Conference vicki::boats

    On a new boat Yes you do have to pay sales tax in Mass. And yes
    you have to register in N.H. for fresh water use. The way around
    the sales tax is to register in Maine with a non-resident exemption.
    
                                                         Guy

    For ocean water you need to have a bow number on your boat. The
    NH plate is not enough. Maine will issue to non-residence and if
    your boat is not in the state for more than 75 days, for $4.00 they
    will issue you a registration. Due to the process time it is faster
    to go to Portland City Hall or Scarboro (sp) Town Hall on RT 1. When
    they issue the registration besure it has the bow numbers. They
    will have to call Augusta to get the numbers. The phone number for
    Augusta is 207-289-3306 for Scarboro is 207-883-5986. 
    I just did this 2 weeks ago for my new boat. OH, they will also
    need a copy of your bill of sale on the boat. Hope this helps
    
    	Mike
    

    On a related question, can someone tell me how much the NH
    inland (lakes) registration costs?  I seem to recall that it
    was priced by horsepower...

    Thanks.

    I have been told by the Mass Environmental Police that NH inland
    registrations are not valid in Mass and Mass inland registrations
    are not valid in NH.  
    
    Most states have a reciprocal deal where they honor the registrations
    from other states.  NH, and I believe Washington State, did not
    adopt the reciprocal deal.
    
    I don't know about the Mass sales tax issue...
    
    Kevin
    

    
    	Mass & N.H. don't "reciprocate" well, on a whole bunch of things.
    
    	The cost of getting N.H. plates is difficult to figure out,
    basically they have a formula to figure value based on length o/a,
    horse power and year.  Then there are all sorts of little adders
    and extras for guests and non-residents.  They wanted about $42
    per year for my little 17ft bow rider, 140HP; I politely declined.
    
    	Reg
    

RE: Note 54.5    
    
  >>Mass & N.H. don't "reciprocate" well, on a whole bunch of things.
    
In this case it is New Hampshire that does "reciprocate" well with
anyone since they do not recognize or honor any other state's regis-
trations. Mass will accept the registration of any other state that
participates in the national system. I believe that NH residents also
need to get Coast Guard tags or register in another state to use coastal
waters since the NH registration is good for NH inland waters only.

It cost me $16 to register my 14' Alumacraft with a 40hp outboard in NH,
after already having it registered in Mass. It is a ripoff, but they
probably figure they can get away with it since they already have more
boaters than they can handle. They know they've got some nice lakes up
there, and they know that most of us will pay to use them rather than
stay home.

Rick W.

    The way I heard it was if you have NH coast guard numbers, MASS
    is the only state that won't let you use their inland waters.
    I used the advice of the notes file and got ME numbers so the MASS
    cops don't know where I'm really from.  4 bucks is a bargin!
    NH got me for $24 for a 17ft with 115 hp.  Worth it considering
    all the other taxs we pay in NH.
    
    bill

	Just to muddy things up a little more, both NH and MASS boat 
registrations are recognized in the border lakes & ponds.

These lakes/pond are:

	Lake Monomonac	-->	Winchendon, Ma / Rindge NH
	Robbins Pond	-->	Winchendon, Ma / Rindge NH
	Long Pond	-->	Tyngsboro & Dracut, Ma /  ??? NH
	Bent Pond	-->	Warwick, Ma / ??? NH
	Tuxbury Pond	-->	Amesbury, Ma / ??? NH

	We had a fishing tournament in Lake Monomonac last year.  I have two
boats, one a bass boat registered in MA, and the other a 12' aluminum with a
2 hp engine registered in CT.  I was told by both MASS registry and the NH
registry that my Mass registered boat was ok in Monomonac, but that I would
need to get NH or MA registration for the small boat...

	How's that for screwed up?????

							Al

    
    I think this was addressed somewhere else in this file but I don't
    know where. 
    
    What are the requirements for N.Y. state for reg. Two years ago
    I used my N.H. reg. with no problem has this changed? Or is it still
    the same? Also I read something about a usage fee? I want to go
    out again for a three day weekend and don't want to pay for something
    I don't need.
    
    Thanks Dave B.
    
    Guess this means I should sign in note #2
    
    
    

    The reason that NH is not too happy to deal with reciprocity of
    registrations is that 1) we already are overloaded with boats and
    2) there are many more out of staters that would deplete the resources
    of our small state. The residents of our state don't want to pay
    for non-residents' good time. Because when all of the resources
    are dried up, all of the out of staters will go away, but the residents
    will continue to pay and pay.
    
     Mark (resident of NH my whole life)

Let's not overlook the fact that non-reciprocal registration means more 
registration fee income for NH. The state has to make money some way.

:-)

    YEA, LIVE FREE OR DIE, HA!. You'll Die paying all the "taxes". Just
    another note on where you can and can't go in the immediate area.
    Any Mass reg. boat can be put on N.Y. or Ct. waters with no permits
    or taxes if your not a resident. The owners of NH reg. boats must
    obtain registrations those states if they are to use them. Re -.1
    its also a nice way to lose important revinue to your bordering
    states. I'm sure Lake George sucks up alot of the bucks that might
    have been spent on a Whinni vacation. 

    Please go to Lake George. Winni is already overloaded. You guys
    just don't seem to get the point. We ARE trying to discourage a
    percentage of the out-of-staters from coming to NH. If you have
    ever been to Winni or any of the other major lakes with good access,
    you know damn well what a zoo it becomes during tourist season.
    
     Unfortunately, a few bean heads blow it for the rest of you. It's
    not just the population explosion, it's also the fact that alot
    of yahoos come from out of state, drink their beer, toss the cans
    in the water, drive their boats too fast and without control, and
    generally wreak havoc until they leave. I'm not saying that all
    NH residents are angels, but as far as keeping up the place, the
    residents have more to lose by being pigs. 
    
    <flame-on>
     As far as paying taxes goes, I'd keep the money left over from
    the fees since we don't have any income tax, but "spend it now"
    Mike takes it all!! Live free or live in Massachewsits! At least
    our governor doesn't give convicted murderers weekend passes! :-)
    <flame-off>
    
     Mark (just_don't_get_me_started:-))          
    
    

    You should try living in NH, working in Mass and paying Mass
    income tax.  That is one healthy road use fee. If you have to
    pay a fee to NH to use the lakes I really bleed for you.

    	- Lee

    But the roads are nice, aren't they, and we do appreciate your support.
    And don't bleed.....I've read that all the Mass nuts are up on Winni
    so i'll stay behind on all the vacant water down here. 
    
    Ray

< Reply to Note 54 >

I was talking to some people about taking a boat to New Hampshire from
Mass and they told me about their last trip there.  They got a $50 fine
for having a 2 HP motor on a canoe that wasn't registered in NH.  

