I called and left a message for Lisa Carpenter (Clearwater, not Tallahasee). Her boss, Stephanie Lillico, called me back and quoted the same thing. When I suggested that the law seemed to have changed she read the current statute, saw that her DMV book was outdated, and said she will ask Tallahasee for an updated policy based on the current statute and will call me back.

I don't mean to bring Johnny Law down on our heads. The Sheriff and FWC officers seem to know of the new requirement and have threatened to write tickets. Given that our boats are sitting ducks on the beach, maybe we ought to be ready to register rather than get several tickets. We could all just say we are John Doe and get a ticket in that name. Charmin.

The really difficult issue remains unresolved. To get registered you have to have a title. Getting a title on an older (not new) boat is MUCH harder to do. The court order route seems to be the only way and that process is REALLY ugly.

Here's a link to instructions for getting a title via court order.