Conference wahoo::fishing

<       A real quick question. Where do I go to register a boat?
<    Also, do I have to register it if I am only using an electric motor?
<    I am in Worcester county, Mass. Thanx.

	I'll answer the last question first.  Yes, any boat that is powered
by any mechanical means must be registered in Mass.  The fee is $20 for 2 years.

The MARINE RECREATIONAL VEHICAL DIVISION location in Worcester is on Grove
St. in the same building with Juvenile Hall, between the Armory and Tweeds. 
The only other place in the state, I believe is in Boston.  I don't know if you
can register by mail, but you might give them a call in Worcester 753-0603.

I was surprised to find that the Rec. Vehicle registry has nothing to do with
the motor vehicle registry.  They are two distinct departments, whose rules
are diametrically opposed (e.g. when you register your car, you must pay the
sales tax in cash, however the boat registry will not accept cash and you must
pay by check).  This is Massachusetts, what more need be said...

					Al

    I don't know if this will help much, but just an idea:
    
     I don't live in Mass. but in N.H. most fishing/hunting stores that
    sell fishing/hunting licenses will also register your boat.
    
     Like I said though, I don't know if same is true in Mass. might
    be worth a few phone calls though?
    
                               Perry F.
                              ----------

    Re: a coupla ago about diffs between the Mass. CAR registry and the
    Mass BOAT registry...
    
    That ain't the ONLY difference!!!  The RV folks are a helluva lot
    NICER to deal with!!  I went into Nashua St. in Boston to get my
    boat registered.  Everything went fine until I came to a blank that
    wanted the motor serial number.  This was a problem since the motor
    was still on order and I didn't know the number.  The guy just smiled
    and said "Forget it, leave it blank for now."  But write it down
    in case it ever gets stolen.  Also on the title, the dealer never
    filled it out.  The title had blanks for all kinds of signatures,
    numbers, official this and that.  Again, he turned his back and
    -I- filled it out, except for the signatures.  He accepted it and
    told me to get the dealer to sign it when I got the chance.
    
    Now try any of THAT at the Registry of MOTOR VEHICLES where most
    clerks are extras from the "FRANKENSTEIN" series of movies.
    REEEEEEEEAAAAALLL  PLEASANT!!!  You outa staters, you'd have live
    here to believe it.
    
    --Chris                         

    
    
    	Here is an interesting little story about the REGISTRY , this
    	actually happened.
    	
    	My wifes boss (the man is a millionaire) went out and bought
    	a $100,000 motor home (my house didn't cost that!) and went
    	to the registry to get it regestered. He had already calculated
    	the sales tax and had the check (bank check) already made out
    	signed (in perfect order right?) etc. So he had a bank check
    	for $5,000 bucks!!! Now what do you suppose the lady (?) said
    	when he presented the paperwork/check. Well the conversation
    	went something like this.
    	lady> Our book (blue book?) doen't have your vehicle listed,
    	how do I know you didn't pay more for this than the BOS states? 
    	Phil> Lady , what are you, out of your mind? I maybe crazy for
    	paying a hundred grand for a motor home but IM' NOT INSANE!
    	lady> Please wait until I contact my supervisor about this!
    	Phil> (now totally flipped out) Im not waiting for anything,
    	my papers are in order, please (explative, explative) get this
    	(explative)completed.
    	
    	Well the supervisor comes in and after a few moments more of
    	argument, accepts the check (for $5,000 bucks) and processes
    	the registration. Phil now sends the insurance man for his plates!!
    	This same type of thing has happened to me , mostly for the
    	$200.00 jucks I have registered , where they look it up and
    	make me pay sales tax on $600.00 etc.
    	All I can say is - the people working at the registry in worc.
    	are the BIGGEST!! I think maybe you know what I mean!
    
    					Steve 

    Re: -1
    
    Ha ha ha!  That's a good one!  Now I'll tell one.  This happened
    to me:
    
    I went to the Framingham registry to register my camping trailer
    for the year.  I wait, and wait and WAIT in line.  My turn.  Hand
    the clerk the paper work.  She scowls and says "Where's your RV
    survey form".  (This is something new this year.  The RMV has got
    a new computer and the form asks things about length, weight, type,
    etc.  Since I hadn't even opened the envelope until I walked in
    the door of the registry it's the first I'd heard of it.)
    
    On with the story.  I say "Wha' form??"  Clerk (rude as usual):
    "The new computer form for campers and things" and she hands me
    one and says "Fill this out" and "NEXT!!!"
    
    Me:  "Ha ha, what a minute, I ain't getting at the end of THIS line
    again" and I start filling out the form (a 60 second task tops).
    She's boiling.  I finish and hand her the form and she starts stamping,
    stapling, etc. etc.  Meanwhile, I'm getting out my -check book-...
    thought I'd have a little fun.  Now to all you outa stayters, our
    registry doesn't take ANYTHING but bank checks made out to
    REGISTRY OF MOTOR VEHICLES, preferably verified
    by Ronnie Reagan himself.  Without looking up she sneers "That's six 
    dollars" With my pen poised I say in an innocent voice:  "Fine, who do I
    make this out to??  Town of FRAMINGHAM???""   Well, she gawdan near
    had a stroke!!!!!  "SIR!!  WE DON'T TAKE PERSONAL CHECKS!!!"
    
    Well, I'm not done with her yet.  I say:  "Well, er umm ahh do you
    take cash???"  Her:  "YES!"  (Now mind you, shes got everything
    stamped and validated and is facing a paperwork nightmare if I suddenly
    back out of the deal and go home)  Me: (taking out wallet) "Well
    geez, I hope I got the six bucks on me!"    And I count out six ones,
    get the receipt and plate, and walk away.  
    
    Citizen's revenge.
                                          

    I would have liked to have been a fly on the wall had you pulled
    out an old smelly sock with 600 pennies!  Now THAT'S REVENGE!!
                                                       
    

    Okay, here's mine.
    I bought a new car 2 years ago. I go to the Credit Union and get
    a bank check for the sales tax. The teller screws up and makes it
    for $.10 more than it should be. Of course I didn't notice this,
    so off I go to the registry.
       The lady says, Your check is a dime too much.
    So, of course I say, can't you give me the change. She says probably
    but the check has to be for the EXACT amount.
       They wouldn't even do it if I let them keep the dime. So needless
    to say back I went to the CU.
    
       Another registration question. Do I have to bring a bill of sale
    or pay sales tax if I've had the boat for a while but never with
    a motor?
                                                       Denny

    In Mass. Your registering the boat, not the motor.  It's none of
    their business if you put an electric or a 200hp.  What does count
    is how you pay your sales tax.  When you a total pkg
    (boat/motor/trailer) in Mass, you can't win. You'll end up paying
    ffull sales tax to either the dealer or the registry. If you by
    a pkg out of state, get the motor on a seperate bill of sale. That'll
    at least save you paying sales tax on the motor.
    
    If, when you register your power boat and they ask you about the
    motor, just tell them you have one from another boat. It's more
    polite than telling them it's none of their business. My guess is
    that you won't have any trouble with the registry in doing a boat.
    The boating and RV folks are a different breed. Over the years
    I find them very plesant and helpfull.
    
    Frank