That, to me sounds ridiculous.  It seems to me that a warning should have
been more inline that to slap a fine on them.  It made them very unhappy,
spoiled their day, and they said they don't plan on going back to NH again.

Needless to say, I don't plan on taking a boat there now.  

								Rob.

     Fines are a drag- it sometimes pays to check the laws in the state
    you are about to boat in. The law is that ANY power on the canoe
    makes it necessary to register it. My uncle had to register his
    canoe because it has an electric trolling motor on it.
    
     Sometimes your reaction to being stopped has a causal relationship
    to whether you get fined or not. If those people didn't have a bad
    attitude, they should have been let off with a warning. I've seen
    alot of people get tickets because of abusive or obnoxious behavior.
    
     Mark

    
    Rob,
    I wouldn't take it personally, i.e. never going back there because
    of a $50 fine. The subject of NH registrations has already been
    discussed extensively here, but whether right or wrong it *is* the
    law. NH does have some beautiful lakes, so by not going back you
    and your friends will be the ones to suffer, not the state of NH.
    I'm sure they don't care if you come back or not.
    
    Rick W.

Rob,
	Oh by the way the law is the same in Massachusetts too, and in Conn.  I
have yet to find a cop willing to hear the "I didn't know" plea.  The laws are
very clear.  Where do you draw the line?  Currently if the watercraft has a
mechanical power source, it needs to be registered. 

	Oh by the way last year I got bagged for throwing up a wake in a 'no
wake zone' that was not marked as such, but the geography (i.e. less than 150'
from docks) dictated no-wake.  I was just doing what I had seen hundreds of
others do before me.  I was just foolish enough to do it while the cop was
sitting there (I knew he was there, I did not know it was a no-wake zone).  For
the sum of $40 the nice policeman educated me as to the error of my ways.  When
I told my neighbors what had happened the standard response was "How are we
supposed to pull waterskiers through there if it's no-wake?" 

	It was an expensive lesson, but there is no doubt in my mind how fast I
go through that channel now..... 

						Al 

    If it's a no-wake zone, the answer is that you're not supposed to
    be pulling skiers through, although I imagine that all of us
    responsible skiers know that anyway... 8-}
    
    I have considered a polyethylene line between our dock and shore
    a number of times, driven by local skiers.  The 50' poly pennant
    on the skiff has yielded one mildly amusing incident...
    
    J

< Reply to Note 54.19 by HPSCAD::WHITMAN "Acid rain burns my BASS" >
                      -< mechanical power = registration >-

Rob,
	Oh by the way the law is the same in Massachusetts too, and in Conn.  I
have yet to find a cop willing to hear the "I didn't know" plea.  The laws are
very clear.  Where do you draw the line?  Currently if the watercraft has a
mechanical power source, it needs to be registered. 

						Al 
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't know that any watercraft with a mechanical power source needed to
be registered.  I guess that means canoes with little electric motors 
should be registered.  That's nice to know as I was thinking of getting an 
electric motor for my canoe.  I would never have thought or registering it.
That's why I think a warning would have been more in line than a fine.  It
was just an honest mistake that you should be able to learn from.

								Rob.

    RE: .19
    
    >>  I told my neighbors what had happened the standard response
    >>  was "How are we supposed to pull waterskiers through there if
    >>  it's no-wake?"
    
    Buy a MasterCraft!  They advertise "What wake?" so you could pull
    a skier through there without getting in trouble!  :-)  :-)  :-)
    
    					...Roger...
    
    P.S.  No Rick, I haven't lost the faith!

    
    Since we seem to have diverted into the wake / no-wake
    rathole, let me throw this little story out.
    
    Summer of l974, the operator of the Point Judith (R.I.)
    to Block Island (also R.I.) hydrofoil ferry was issued
    a "ticket" by the Coast Guard, citing unsafe operation.
    (A hydrofoil, for anybody that doesn't know, is a boat
    that rides up out of the water on "skis" or "wings"
    that run under the water.  At low speeds, it's a
    normal boat, but at higher speeds it's more of a plane...)
    Specifically (sp?), the hydrofoil was doing over 40 mph
    in a (rather crowded, narrow) harbor posted for 5 mph 
    maximum.
    Said the operator "but I've GOTTA do at least 35 just to
    get it up on the skis!"  Coast Guard questions as to the
    distance it took to STOP from such a condition seem to
    have gone over (or through?) the guy's head. 
    
    Comments?
    
                              - Ed - 

    re:canoes in N.H.
    
    	When you put a trolling motor on a canoe, I've been told that
    a registration is not the only thing you need. You also need floatation
    devices (i.e. life preservers) which isn't a bad idea, a signaling
    device (horn, whistle, etc.), and a fire extinguisher. I can see
    everything but the fire extinguisher. What good would a fire
    extinguisher be in a boat with no fuel ???? If the battery blows,
    looking for a fire extinguisher will be one of the last things on
    my list of priorities.
    
    	RAYJ

    
    Ray,
    OK, 'cept in this case Rob stated that it was a 2hp motor,
    which leads me to believe it is gasoline powered. Electric
    trolling motors are rated in "pounds of thrust".
    
    Rick W.

    re .25
    Electic motors are also rated in HP.
    I just purchased a 3 HP MinnKota 

    And batteries, electric motors, and associated wiring and controls
    are quite capable of starting and sustaining a fire.

    re:27
    
    	1. When is the last time you saw or even heard of that a
    battery/elec. trolling motor caught on fire.
    
    	2. Considering discharging batteries produce a potentially
    explosive gas, I would get out of my canoe faster than ASAP rather
    than try to extinguish it with a fire extinguisher.
    
    	3. A canoe can be rolled at the drop of a pin which should
    extinguish any flames.
    
    	4. More often that not, you will see sparks in the event of
    a short rather than flames. A fire extinguisher will have no affect
    on stopping something from sparking. This means you must first remove
    it from it's power source and once you do that, it's no longer an
    electrical fire and can be extinguished with the water your floating
    on.
    
    	5. Canoes have limited space as it is without putting more stuff
    in them.
    
    	John, I hope that you can see that I am not ragging on you
    personally and hope you don't take this reply that way. I am just
    a "little" annoyed with what I see as stupid rules which leave loop
    holes allowing the law to ticket/harrass me without good reason.
    The "You'll get a fine for not doing it" does not nessecarily make
    it right. Maybe I should capitalize on this and make a 1" x 3" fire
    extinguisher that will fit in a tackle box. After all, it just
    says you have to have one, it doesn't say how big it has to be.
    
    	RAYJ

    I suspect you'll find that it must be USCG approved, of a certain
    size, and permanantly mounted to the boat.
    
    The Vermont State Police pestered me in Lake Champlain about not
    having a life preserver in my canoe, which I thought was somewhat
    rediculous, but I started bringing one along.  Subsequently it saved
    my life.  
    
