Below is a message I sent out to Brevard County sailors in Florida, but it is an issue that effects the entire state. I had a lot of information to digest in a short period of time, so below is my crack at it.


Sorry, Im trying to stay up to date with the registration of non-motorized vessels, but Im not entirely in the loop yet.

However, there is a Brevard County commish meeting tomorrow. Here is my attempt at summerizing the entire issue:

There is a "Locality Roundtable Forum" that involves Brevard, Broward, Citrus, Collier, Duval, Indian River, Lee, Martin, Palm Beach, Sarasota, St Lucie, and Volusia Counties. Each countys representative was given an opportunity to present cases or specific situations that reflect successes and challenges for their county relating to issues of marina siting and public access. This also invloves the Boating Advisory Council.

A resolution has been drafted as a result of meetings with these counties that include 4 action items. The counties may pass local resolutions that will effect how the state views this issue.

In Brevard County, the resolution reads:

1. Lifting the current cap on gas tax funding for boating improvements to reflect the estimated amount of fuel purchased for boating-related activities.

2. Amending the Florida Boating Improvement Program to allow acquistion of waterfront property to establish or expand public access.

3. Directing the appropriate State agencies to evaluate and, if necessary, amend their local government assistance programs to better facilitate public access to Floridas water.

4. Creating a program to document the number of non-motorized vessels in Florida in order to receive its fair share of federal boating funds.


There is no issue on items 1 through 3, they are good things for boating access. The problem is with number 4, which is an attempt to require registration of all non-motorized vessels. Catamarans, kayaks, canoes, etc.

First of all, who is pushing for item 4?

The marine manufacturers industry. There are looking to use non-motorized vessels as a source for additional funds for building boat ramps.

How will this generate more tax money?

The Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (Wallop Breaux Act) supports acquisition, development, renovation, or improvement of facilities that create or add public access to the waters of the US to improve the suitability of such waters for recreational boating purposes. The State of Florida receives monies from this fund. One third of the allocation for the boating safety program is determined by the ratio of the number of vessels registered in Florida, compared to the total number of vessels registered in all states.

This is why some states (7) have required nonmotorized vessels to register, to get more of the fund. In Florida, each additional boat registered generates approximately one additional dollar for boating safety in Florida.

Why dont we want item number 4?

First of all, the powerboaters are using the excuse that non-motorized vessels use a lot of search and rescue resources from local communities. They have not, however, provided any data that supports this claim. In reality, the data shows that most serious incidents and death in most counties involve powerboats.

Second, there is a big question as to how much money this would generate. If 50,000 non-motorized vessels register, is an additional $50,000 in funds statewide worth the hassle and cost of requiring registration?

There has also been no definition of what non-motorized means? Kiteboarders? Windsurfers? What size catamarans? Dingys? All kayaks?

There is also no word on how the money will be spent. Catamaran sailors do not usually use boat ramps. How do we benefit as a group?


What can you do?

If you live in one of the counties listed, get involved. You would be surprised at what one person can do. Find out who (talk to your local Parks and Recreation dept) is working on this issue and go to the meetings.

IF YOU LIVE IN BREVARD COUNTY, there is a county commision meeting TOMORROW ON THIS ISSUE FOR BREVARD COUNTY. I dont have a time yet, but it should be in the afternoon. These are the options before the commision:

The Board is presented with four options:
1. Take no action on the entire resolution
2. Endorse Option A to include Provision 4
3. Endorse Option B which excludes Provision 4
4. Provide other staff direction.

I believe we should be pushing for OPTION B, which includes items 1-3 and EXCLUDES item 4.

TODAY!! TODAY!!! CALL, EMAIL, AND FAX THE COMMISSIONERS BELOW:

BTW: Pritchard is behind the powerboaters, so it most likely wont do much good to call him.

District 1: Commissioner Truman Scarborough
400 South Street, Suite 1-A, Titusville, Fl 32780
Phone: (321)264-6750 Fax: (321)264-6751
Email to:[email protected]

District 2: Commissioner Ron Pritchard, D.P.A.
CHAIRPERSON
2575 N. Courtenay Parkway, Merritt Island, Fl 32953
Phone: (321)455-1334 Fax: (321)455-1333
Email to:[email protected]

District 3: Commissioner Helen Voltz
VICE CHAIRPERSON
1311 E. New Haven Avenue, Melbourne, Fl 32901
Phone: (321)952-6300 Fax: (321)952-6340
Email to:[email protected]

District 4: Commissioner Sue Carlson
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building C, Viera, Fl 32940
Phone: (321)633-2044 Fax: (321)633-2121
Email to:[email protected]

District 5: Commissioner Jackie Colon
1515 Sarno Road, Building B, Melbourne, Fl 32935
Phone: (321)253-6611 Fax: (321)253-6620
Email to:[email protected]

Keep in mind if they start registering, it will start by requiring all those vessels to get titles. That's 45 dollars. Then the state will charge a yearly fee.

As a owner of a power boat also I do understand the need for access. It's becoming a large problem with all the waterfront turning into condo's but I'm totally against having to register my cat or yak.

Let us know what happens with the meetings if you can.

