Conference vicki::boats

    As one who has only "heard" the news of this TAX (that's what I
    think it is)(and I say "heard" because I have recieved no official
    information about it other than word of mouth) I'd like to know
    where you got the flyer. How are we supposed to know where to send
    the fee (ransom)?
    
                          Taxed to the waterline....Dana

I heard about it when I went to register my boat a couple weeks ago.

I then called the nearest Coast Guard Facility, who gave me the 800 number.
I called them and received the brochure/application a few days later in the
mail.  If you call the 800 number they'll be glad to take your MasterCard or
Visa number and send you out the tags right away (just like the Ronco Ginzu
Pocket Fisherman's Guide to Better Health, Not sold in stores!!!).

Al

FYI
	The last paragraph on the brochure indicated that "renewal notices"
will NOT be sent out. The brochure stated it was the boat owner's
responsibility to contact the Coast Guard each year. 

	It appears to me to be a situation where they think they'll net more 
revenue from the $5K fines, than from the $25 stickers.

	I belive this is supposed to be an attempt to tax the "rich" people who
can afford these toys.  Nice concept, except people who live in areas where
there is no Coast Guard (but still have the bucks to buy the boats) don't have
to share in this tax burden pay.

Al

    I was out in this weekend trolling for blues in the mouth or the
    merrimack.  The coast guard was cruising around and more than once I
    thought I was going to be boarded.  I have paid the tax and have the
    stickers in my cabin (Don't want to have to scrape them off in a couple
    of weeks).
    
    I didn't see anyone get boarded; but it certianly look like them were
    getting ready.  Maybe just taking a survey so they could order enough
    tickets!.  They seemed to be looking at all the boats out there.
    
    It may have been just my imagination.  When you know your in the wrong
    you think everyone is looking at you.
    
    Gordon
    

    I paid my TAX on Friday.  The very polite woman on the other end of the
    line informed me that the fine for not "ante-ing up" has been reduced
    from the draconian $5000.00 to a merely incidentally draconian $1000.
    
    Don't you all feel better now ?

    
    	It sounds more like a scam than a tax......
    
    	You call a 800 number give them your credit card, and you will get
    	something in the mail....
    
    	Why can't this be taken care of 1. at the local tax office, they are in
    the business of taking you money. 2. Go to the local Coast Guard office
    
    	Maybe congress is getting a rebate for generating business for
    	Visa and Mastercard.
    
    	Yesterday (9/30) I heard on WBZ Radio about the tax and that
    enforcement will start in October, and that there is several groups
    trying to get this tax repel. 
    
    	Over the weekend I check a Maine State saltwater launch, they have
    	posted everything else, but no mention of the TAX for saltwater
    	use. As mentioned earlier, it would be a court case for the 
    	government to collect the fine. They the government have done 
    	such a poor job in distributing the information. I believe
    	it would be up to the government to prove that the information
    	was well distributed. for an example...posting at all saltwater
    	lanches. But of course THEY are always right......
    
    	Mike

    If I were a senator, I wonder if I would be let off with a "warning"? 
    This tax made me decide to forgo purchasing a larger boat.  So much for
    the gummint helping the economy.
    

The official word is that the tax for 1991 was due Sept 1, but that they'd 
give out warnings only through Sept, and begin enforcement in earnest in 
October.  The tax must be paid each year, owner responsibility to remember 
and pay.

The fine reads "up to $5000", but chances are (opinion, not fact:) they'll
hit first-year first-time offenders with a "reminder-size" fine, perhaps a
hundred or two.  Still, even if it's only the amount of the tax, the 
likely hassle in paying it off after the fact -- surely they'll make 
people show up somewhere in person to do it -- probably isn't worth the 
aggravation.

It's an absurd tax, since the Congressional Record explicitly states that 
all these tax revenues will go into a general fund and do not incur any 
obligation on the gov't's part to provide services in return.  Fight it 
because it's unfair (the rational argument), but in the meantime, what's
it really cost (the pragmatic side)?  A weekend's worth of gas maybe?  