    Even so, I have no particular objections to anybody that wants to
    go out and self destruct, so in general I don't like helmet laws,
    required equipment, etc.  I will personally choose to observe the
    rules while not appreciating their existance.
    							J

    I did see a battery stack catch fire once, although not in a boat.
    It makes the most amazing mass of melted plastic and red-hot metal
    that you could imagine.  You have to get in and mechanically separate
    the mess to get it to stop fulminating.  Messy and dangerous.
    
    J

    I agree with RAYJ that having a fire extinguisher in a canoe is kind
    of ridiculous. There is no real reason that you should be required
    by law to have one. I didn't know that you needed one; we went salmon
    fishing early this year and didn't have one. The problem is that
    government type people (cops,wardens,government employees <registry>,
    etc) don't have the brains to figure out the "why" of things. They
    can only see the rules. So when the rules say "all powered boats
    shall have a fire extinguisher on board..." nobody can figure out
    what the rationale is behind the rule. So they take one look at
    the electric motor and say "wayull, that there's a motor, aint it?"
    and require you to have a fire extinguisher, even though the
    probability of needing it is remote. 
    
    Mark

>                          -< A fire extinguisher ??? >-

>   re:canoes in N.H.
    
	RAYJ,

	I don't have access to NH rules today however;  the MA rules read as 
	such....
	
	All mechanically propelled vessels less than 26 feet must carry one
	B-1 U.S. Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher.  (Not required on
	outboard motorboats less than 26 feet in length, if the construction
	of such motorboats will not permit the entrapment of explosive or 
	flamable gasses or vapors and if fuel tanks are not permanently 
	installed.)

	rgds__mb

           
   >The Vermont State Police pestered me in Lake Champlain about not
   >having a life preserver in my canoe, which I thought was somewhat
   >rediculous, but I started bringing one along.  Subsequently it saved
   >my life.  
    
    The Massachusetts Registry  approached me one day as I was floating
    around the lake in a 3-man inflatable rubber raft.  They asked me
    if I had a life jacket in the vessel, and I said "this is a joke,
    right?!",  he informed me I was illegal and would have to be
    towed back to shore....

    These guys don't mess around......
                           
         
 					

    
    From a former Coast Guard person, here's a request that
    you consider the OTHER side's way of thinking.  The folks
    doing the enforcement (wardens, cops, fisheries, etc.)
    may occasionally be the dumbos some of you think, but
    usually are NOT.  Frequently, they have seen the fatal
    consequences of seemingly harmless behavior....
    
    For instance.... one day a Coast Guard boat stopped an
    inboard/outboard boat and "terminated" it - that's
    ordered it to shore (in this case, the guy's home dock
    was near enough) and NOT to operate until the condition
    is corrected.  In this case, the condition was that
    the guy had removed a couple of the vent fittings from
    the hull.  The vent tubes were still there, but the
    plates with the slanted slats were removed.  (this cuts
    down quite a bit on the ventilation you get...)  Along with
    the "termination" went a WARNING ticket - no fine unless
    you've already gotten one warning for this.  
    
    The next day, without fixing the condition, the guy took
    the boat out.  You guessed it - a pinhole gas leak
    lead to a fume buildup, and BOOM went the boat.  The
    guy survived with serious burns.  One of his passengers
    died as a result.  
    
    Yes, you can argue that you are entitled to do any damn
    fool thing you want - it's your life, isn't it??
    I agree.  BUT.... how do I know that you are even AWARE
    of what you are doing / risking?  And do you have any
    business putting other people (in your boat or elsewhere
    near you) in the same risk?  If anybody can come up with
    a way to GUARANTEE that only the risk-taker will suffer
    the consequences, I will FIGHT for its adoption.  I
    would love to see the idiots wipe themselves out....
    
    Was that a flame?  Not really, but I could be provoked...
    
                                   - Ed -

    RE: RayJ
    
    Just because I carry a fire extinguisher in my boat doesn't mean
    it won't work on someone else's that's having a meltdown! 
    
    That's one thing that I can think of it being useful for. 
    
    Mike (Navy-trained--to help out strangers in all kinds of need)
    

The latest edition of OFFSHORE reports that beginning January 1 New
Hampshire is going to register boats a la all the other states, and issue
bow numbers. The gist of the article is that this will relieve the Coast
Guard of having to register NH boats for ocean use.

Anyone hear anything about this? 

Is this what we've been waiting for -- the NH registration that will
allow us to use our boats elsewhere without being held up at gunpoint by
taxed states (read that Taxachusetts)??

    I read a article in one of the N.H newspapers that this was a item of
    consideration in the statehouse.  I have not heard any followup as to
    whether it was passed or not.  I don't know that just issuing
    registration by bow number will grant reciprocity in the other states?
    Dont we (NH) have to have a formal agreement with other states?  I
    can't imagine NH giving up the tax $$ generated by those temporary
    out of state registrations each summer.

    re .37	Does NH have temporary registrations? I haven't registered
    my boat in NH in several years, but when I did you had to get the
    registration for the entire year (I think). What is $ difference
    between the temps and yearly?
    
    Thanks
    Rich

    
    
    	As I understand it, the bow registration numbers are not for
    inland waters where you'll still be required to attach the 'NH BOAT'
    plates.
    
    
    Steve D
    

    I Called the Dept Of Marine Safety and they said that the deal this
    year is the bow numbers with applications being mailed (computer
    willing) on Feb 15th. They still have no reciprical agreements with
    any other states, but are considering this...I now register my boat
    with Maine and will continue to use these numbers for the new NH
    registration.
    
    					Jim
    

    Oh well, there goes my license plate collection :^(
    Here comes those unsightly bow numbers.
    I imagine they won't have 'vanity' alpha-numerics. (?)
    
    Doug "YNOT"

re .40 - Does this mean two sets of bow numbers?  I also register with Maine so
that I can go out of NH.  If NH also issues bow numbers; but, has no
reciprocity agreements, does this mean two sets of bow numbers?  If NH isn't
going to reciprocate, I really don't mind the "plates", especially since I
already have the holes in my transom!

    From what I was told, you have to submit your Maine numbers with
    your new registration. This will allow you to use only one number
    on your boat...
    
    
    				Jim
    

    
    Where do you register your boat in New Hampshire ??  Do you go to
    the town hall like your car plates and registration ??? Do you have
    to call The Dept.of Safety in Concord ?? I have Mass registration
    and just moved to New Hampshire,Must know soon !! Its for inland
    waters only,its only a 12 foot v-hull with a electric motor.. 
    
    Looking for help
    
    Arnie

    RE -.1
    
    Well, you used to be able to do it at your local sporting goods
    store (in New Ipswich that would be 'Sportsman's Corner').  With
    the new rules however, this may no longer be the case.
          
    Later,
    Brian
    

    
    re: .45
    
    	I'm sure this will still be the case.... marinas and sporting
    goods type places handling NH boat registrations.
    
