GLH,

We used to live in NH also and we continued to register our boats there for many years after. You do NOT have to live in NH to have your boat registered there and if it is a documented vessell, as long as the home port on the transom is located in NH you can dodge the sales tax issue also.

...I found this out because when we bought our TG we listed the home port as Naples, Maine and we got stuck paying the sales tax ...should have listed Laconia, NH. that mistake cost us five thousand bucks

If you have the boat documented normally you would not have to pay state registration unless there is a statute on point. In Florida you are required to pay a local waterway usage tax on documented vessels which is evidenced by a sticker identical to a Florida registration sticker. I also think that they tag you for sales tax at that same time. My boat is documented but I have not paid the local registration fee. I figure that $14,500 pays alot of tickets!! Besides, I have been pulled over many times and they dont know whats going on either, I just always have my USCG documentation paperwork in order. The other angle is to pick an out of state hailing port that has no usage tax or sales tax and then just go where you want. Remember there is no restriction on out of state boat to use waterways. Just some food for thought. I would consult with a documentation service for more accurate info.

http://www.hsmv.state.fl.us/dmv/vslfacts.html#3