Where do they drawn the line on registrations?

I mean, technically isn't the $10 inflatable raft at Pacfiics/Wings considered some kind of "boat"?

I believe the law is any non motorized vessel under 25' does not require registration. However anything using a motor,cat,canoe,etc regardless of size or HP must be registered.

So far, attempts to get the Florida Legislature to require registration for nonmotorized vessels have failed, thanks to public protest and media editorializing against it. This is the first time I have seen attempts by individual counties within Florida.

Scary.

In Ohio, the other State where we live, you have to have registration numbers on pretty much anything that floats, including sailboards, Snarks, whatever -- probably even those walk-on-water things.

so my swim-noodle is illegal without registration numbers?

Don't ask; don't tell.

Thats something I still dont understand, why just those particular counties!?! And the registration would have to be done by the state, so there still requires state legislation.

This has a huge inpact on people that rent kayaks, or canoes like at Wakava Springs. They may have to register 50 or more canoes! And most kayak rentals sell their rentals each year.

One more interesting note...

The Sport Fish Restoration Act of 1950 (Wallop Breaux Act) gets its funding from taxes paid on gas.

A formula is used and a certain percentage of all gas tax is attributed to boat gas, and that money goes into the Wallup fund which is divided up to the states.

Now, if your state gets non-motorized boats to register, they get more money. However, non-motorized boats of course dont use gas, so the 7 states that require registration of non-motorized vessels are actually getting an unfair proportion of the fund compared to what they are putting in in gas tax.

A suggestion has been floated to clarify the Wallop Breaux Act so that non-motorized vessels dont count, which would lessen the push for registration.

Even as said in the original post since this is inevitable thanks to the resurging popularity of exercise water sports, Kayaking,sailing and the like, a proposal to have mandatory mast up storage for a set amount of boats every 75miles or each county around the coast could be made. This would also include beach access for windsurfer, kayak ,kite board ilk . At present in central and southern Palm Beach Co. there is huge shortage of weekend access for power boaters. Ramps and parking spaces are severely in demand.So you know that some of the money for boater registration is applied to refurbishing parks to accomodate the boating public.At least they are trying here in PBC. It's what everyone wants is'nt it , No !

After having been through this in Texas my recommendation is to fight. Contact your local representative and make it clear that if they do not vote against a law to register non-motorized boats you will:


-Vote against them at the next election
-Send money to their opponents at the next election
-Come to public meeting and ask embarrassing questions

And that you are also planning to distribute the names of the supporters of this law to the local catamaran community.

It's winter, get your friends to send emails. Make your local representative think this is really important.

Registering sounds simple but it is a real pain in the butt and is expensive.

Currently you are not part of the great and all powerful "System". Nobody cares about you and nobody thinks you are worth enough to bring into the "System". To register boats you must be brought into the "System". For example to make registering boats work, you must title them (how do you enforce a ticket written against an unregistered Sunfish skippered by someone wearing a lifejacket and a bathing suit with no ID). Titling and Registering boats is expensive, at least as much as registering a car. To pay for making the "System" work for boats, you must tax the boats (sticker taxes, Title Transfers, Sales Tax, etc)


Also you don't fit the "System". Many non-motorized boats have no ID numbers or their ID numbers do not match what the state expects on their form. Registering a Marstrom is a 2 day job in Texas.

If you need to explain why this law is stupid send some of these question to your local representative:

Since the stickers will not stick to Teflon paint, can I put them on before I paint the boat? (i.e I will put your sticker on but then I am going to paint over the cursed thing)

I don't have a hull number, can I register my sail number?

what if my hull numbers don't match?

which side of which hull do I put the stickers on?

do I put the stickers on the inside or the outside of my hulls?

I'm still not sure what you are saying, could you just give me 4 stickers to put on the inside and outside of each hull?

What if I buy 2 new hulls, sell one of my old ones to someone, and keep one as a spare? (be sure to get the answer to this in writing)

Colorado is a counter-example to the assertion several people have made that if sailboats are registered they must also be titled. The park service handles registration, and there are no titles. Certain small water craft, like kayaks, are not required to be registered. Since the park service manages many lakes in Colorado and maintains the associated facilities, it makes sense that they should get a few bucks to do it.

Also, it's not terribly difficult to figure out where to put the registration numbers and annual stickers. The scheme seems to be the same in most states.

Boat trailers are another matter. A friend and I have both experienced numerous ridiculous problems getting used boat trailers registered and titled in Colorado. A minimum of three trips to the DMV!

You should try titling and registering used trailers in Maryland, especially if the trailer came from out of state (and it seems you always end up traveling to buy a cat from somewhere else). I'm convinced the trailer dealers must have some lobby connection, because in some cases it's far easier to trash your existing trailer and buy a new one. Seems to have gotten worse the last couple of years.

Where the hell is that? I'm offended, Nazi!!!!

Where the spelling nazi when you need them!?

Wakiva

http://www.abfla.com/parks/WekiwaSprings/wekiwa.html

Im off to the meeting along with Roy Laughlin, Ill let youll know how it goes.