    Rick

I recently moved from Taxachusetts to New Hampshire, and will be buying
a new boat in April.  My plans are to use the boat in NH inland waters,
Mass. inland waters, and Cape Cod Bay.  I'm trying to figure out the least
expensive and most legal way to do this. To put it bluntly, I don't want
to pay over $500 in sales tax to Uncle Mike.

1) From what I understand, after the boat has been registred in NH for one
   year, I can register in Mass. as a non-resident without paying sales tax.
   Is this true?

2) As I understand it, the new NH coastal registration (bow numbers) still
   will not get me into the inland waters of any other state.  Anyone know
   whether this is true?  Also, will it be valid for Mass. coastal waters?

3) What about a Maine non-resident registration for Mass. coastal and inland
   waters, and a NH inland registration for the NH inland waters.  Would this
   meet my needs as listed above, and would it be legal? 


If need be I'll just get a NH coastal and inland registration and wait another
year before registering in Mass.  I can do without boating in inland Mass.
waters for a year before I'll pay the $500 tax.  I don't mind needing a CPA
to do my taxes, but a needing a lawyer to register my boat sure $uck$.

Any comments or suggestions?

Rick W.

    
    RE: -1  
    I can only comment on part one of the question.
    
    Yes, you are correct that if you have your boat registered
    in NH for a certain amount of time you can get a Mass registration
    without paying Mass sales tax.  You had mentioned one year,  I
    had thought it was 6 months,  if you really want to be sure you
    could call the Registry of "Toys"/Recreational Vehicles,  the number
    in Worcester, MA is (508) 753-0603 or Lowell, MA (508)? 459-9397.
    They should be able to give you all the details.
    
    
    On a side note,  how do these new NH bow numbers work again??
    
    If I live in Mass.  I get my mass numbers first and NH will use
    the same numbers??  Do I have Both MS and NH lettering??
    What if you are a NH resident getting a Mass registration,
    whos numbers do you use???
    
    It sounds like the bow of my boat is going to be a mess...
    
    /Mike Smith
     

>> 1) From what I understand, after the boat has been registred in NH for one
>>    year, I can register in Mass. as a non-resident without paying sales tax.
>>    Is this true?

This depends on who you get at the boat registry.  Last spring the told me
it had to be registered for six months.

>> 2) As I understand it, the new NH coastal registration (bow numbers) still
>>    will not get me into the inland waters of any other state.  Anyone know
>>    whether this is true?  Also, will it be valid for Mass. coastal waters?

I had the NH coastal numbers but checked and found out it wasn't good for
inland waters.  It is good for coastal waters in MA or anywere else under
Coast Guard juristiction.  I know one person who used his in FL, but they
arn't as concerned about the loss of possible reveneu to NH residents.

>> 3) What about a Maine non-resident registration for Mass. coastal and inland
>>    waters, and a NH inland registration for the NH inland waters.  Would this
>>    meet my needs as listed above, and would it be legal? 

I have no experence with the ME non-resident temp registration, so I can't
say.  The MA registration is good in ME and a regular ME registration is
good in MA.

keith

My experience: I live in NH. Bought a new boat (doesn't matter where),
paid no sales tax. Registered it in NH. 

Drove down to Lowell to register it in Mass so I could go in the ocean,
was told I *would have to pay sales tax* -- I left them with a rather
rude suggestion as to what they could do with a tax levy on a sale that
never took place in their state. I waited a year, using the boat only in
NH. Following year, went to Lowell again, having been told the same thing
someone just mentioned here, that "after a {year,six months,whatever} you
don't have to pay the tax". Wrong, sort of. They didn't want _sales_ tax
this time, they wanted _use_ tax. Happened to be the same % as the sales
tax. I left (unregistered), for the last time.

I registered the boat with the Coast Guard (and NH). I'll do anything I
can to _not_ pay Taxachusetts their extortion; I'll even register in
Maine, and pay their tax, which is based on the length of the boat. In
fact, last fall I did just that. Guess where I can use my boat? Anywhere.


(sometimes childish, vindictive:) Art

    Register it in Maine. 
    
    The cost is $4.00 (yes four) for my 12' and I did not see any higher
    charges for larger boats.
    
    In Maine there is a town excise tax for boats BUT when you get
    the State form obtain an excise tax exemption form and fill it in
    stating that you reside and keep the boat outside Maine and that
    it will not be used in Maine for greater than 75 days in a year.
    
    You will then get ME bow numbers good for 48 states.
    
    BTW - in Maine they renew your registrations on the anniversary
    of the date you first registered, eg June 10 to June 9th. But at
    least they gave me 6 months notice to re-register.
    
    David.
    
    

RE: .51 and others...

Sounds like Maine registration is the way to go.  Now you mentioned
doing it by mail.  Do you know the address for me to write to, or at
least a phone number to get me started? 

Thanks for your help!

Rick W.

    
    	For phone numbers in Maine see note 54.2
    	A Maine Registration (non-resident tax-exempt) is $ 4.00
    	for any size boat and horse-power, just as long as your
    	boat is not commerical or in the STATE greater than 75 days.
    	The Maine registration is good in other states except NH,
    	Washington State and Alaska.
    
    		Good Luck
    
    		Mike
    
    

	Dept. of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife
	Licensing Division
	284 State Street
	State House Station 47
	Augusta, Maine 04333	

	Phone # 207-289-3371






			1989 Boat Excise Tax Exemption

		(To be submitted with Boat Registration Application)



	Owner's Name_______________________________________________________

	Owner's Address____________________________________________________


	___ Resident    ___ Non-Resident     ___ Partnership, Corpation,
	                                         Business

	Municipality in Maine where vessle is principally moored, docked,
	or located:_______________________________________________________

	Boat Registration No:  ME___________Year:_________Make:___________

	Serial Number:______________________Length:_______Horsepower:_____


	I hereby claim excise tax exempt on this vessel because the vessle:


	(  ) Is a lifeboat or raft carried by another vessle.

	(  ) Is a demonstrator of stock in trade (dealers only).

	(  ) Is a commerical vessel with no established base of 
	     operation in Maine.

	(  ) Will not be in Maine more than 75 days this year. (NOTE - 
	     This refers to number of days physically present in state,
	     regardless of the number of days in use). (Non-commercial
	     vessels only).

	(  ) Is 20 feet of less in length and does not use any type of 
	     motor power.

	(  ) Was exempt from property tax (State Basis)________________


	I realize that submitting a false statment to avoid payment of the
	excise tax is a criminal offense. The town will be notified if I
	claim an exemption.




	_________________________        __________________________________
	        (Date)                          (Signature of Owner)

    RE: .54
    
    Thanks for the info!  I called the Dept. of Fisheries and Wildlife
    on Thursday, and on Saturday received the form in the mail.  It
    came with a copy of the excise tax exemption form, so registration
    will only cost me $4.00.  I figure my NH registration will cost
    about $20, so for a total of $24 I'll be able to go anywhere.  Much
    cheaper than the $500 sales tax that Mass. wanted for the privilege
    of registering in their state. I love it. 
    
