Blewbyyou

Does anyone know the advantages/disadvantages of buying a boat that is coast gaurd registered? Ohio title department is telling me that you have to pay taxes on them, but other states you don't. I am told that there is no title (per say) to change over. That makes me a little nervous. If anyone knows anything about this please let me know. I was ready to buy the boat, but now it starting to sound to complicated.

HELP!!!!!!!

liquid asset

I have had my last 3 coast guard docked and everything was fine, sometimes the lender will require it, but they are cracking down on taxes, your still supposed to pay your tax, it just makes it easier to get out of it, but now in Texas starting 1-1-05, you now have to run the square registration sticker, but no TX numbers, so they nail you with Taxes to get the sticker, I just like the cleaner look of no TX numbers, and most finance places will let you handle your own taxes if you dock it, wink wink, but dealers ussally will not

hope this helps

pwam1

Like Jason says, it really is a non-issue. There are a number of places that will handle the paperwork for you for a fee. I paid around $350 last time. Then you just renew it every year (no fee).
Most states are now requiring you to register it with the state also, so they can collect sales taxes, etc.
With documentation you have less chance of being hasseled by the WP, if you are not from their jurisdiction.
Don't worry about the title. The Certificate of Documentation takes its place until you sell the boat. Then the new owner just needs to present a copy of the former documentation to get a title.

imartin

I too like the cleaner look without the numbers, but I was thinking it is good reason to be stopped too. Just one more chance for the water cops to ask, "have you had anything to drink today?"