Mary, I was told by Fish and Wildlife that this change was written specifically to address the issue of unregistered sailboats. Apparently the waterways of Florida are littered with abandoned sailboats that need to be removed. Without a registration number the state cannot identify the owner to demand removal. The state does not want to continue to pay for the cleanup.

This seems fair but the unintended consequence is the new registration and titling of THOUSANDS of previously undocumented non-powered boats. I don't like to pay the tax but even worse is that there is no (reasonable) way of complying.

I'll keep calling around....