    Rick W.

For further information on this topic take a look at topic #1009 over
in the RAINBO::FISHING notes conference.  I just called a number that's
posted there for the "NH Department of Bureaucracies" or something like
that.  I spoke with a semi-rude woman who sounded like she's tired of
answering the same questions over and over.  

Anyway, I thought I had my problems solved by getting a Maine bow number
and a New Hampshire transom license plate.  No such luck, NH is no longer
issuing the transom plate at all.  They are assigning bow numbers only,
and you must determine which state will be your primary use.  If it is
NH, you must have NH bow numbers and then get a "secondary" use sticker
from the other state you're registered in.  Since other states do not have
these recopricity problems, I don't know if they even issue "secondary
use" stickers.

She told me my other option is to claim Maine as my primary state.  NH
will then issue me a "non-resident" secondary use sticker to be put on
the bow.  I pointed out to her that I *am* a NH resident, but she said
if my primary use state is Maine I would still have to use the non-resident
sticker in NH.  Technically this doesn't even sound legal, since I will
probably never even use my boat in Maine.  I also have doubts about whether
other states such as Mass. would honor a NH registration with a "secondary
use" sticker from Maine.  It sounds to me as if the state of NH is busting
people's chops to the extent of forcing them to find ways to circumvent
the law.

Sooooo, to sum it up, it looks as I have two options:
1) Get NH bow numbers, then try to get a "secondary use" sticker from
   Maine (if there is such a thing) and hope the whole thing is legal
   in other states.

2) Get Maine bow numbers, and a New Hampshire non-resident sticker.
   But then how do I explain the non-resident sticker to the officer
   when the registration address and my drivers license say I live in NH?

Either option sounds like it would be of questionable legality in one
state or another.  You think this is bad enough?  Here's the kicker: The
NH state registry office does not yet have any copies of the registration
forms or stickers.  The woman told me they *MAY* have them by the end of
March, but even then it will take time to distribute them to the dealers.
So, if I choose NH as my primary state I must wait until at least early
April to register there, then wait until after that to register in Maine,
because they will want to know what my NH bow numbers are.  So much for
my April 15 launch date.


Rick W. (And I thought I moved from Mass to NH to get away from this B.S.!)

    I called the Maine Dept of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife Licensing
    Division this morning (207) 289-3371 and requested the non-resident
    registration application. The woman said they were getting alot
    of requests because of the new N.H. bow number system. I'm also
    in the same boat (yuk..) I'll get ME ##### and affix a N.H. sticker
    (or whatever)  I also talked to the N.H. registry to INQUIRE about
    the RUMOUR of doing away with license plates?? The woman said,
    "We are going to the bow numbering system, and we don't know about
    the reciprocity issues yet"  When will you know?  "MAYBE sometime
    the end of March"    
    So, does this mean we'll all get busted for unregistered boats in
    N.H.?  At least I'll be legal in Mass ;^)
    Doug

Doug, 
I just thought of *another* problem with our solution of getting Maine
bow numbers and a NH non-resident sticker.  In order to get the NH non-
resident sticker we must declare that the boat will be in Maine for more
than half the year.  And guess what that means?  We will no longer be
eligible for the exemption on the Maine sales/excise tax.  If your boat
is going to be in Maine for more than 75 days per year you must pay the
tax.

The more I think about this the more complicated it gets.  I suppose you
could tell Maine that you'll be there less than 75 days per year, and
tell NH that your boat spends more than half the year in Maine.  Unless 
the two states communicate you could probably get away with it until you
had an accident - a chance I really don't want to take.

It's beginning to look as if we'll have to go the NH bow number route,
with the Maine secondary sticker.  That's if and when NH ever gets their
act together and prints up and distributes some registration forms.

Rick

    
    Does anyone have anything new to report on this mess?  I've
    called the NH Marine registry (603-271-2333) twice so far,
    and they still can't tell me anything.  The woman was so rude
    I thought I'd dialed the *Massachusetts* registry by mistake.
    She keeps referring me to the dealer I usually do my registration
    with.  When I called the dealer (Silver Sands in Gilford), they
    know absolutely nothing and say the state is not prividing them
    with any information.
    
    Would the first person who hears of a dealer who has the reg.
    forms in stock please post it here?  Thanks.
    
    Rick

    
    I am a Mass resident but I usually register in NH also, to head up
    to the big lakes,  so I am also interested in how all this works
    out.  BUT,  Have any of you NH residents trying contacting your
    state representatives/congressmen.  I would think that they
    had to vote on this or approve it,  so you would think they could
    be held responsible for providing you some info.   That's why 
    they were elected, right?
    
    Like I said I am not a NH resident so I do not know how something
    like this would be changed there,  but somebody has to know whats
    going on.  Spring has almost sprung.  Hopefully, they will let you
    get by with last years reg. until this years is straightened out.
    
    Mike  (who will stay in Mass until NH gets its act together)
     
    

    
    	Here's some info on the NEW registration for NH.
    
    	The state has done away with the plates and gone to the BOW
    	numbering system. The Coast Guard has provided the state with
    	current registration, meaning if you have NH coast guard bow
    	numbers, the numbers are now in the state's database. If you
    	never had bow numbers the state will issue you bow numbers.
    	So NH residents will have bow numbers on there boats for the
    	first time this year. Along with the bow numbers the state will
    	issue a registration sticker, for NH residents the sticker is
    	BLUE and for non-residents the sticker is silver. The sticker
    	is placed next to the bow numbers. 
    	If your boat has been registered in NH, the state will send
    	you a new registration form with bow numbers, for non-residents
    	that already have bow numbers your current numbers can be used,
    	there will be only one set of bow numbers on a boat. 
    	The state has gone to a fresh-water fee system. To use your
    	boat in fresh water you will have to pay a users fee, so what
    	new....
    	When you get your registration form, you can go to any dealer
    	or agent that handles registration and pay your fee, get your
    	sticker and be on your way. BUT if you go to the agent on a
    	saturday morning and FORGET your registration form you are
    	s... out of luck, you will have to go home and get the form or
    	if the form was lost you will have to wait until the next business
    	day to call Concord, so that they can tell you what your bow
    	numbers are. If you just bought your boat the dealer can issue
    	a temporary registration. If you are a NH resident and have
    	Maine bow # like I do, you will probably need to get NH bow
    	numbers and hope that Maine will accept NH registration. 
    	In short NH is going to have reciprocal registration agreement,
    	but you will have to pay a FRESH WATER users fee.
    	The state will be sending in the mail at the end of March the
    	new registration form, the state will also be doing a media
    	blits, hiting the papers, tv and radio. If you do not recieve
    	your registration form by mid April you can call Concord Marine
    	Desk (Paula is the Supervisor) and request the registration
    	form.
    	How did I get this information, well I am taking a Boating safety
    	course in Nashua, Wednesday night a representative from the
    	Marine Patrol (lake police) came and spoke to us. 
    	A word of warning....he told us to make sure our boats were
    	registred before launching, they will be looking for boats
    	that are not registered.
    
