghy. I get the frustration, but just follow the rules and it's never a problem.
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07-12-2024, 09:38
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#58
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Marine Service Provider
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Port Credit, Ontario or Bahamas
Boat: Benford 38 Fantail Cruiser
Posts: 7,579
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by Leadfree
You may want to elaborate on 'won that one in Florida.'
Because the issue will become 'how much is your time worth?'
Here's how this will play out in the 16th Circuit (Monroe County ergo Keys):
FWC or whomever will issue a ticket. You will then have to appear before the Court (probably a magistrate) and make your argument. This was (COVID) being done via ZOOM, but that has ended. Your case may be scheduled weeks later than the event, and you get to spend however long in the courtroom before you are called. Never mind the time and trouble getting to the courthouse. How much is your time and trouble worth?
You can try phoning the Clerk of Court, explain, and the clerk might ask you to forward the Title 46 documentation via email. But the clerk will probably advise that you still would want to make sure you show up to check that your evidence was accepted and the case dismissed, which involves a $25 dismissal fee.
You can save all this trouble by merely registering the dinghy, which is less than $10.
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My method was simpler ... an email to his sergeant with a pdf of CFR Title 46, Canadian Registration and my Cruising License had the ticket recinded. I had a call from the sergeant and he sounded quite literate unlike the ignorant water cop.
__________________
If you're not laughing, you're not doin' it right.
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09-12-2024, 07:28
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#59
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Registered User
Join Date: Mar 2019
Location: Cape Coral, FL
Boat: Lagoon 46 / Searay Sundancer 350
Posts: 58
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by bgallinger
Florida is quite strict about licencing and the police do know that many states or countries do not register dinghies (Like Canada). Regardless, you are not required to have a florida registration unless you are there for 90+ days.
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This is the correct answer. I live in Florida and have a vessel that is flagged in the BVI. The local sheriff, local police, CBP, and fish and wildlife all keep their boats at this marina and I interact with them quite a bit.
If you have a foreign flagged vessel, and you are in Florida waters for more than 90 days, you need to register the vessel with Florida. Florida considers dinghies and tenders as separate vessels, so you will need a registration for your main vessel and for the dinghy. It isn't expensive, but it is kind of a PITA to go to DMV to register it. If they really want to be strict about it, you are required to have the registration numbers permanently affixed to the vessel.
Oh...I've also been asked to see the lifejackets (one for each person in the dinghy), and a sound making device...all of which are required equipment in the U.S. I'm still not clear if that is actually a requirement for foreign vessels or if you need to comply with your home country regulations. I suspect the latter, otherwise we would all have to get USCG life preservers in place of our SOLAS ones.
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09-12-2024, 08:42
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#60
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Registered User

Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Caribbean live aboard
Boat: Camper & Nicholson58 Ketch - ROXY Traverse City, Michigan No.668283
Posts: 6,688
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Re: Dinghy Registration Required?
Quote:
Originally Posted by GordMay
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For regulations that are not well defined we print and carry the regulations highlighting the often controversial bits. Such as:
Dinghy lighting
USCG recent changes; no flares if you have a SOLAS electric flare; dinghy registration; dinghy labeling, name, numbers; night lighting; horns & signaling.
Exceptions for foreign vessels
There was a time when documented vessels were regularly stopped and sometimes cited for not displaying state numbers. Great Lakes especially.
The only places we’ve ever been hailed, boarded etc is in the US. Eight years live aboard in the Caribbean and never a single issue.
BTW this Lonako solar light is great for the dinghy. It’s also a backup anchor light or nav light for the yacht. Mounted on a stalk, stored in the bow locker, high enough to be above your head, easily mounted to the stern socket.
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