Boat Registration in FL
 

I had a house in NH and registered my last boat there, now that that dwelling is gone. I plan on registering my next boat in FL. So I have a few questions;
Boat likely 2000 42' or 38', Location in FL will be Marco Island if the county matters.

-If I have a documented boat (Coast Guard Certificate) Do I need to register in Florida?

-How much is it $$ to register a boat in Florida?

-How much to register a trailer in FL(length relative to the boat)?

Thank you for all the help. Sorry about the questions but I have to check all items on the list!!!!

G.L.

I don't know about a documented vessel, but the registration fees of the trailer and the boat are determined by size. It was $81 to register the 302 this year.

Be aware that if you haven't paid the sales tax, they will get it when you register.

I taught there was no sales tax in FL??????
How much is it?


Looks like back to New Hampshire then, more phone calls!

why do you need to register it in a local area when it is Documented??
Thought UCG Documentation was over all local registrations?

It depends on the county. Most are 7% up to the first $5000, then 5% after that.

Probably what you are thinking of is there is no state income tax. You gotta have one or the other. We prefer that the Yankees pay for our roads.:)

not sale tax... no income

if the boat has been doc then you should have to reg it..

CR,
Should or not??? read your quote.


-cuda, in NH there is no sales or state income tax. Property tax is thru the azz but if you own a boat it does not apply. I'm a little sensitive about taxes hell that's the main reason I left Canada. (couldn't afford free healthcare anymore :D)

If the boat is documented by USCG, then I think you are not required to register the boat in FL. Check with the Florida Dept. of Motor Vehicles in Tallahassee. You can go online also, if you have the patience, (sometimes I don't) and look it up. Use a search engine to get started.

I know the legislation varies by state regarding registration of documented boats.

Very helpfull Thanks all.

One other thing. In Florida, the amount, like previously posted, is dependent upon length, and the amount never depreciates over time. It will cost the same amount year after year after year. Unlike autos that cost less as time goes on and the vehicle gets older.

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 :mad: ...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.