    	Summary:
    
    	NH has gone to the bow numbering system.
    	They will have reciprocal registration agreements
    	To use inland fresh waters all boater will have to 
    	pay a user's fee.
    	You need your registration form when you go to an agent
    	to register you boat.
    	New boat owners can get a temporary registration from the 
    	dealer that you purchased the boat from.
    	All boats that are powered by gas, electric, diesel...
    	will need to be registered.
    	All sail boards will have to be registered, on the sail board
    	the registration sticker must be displayed and here's the tricky
    	part...the sail board must have the registration paper work
    	some were on the board or operator...
    
    
    	Hope this helps a little
    
    	Mike

    Mike,
    
    	Thanks for the info....it will help many of us.
    
    							-mike-

    N.H. WILL have reciprocity?? i.e. I'll be able to use my boat in
    Mass, Maine, etc. with N.H. bow numbers?
    Any fee increases over last year for this *privelege*?
    Doug.

    
    	I just called the Maine Registry (Auguata) and asked how Maine
	would treat NH Registration.
    	The person at the registry said that Maine would honnor NH
	Registration.  
    	Now the question is will Mass. ?
    
    	Mike
    	

    
    
    If I get this right, Maine and Mass will honor NH registrations under
    the reciprocity agreement BUT boats with Maine, Mass, etc registrations
    will also have to pay an "inland users fee" to go to NH?
    
    This sounds like NH is making it easy for its boating residents to go
    to other states while discouraging other states boats from going to NH. 
    
    That doesn't sound like reciprocity to me.
    
    Kevin
    

I just called the Division of Marine Law Enforcement in Boston.  Their
answer is "no, we will not accept a NH registration in Massachusetts
fresh water".  The officer was well aware of the changes going on in NH,
and told me that despite anything NH may say about the fact that they
are now reciprocating, they still require a separate permit for fresh
water use.  This still means that NH does NOT reciprocate, therefore
Mass. will not honor any NH fresh water registrations.  He said the 
only way that other states are going to accept the NH registration is
when NH stops requiring a separate permit to operate in their state.  
Massachusetts will, however, now accept a NH registration for salt
water use. 

He said that Mass. will accept the Maine registration, so if you're
a NH resident and wish to operate in Mass. fresh water, you can get
the Maine non-resident registration for 4 bucks.  

He also confirmed the fact that if you are not a Mass. resident, you can
register in Mass. without paying sales tax, providing that you can prove
the boat has already been registered for six months in another state.

Rick W.

    This may be a little off subject, but; with all the changes to NH
    registration, does anyone know if NY will accept a NH registration??
    
    Brian

If the situation is really as described in .66, i.e., and Mass will require
MASS bow number registration for Mass freshwater use by a NH bow number
registered boat, then how does one handle the multiple bow numbers?  Or is Mass
going to issue a sticker to go with the NH bow numbers?  This whole thing is
getting absurd!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The officer I spoke with yesterday told me that Massachusetts will
not issue you just a secondary use sticker if you have NH bow numbers. 
He mentioned something about having a *different* set of bow numbers for
the two states, and having a removable panel to display one set of numbers
or the other.  Wonderful.  I believe that Maine *will* issue a seondary
use sticker, using the same number as your out-of-state bow numbers.

    Also, spoke again last night with my local dealer, Wilderness Marine
in Amherst NH.  They attended orientation at the Marine registry office
in Concord yesterday.  At this time the dealers can only issue "temporary
registrations for new boats".  They will then send the registration to
the state office in Concord, which will issue your bow numbers and mail
the registration back to you.  If you are doing anything other than 
registering a new boat, or are in a hurry as I am, the dealers cannot
help you right now.  You must go directly to the main office in Concord.

    I had hoped to get my NH registration this week, then send mail to
Maine for my Maine registration.  The reason for getting the NH registration
first is that Maine will issue a non-resident sticker, but they need to
know what your out-of-state bow numbers are first.  It looks as if I'll
need to travel to Concord and Maine to do both registrations in person, 
since the christening day of the new boat is fast approaching.  I'd sure
hate to be kept ashore because of NH's fu#%-ups.

Rick W.

    
    Has there been any word of any of this in the papers?  Maybe NH wants
    to run a story but doesn't know what to say. 8-(
    
    If this was happening in Mass I'd expect it.  It's a little wierd for
    NH, though.
    
    Kevin

    I hand delivered a letter to my neighbor, who is a state representative,
    explaining my concerns about this mess.  She said she was not aware of
    what was going on and that the house just voted to pass the boating laws
    as they were recommended by the Boating Committee.  She promised that
    she would pass my letter on to the boating committee and to the tourism
    committee.

    If you are as miffed as I am, why don't you complain to your
    representative also. This probably won't help this year, but maybe next.




                                                 Keith Dilsworth
                                                 Nashua, NH  03062


    Susan Harlan
    State Rep


    Dear Sue,

    I am sure that you know that I enjoy fishing and boating.  In the past,
    all that is necessary is to pay a fee to New Hampshire and get a license
    plate for the boat.  This allowed me to use my boat only in NH.  If I
    wanted to use it in other states, I need a bow number from that state or
    any of the 48 states that have a reciprocal arrangement.  (Not too bad)

    Now, New Hampshire has decided to go to a bow numbering system.  The big
    catch is that is still non-reciprocal.  If anyone from another state
    wants to use their boat in NH, they must pay NH a fee and obtain a
    sticker. (So much for reciprocity)  The problem is that NH residents
    must now put a NH bow number on their boat.  To use their boat in
    another state, they must get a "Alternate Use Sticker" for the state
    they want to use the boat in.  This sticker does not exist in most
    states and by its nature, a different sticker would be required  for
    each and every state you wanted to use your boat in. This is a very big
    hassle and expense for New Hampshire residents. I know several people
    from work that are also very unhappy with all the hassles being dumped
    on us.

    You may think, "Well, he will work it out.  The revenue we get from
    out-of-state boats is what's important."   You do get a lot of revenue I
    am sure, but you also loose a lot.  I know lots of fishermen that will
    not come up here because "I won't pay NH $30-$150 to register my boat."
    Because of that, NH lost $27 for a fishing license.  How many people do
    you think go to NY, VT or ME instead of NH for their vacation because
    their boat can be used there?  What is the loss in tourism? Do we really
    make as much money on boat registrations as we loose in tourism?  I
    think it is time that New Hampshire joined the other 48 states that have
    reciprocity.