J.

    Exactly... fight it because its one more way the Gov. has found to get
    its' hands on our money... and therefore IMO unfair!
    
    
    Jeff

    I read in the Boston Globe yesterday that the senate (or somebody)
    voted in favor of repealing the tax.   The only catch was that 
    it will not go into affect (or is that out of) until Oct 92.
    
    So it looks like they want a gauranteed years income out of us..
    
    Maybe this whole thing was a scam so insurance companies would know
    if you used your boat in fresh water only or not.  Now they can
    find that sticker on your boat and fight you with coverage...
    

    
    re : .10
    
    the sticker doesn't id a boat as have been in saltwater ...
    the CG interpetation of the enforcement requirement sez if they patrol
    they have a presence = you pay.
    
    	Lake Champlain is fresh water ... has a CG station in Burlington	
    	and gladly will call you commercial assistance if you have a problem.
    
    	Actually in the event of storms or sinking etc they are out there, 
    	same for local and State Police.  Just over the last few years
    	I've been getting bitter about the lack of delivery to what 
    	I've also expected and respected of the Coast Guard.  That's
    	a pity if you ask me.
    
    not suprised if we see a repeal coming (hope hope) not suprised if it 
    starts '92 so they do not have the cost of refunds.  If this is
    official ... wonder if the CG will enforce for the rest of '91.
    
    

    I understand that it is not for coastal waters only.  Just trying
    to add a little sick humor.   Then again if I lived on Cape Cod
    and had motor damage and the inspector came out and I said " But
    you don't understand I have never run it in the Bay, I only trailer
    it to lake champlaign, Honest".   (+:}
    
    When are the stickers good until??  I would assume until Jan 1??
    It looks like they want one more year out of it.  I read the article
    real fast.  Did anyone else see this and can they mention the content??
    

    
    I have been out several times on the cape since Oct 1.  The fee seems
    to be largely ignored.  Most boats, including fleet boats, show no
    signs of having paid the tax.
    
    I have not heard of anyone being ticketed.  Does anyone have direct
    experience with someone getting ticketed?
    
    Maybe the Coast Guard has decided they have better things to do than
    collect an unconstitutional tax from overburdoned boaters when they are
    getting sued for it (by Boat/US) and when Congress has already
    overwhelmingly passed a repeal.  Maybe they are doing what they do
    best - saving lives every day.

Re. .13 and mentions of Lake Champlain:

Nov `91 issue of Offshore reports:

"Two boatowners on Vermont's Lake Champlain had been handed citations for not
having the federal user fee decal by mid-September, but Coast Guardsmen at 
Burlington Station think a lot of boaters know about it."

The bit goes on to report that because of the season they didn't expect to be
giving out a lot more up there and that they were trying to spread the word
via notices on VHF channels, and hoping for word of mouth news travel. 

    
    i'm sure a lot of people said "the hell with them"
    
    if they wern't going to issue a citation with a fine, and all
    the indications were that warnings were only going to be issued.
    
    i did get them for last year, figuring they may issue fines,
    
    and i have a renewal card that i'm gonna hold onto, they may
    repeal it. 
    
    You can always get them, try and get a refund...............
    
    
    JIm

re                        <<< Note 911.16 by GOLF::WILSON >>>
>                -< Not generating as much $$$ as they thought? >-

> Where did all the stickers go?


	Pssst !   Hey Bud, wanna buyya stikka cheep ?  

It strikes me that if they had only printed 600,000 of them and 4,100,000
people ordered them then the Coasties still have egg on their face.  I may
be wrong here, but I suspect that the politicians came up with the plan and
ordered the USCG to implement same. It's a case of "damned if you do and damned
if you don't"  you just can't win no matter what...


Al

    I talked with some Coast Guard guys at the Seattle Boat Show. They said
    that even if it is repealed, it will be effective sometime after 1992
    or 1993, so if you are waiting for the appeal, it won't help this year
    and maybe next. I finally broke down and got one.
    

    This fee has been discontinued for all vessels less than 37' long.