Brian

Ditto Colorado in Kansas. ALL powered AND nonpowered vessels are not titled, but must have registration (3 years=$28) and numbers, which is controlled by the Fish & Game department. A park ranger may issue a citation against the registration number. Being landlocked, this is obviously simpler than a coastal state. Accessment of personal property taxes are based on the registration. None in Florida? A trailer is titled, but only liscenced if total road weight is 2,000 lbs. or greater.

Just got back from the Brevard County Commish Meeting

The proposal to investigate registration fees for non-motorized vessels was dropped. Thats one battle won.

I also learned a bit more. There were 13 counties in Florida that were looking into this issue. The 13 counties are part of the Manatee Protection Program, mainly because they have a significant amount of waterfront areas.

The counties are looking into proposals that will essentially be sending a message of support or not to the state legislature.

Next year most likely, the Powerboat Groups will bring this up at the state level. The more counties that do not support it, the better chance that it will not be passed in the state legislature.

So Brevard County said no. I hope some of you that live in the other counties will get involved and speak up for catsailors in your area.

I also heard that some states are looking at repealing there registration requirement (Arizona may already have??)

Actually all of our trailers are registered,about 17 bucks a year. Fla. bases the cost of registering a trailer on it's empty weight. Trailers 2000 lbs. and up are titled as well as registered. Like a car.

What I do here and what might work for you guys having trouble getting your trailers registered is tell them it's a homemade trailer. I've never had a problem doing it this way.

Other states may register without titling but I'm sure Fla. would. We went through this with dirt bikes. We have an area that the state runs that charges us 50 bucks a year for a permit. In 2002 they changed the law requiring all dirt bikes to have titles. All the bikes built before that year had to get titles to get the permit. I have two atv's and two dirt bikes. 45 per title and 50 per permit. Not bad, but It adds up.

Now for the kicker..Before this law took effect I could sell a bike with a bill of sale. Just like selling a tv, catamaran, etc. Now you have to go to the tax collector to transfer title. One of the questions your asked is.... are you ready??? HOW MUCH DID YOU PAY FOR IT. The state collects sales tax on the purchase. You think your going to say I paid 100 bucks for a 2003 Tiger to avoid it but then the tax collector pulls out the NADA boat book and finds your boat and...... you know what she see's. They charge a tax based on the average listed in that book. If you have an older boat that doesn't appear you might skirt it but the last time I looked in that book a early 80's model H-18 was worth 1500 bucks.

Now, who wants registering?

Jeff, what you guys pay seem very reasonable but state and federal lands don't belong to them they belong to us. We should have access to them without cost. We already pay taxes that buy them and fund them. This topic comes up now and then, The city wants to buy some water front property for millions of dollars to put in a park. You know some plants, benches and trees. A fine addition to our city they say. A real nice place to eat your lunch. There's no charge to walk into the park on side walks, to eat there, admire the groomed grass and fauna, and use the garbage cans to dispose of your lunch wrapper. Yet there is a cost in maintaining that park. Who pays for that? Why don't they require a permit to eat lunch?

We should have the same access.

My 0.02 cts.

In MD all trailers are both titled and registered. If a trailer comes in from out of state, they look it up in a book to see if it's a title state or not. If not, then there's other requirements - a notarized bill of sale, and a registration if it's a registration state. If you don't have the requirements met, you need to go back to the seller and have them come up with the paperwork, not always an option. The other option is to put everything you have together and petition the courts to award you ownership. I haven't tried that one yet, sounds like a pain.

I'll be going through all this with my Corsair trailer - the boat came from Sarasota, and the previous owner kept it a yacht club and never registered it. I have a notarized bill of sale, but no registration. If I can't title it, I may have to trash it or sell to somebody out of state. Fortunately it's on its last legs anyway.

On the homebuilt thing - we've some good and bad luck on that one. They've started to catch on and require a visual inspection (by State Police) of the trailer to verify its homebuilt status.

My worst one was when I bought my Hobie-20. It came from Connecticut, a non-title state. But the fellow I bought it from was moving to Illinois, a title state. Somewhere on the paperwork he put his new Illinois address, and that was it - I couldn't title the trailer until I had an Illinois title in hand. No form of logic worked. I ended up selling the boat and trailer to a friend who sold the trailer to his father in a non-title state for $1. His dad registered it there, and then in the end it was transfered to Virginia using the new out of state registration and a bill of sale back. All this for a boat trailer...

The funny thing is that all this crap just encourages people to find ways to circumvent the law. The intent to make sure they collect tax on title transfers. But it's such a pain that people end up using one tag on multiple trailers and such, borrowing a tag when they need to move a boat, or not ever titling and registering a trailer if it's not going to see road use. In those cases, the state gets no tax money.

Here, boats without motors need no titles or registration. Although I can see their desire for tax revenue to help upkeep waterways and such, I hope they never start with the titles and registration on non-motorized boats - too many boats have neither and if they don't properly grandfather them in it will be a nightmare trying to sell or buy a boat.

Also in MD, for boats that do get titled and registered, there is a 30 day period for completing that paperwork. If you don't do it within that period you get fines added to the tax. This was done because they found people were keeping their boats under other state's registration to avoid the sales/transfer tax.