                              Sincerely,
                              Keith Dilsworth

I just got off the phone with the Division of Fisheries and Wildlife
in Maine.  I was given some wrong info earlier, the non-resident tax
exemption is only for EXCISE tax, not SALES tax.  If you're a New
Hampshire resident and want to register a new boat for out of state
use, you're gonna pay the 5% sales tax in either Maine or Mass. 
Maine also will not issue a "secondary use" sticker, if you register
in Maine they require you to have Maine bow numbers.  If you register
in Mass. they will require you to have Mass. bow numbers.

So I then called the registry in NH, since they're forcing me register
in another state if I want to travel outside of NH. I asked how I'm
gonna register in both NH and another state, when I can't have 2 sets
of bow numbers?  I also voiced my displeasure over the fact that they
are forcing me to pay over $500 in sales tax to register in another
state.  Granted, NH will get $54 for my registration, but they are
also forcing me to fork over $500+ for sales tax to Mass. or Maine,
money that would have otherwise been spent in my home state of NH.

Basically they have no answers, can't tell me how to make myself legal,
and blame it all on the legislature.  They told me to contact my
legislator, which is exactly what I intend to do.

Rick W.

    It's been confirmed that Maine will accept the NH bow numbers and
    that Mass will not - has anyone talked to VT?  I tried the other
    day but could not get through... donmac

re 72:

Rick,

If your boat was registered for 6 months in NH last year and still have the
registration, you can register it in Mass without paying sales tax.  If you
didn't have it registered, you loose.

I already have MA bow numbers on my boat and plan to try and get the alternate
use sticker for NH.  I am not positive that they will let me, as you must get
bow numbers for the "State of Primary Use".   I will have to say that the
state I primarilly use my boat in is Mass.  NH collects the same fee either
way.

keith

    Is there any difference in the in-state and out-of-state fees?  Since I
    already have my Maine numbers, would the best thing to do be to get a
    NH out-of-state sticker?  If that doesn't work, the best idea I saw in
    this note is to use multiple numbers.  Maybe some velcro on each side
    of my current numbers, with the alternate set in the glove box.  Sort
    of like James Bond's car...
    
    On the charging others for the use of NH lakes... While NH may be one
    of the only states to do this, they are also one of the few that don't
    have an income tax.  That feature of the state is based on charging
    usage fees to all who use the state... The lakes would suffer the loss
    of the revenue.
    
    bill

<   ... On the charging others for the use of NH lakes... While NH may be one
<    of the only states to do this, they are also one of the few that don't
<    have an income tax.  That feature of the state is based on charging
<    usage fees to all who use the state... The lakes would suffer the loss
<    of the revenue.

    Florida and New Hampshire have a few things in common.  They both have no
state income tax,  they both get a tremendous amount of income from tourist
dollars, they both have some great water attractions.  Florida has reciprocity,
NH does not and as been expressed so well in previous replies here, it appears
they are being very short sighted in their view of how much income they are
making by charging out-of-staters, as opposed to how much they lose because
people spend their money elsewhere. 

Al

    Channel 21 News last night reported that because the state is having
    big troubles getting the new registration forms, all valid N.H.
    registrations from last year are extended to May 1, 89.  So, that
    covers April.  
    
    Maybe we'll just skate thru the season one month at a time?  Naaaah!
    
                                       Not throwing away the old plate yet
    
                                                     Tom

��    Florida and New Hampshire have a few things in common.  They both have no
��state income tax,  they both get a tremendous amount of income from tourist

    I bought a boat in Florida and paid a healthy sales tax to
    the state for the privilege.  And, that was back when the
    sales tax was a mere five percent.

    Also, Florida does not have complete reciprocity.  You are
    allowed to use a boat registered or documented elsewhere for
    (I think 60, it might be 90) days within Florida waters
    (including coastal salt water) gratis.  After that, you are
    required to have paid a use fee and display a decal.  The fee
    is $25-$50 depending on the size of the boat.

    
      Well I just got my registration for New Hampshire and I get the
    feeling that N.H. dose not want new boats in there state. Under
    the "NEW" reg. they go by the year the length and anything else
    they can add on. My 1989 22.5' cuddy cab cost 26.00 for registration,
    1.50 for transfer and 112.80 for a boat fee which brings the grand
    total to 140.30. They then give you a temporary reg. which is good
    for 60 days. during that period the state will send your registration
    and bow numbers which you then have to "BUY" and put on the boat.
      The temporary reg. is good inland and coastal.If you had a
    registration last year it is good till may and you should get the
    regisration in the mail by then. 
      The boat fee dose go down as the boat gets older. and N.H. says
    they don't have an excise tax HA.

    
    	Using the "DUCK" theory
    
    	If it looks like a DUCK
    	If it walks like a DUCK
    	If it talks like a DUCK
    
    	It must be a DUCK
    
    	Last year's registration for my 1988 205 (21') Four Winns with V-6 175
    	was $ 62.00 for the year. I hate to think what it is this year.
    
    
    		Mike

    Just for the record. I just registered my 1989 bow rider in N.H
    I am a resident it cost me $96.00 +1.50 for the "USE FEE" This is
    my first boat and from what I understand this is a lot higher than
    last years fees.
    
    I also called the DEPT of Fish and Game in MAINE they handle the
    boat registrations  to see if there was anyway I could get around
    the SALES tax issue that MASS told me I have to pay If I wanted
    to use the boat on INLAND waters  in MASS. 
    
     If I registered in MAINE as a place of primary use I would still
    have to pay a sales tax. There is no exemptions, But they did say
    that  MAINE will honor N.H registrations this year.
      
   Well I guess I will have to be happy boating in N.H and Maine until
   next year (Or 6 months) if you believe the 6 month rule of the sales
    tax being waiverd if its been registered 6 months elsewhere.
    
    Paul
                 
    

    
    
    The Mass Environmental Police told me this morning that NH has
    contested Mass's refusal to honor NH registrations.  It seems that NH
    has met the letter, if not the intent, of the federal reciprocity law. 
    The law apparently does not preclude a state from having an "inland
    users fee."  
    
    So, Mass may eventually be forced to accept NH registrations after all. 
    I suspect that there will be some legal foot dragging before anything
    happens.
    
    
    Kevin
    
    
    
    

Kevin,

	Sounds like GREAT news for us Trailer Boaters!!  THis Mass vs NH
registration stuff has gotten out-of-hand and a CLEAN resolution is long
overdue.  Please keep us posted if you hear anything else.

	Garry (legal in every NE state, the hard way - $$$$)

    
    I am looking for a place in the Nashua area where I can 
    register my boat.  I live in Marlboro, MA. so I am looking for
    someplace close to the Mass/NH border and not too hard to 
    find.  I know of a place on 101 in Amherst,  but I was hoping
    for something a little closer to home.
    
    Hope someone can help me,
    
    Mike Smith    dtn 225-7237   ZEN::SMITH
    

    RE. NASHUA REG.
    
    	CADCRAFT Marine does boat registrations.  They are off of
    	Northeastern Boulevard.  Give them a call at 883-3421 for
    	exact exits and such.
    
    	Moe

A member of the committee who is studying NH's boating registration laws
gave me a call last night to let me know that October 12th at 7pm at the 
Kingswood Regional High School in Wolfeboro there will be a public hearing 
for proposed changes to New Hampshire's Boat Registration program.  

The current draft that the study committee is looking at includes becoming 
reciprocal with other states!  This means that you could register your boat
primarily in NH as a NH resident - and be able to legally take your boat
to other states!  This also means that out of state boaters would not have
to purchase secondary-use stickers for use in NH.   

However, at the last meeting a representitive from the NH Boat Retailers 
association started opposing becoming reciprocal.  There are also a couple
of senators that are against becoming reciprocal.  I was told that right
now, the reciprocity issue could go either way.  It could probably make
it through the House, but may have problems in the Senate.

The member who called me, who is also a member of the Fish and Game 
committee, encouraged me to let folks know that now is the time to have
your voice heard.  A good turnout for either opinion would probably swing
the vote.

There will also be a public hearing over by the seacost on Nov 1st.  I didn't 
get what city it was in, but it's at the Forestry Center by Yokins in Rt 1, 
if anyone is interested, I can find out.

Don Mac

    Don,
    That's Portsmouth...

    I have a copy of the "third draft" of the registration proposal
    being considered for NH. I can mail it to someone if they would
    like to type it in this notefile. Its long, around 13 pages.
    I've looked at it quickly, I don't like what I see. They will
    need an other administration, (more state gmt) to manage
    the details of the plan. Just a lot of fees...
    
    Steve

A long-standing rationale for NOT having a reciprocal agreement was that it
helped prevent the importation of milfoil and other aquatic weeds to NH lakes
by discouraging the once or twice a year day-trippers from other states,
especially boaters from Southern NE states with warmer lakes and more milfoil. 

When I had a trailer boat, I always cleaned the trailer before visiting another
lake and I've been involved with some sailing regattas where we cleaned the
trailers of all visitors before allowing them to launch. Unfortunately I doubt
others are as conscientious. If not having a reciprocal agreement is working
according to this theory; then I suggest we not change the situation.

- Bob
  NH Lake Sailor

I registered my two boats in Maine in '88, good until this Fall. Paid the
token personal property tax to the town. Also registered them in NH.

One of my boats was bought in 1984 in Connecticut, one in 1987 in NH.

Neither of the boats has ever tasted Maine water, and never will.

Well, this week I got mail from the Maine Department of Taxation (or some
such). A letter, advising me that since boat number 2 was purchased in NH
(how'd they know that?) - THEY WANT ME TO PAY A "USE" TAX TO MAINE
BECAUSE NO SALES TAX WAS EVER PAID ANYWHERE.

Now, I hope they have wings, because I have a suggestion for them which
includes a rolling doughnut.

I'm waiting to cool down before I write them a letter.

Art

    Ha ha, I once made the same statement to a guy in the Sports note,
    and to this day he refers to it as "some sort of gymnastic encounter
    with a piece of pastry".  :*)
    
    Lee

    The relevant sections of the NH registration act has been posted in
    note 534.*. I have sectioned it off by topic. Do a Dir 534.* to read
    reply titles. I'll post the fee schedule when I can.

    Gail

RE .90

I am a NH resident.  I also got such a letter from the Maine Bureau of Taxation 
based on a 1988 Maine "tax exempt" registration of a boat purchased in UT in
1986 and concurrently licensed in NH.  I called the Bureau to get an
explanation.  As far as I was able to determine, the "use tax" applies to all
Maine boat registrations unless you can show the Bureau proof of previous sales
tax, licensing, etc.  There may also be a loop-hole if you can show that you
used the boat only a few (<10?) days in Maine.  They admitted that NH residents
were caught in a catch-22 because of the non-reciprocity of the NH boat
registrations.  They also admitted that they didn't understand the Maine "tax
exempt" boat registration and said that they would look into it further.

Fortunately, I still had my bill of sale from UT that showed that sales tax was
paid when the boat was purchased there as a UT resident.

Russ

    Thanks Gail for taking the time to type in the registration
    information. I'm sure this will be helpful and informative to many...
    
    							-mike-

    How can we address correspondance to the Committee?  Do you know
    of an address.....

I was approached by a NH Marine Safety Officer (read: boat cop)
yesterday, *after* I had put my boat on the trailer and pulled up and off
the launch ramp. He had watched me approach the dock, tie up, get the
trailer, and winch the boat up. 

Anyway, he offered to give me a voluntary safety inspection. Sure, why
not. I passed the inspection, he gave me a sticker, and I asked him about
boating in other states now that we were "reciprocal." Surprise,
surprise. He said that boating officers in other states were handling it
in different ways, and that sometimes they were still charging NH boaters
a "use fee" and sometimes not. 

<sigh>

Why the hell can't this be resolved???

Art

    In the current issue of "The Laker", a NH summertime what, where
    and when rag covering the lakes region they have a article about
    the NH Marine Patrol and its new director.  In it he is quoted as
    saying that we (NH) have worked out reciprocity with the other states
    and that beginning in 1991 out of state registration will be honored.
    
    Till then I guess out of state boats still will need to register
    here.  I can't help but wonder what creative new fees or taxes we're
    going to see next year to make up the revenue lost when we stop
    extorting the non-resident boaters?
    
                                                      Tom

    I just purchased a used boat directly from the owner. Can anyone tell
    me where I can go to change the registration in NH? Is Concord the only
    place? Thanks,
    
    Chris

    > Is Concord the only place? Thanks
    
    Nope, Concord is the fallback. Boats are registered at any marine
    dealer / marina that want's the $ bad enough to put up with the hassles
    of working with the State. Look around or call some boat dealers 
    that are listed in the Yellow Pages. What part of the state do you
    live in?
    
    Bill
    

    I work in Salem and the boat is in Wolfeboro. Something near Salem
    would be best.
    
    Chris

    I did mine at the local hardware store, check around if they sell
    hunting or fishing licenses they most lickly can take care of your
    boat.
    
    				Peter
    

    Try Rockingham Boat Repair on 111 in Hampstead, it's ~ 6-7 miles west
    of the Salem plant. There's another place closer, Windham Marine, also
    off 111 on the Salem/Windham line. I've registered at both places in
    the past.
    
    ~jeff

    In the Salem area you can use Derry Marine, Windham Marine. B & H Oil
    (Dockside Marine), and I beleave Ganze (sp) Equipment.

    Or you can simply go to the state registry in Salem and register it.
    
    Ross