Dave, et al,

That statement is from the form that is used by the DMV to issue titles that have no supporting official documentation.

SUBJECT:
APPLICATION FOR CERTIFICATE OF TITLE ON A MOTOR VEHICLE WITH ALTERNATE PROOF OF OWNERSHIP AND PROCEDURE FOR SECURING A FLORIDA COURT ORDER AWARDING OWNERSHIP

Apparently there is no watercraft version...you use the motor vehicle form.

The concept still applies IMHO, that's all.

If it were me, I would simply use one of my blank MSO forms and be done with it

How do you register boats that have been rebuilt? The only part of my boat is that is original is one hull(the one without the ID number on it). New sails(most older boats have done this), replaced the 10' beams with 8.5' hence new tramp. Broke the mast so that has been replaced. One hull had problems and factory replaced that. I know many H16 sailors that have hulls with 2 different ID numbers. This is the case for many older catamarans. Even if I had titled it when I bought it the title would not match the boat.

But the worst part of this is having to put those UGLY stickers on some really nice looking boats.
And for you F18 sailors I'm sure there is some drag involved so you had better add this to the class rules.

Section 328.03 says an 18 foot non-powered boat MUST be titled.
Section 328.48 says an 18 foot non-powered boat MUST be registered.
Section 328.56 speaks only of DISPLAYING reg numbers.

If you are undocumented you are illegal by 03 and 48.
328.56 doesn't exempt you from being documented, only from displaying numbers that you don't have anyway!

Try using that arguement with an officer with a gun.

I asked Performance for an MSO for my Nacra. They said no, it was sent with the boat to the original dealer.

If you posted a blank one, I'd appreciate it! Leave the legality and ethics to the user.

Go with Timbo's suggestion. Confuse 'em with Fractions!

I think I'll go get a Corsair F-15'1024/64" sure, it looks about 31', but it's really 15' and a fraction...ossifer

Just tell the L.E.O. and the DMV that it's 5.5 meters...he/she will never be able to do the conversion to feet...problem solved...LOL

If you want it I have Yves E-mail. I e-mailed with him and he said if you knew the original sail numbers he would be able to come up with the serial#.
As far as the numbers go I think I would try to put them on the inside of the hulls. They could be air brushed on to avoid drag or put them on the boom and explain ( if hassled ) you put them there so they could be easily seen since the bow spends much time under water.

The statute mentioned above by Jennifer actually states that numbers are not required on boats without motors... that document seemed old, so i don't know if its still valid, but i am hopeful that is still valid...

http://law.onecle.com/florida/vessels/328.56.html

Mike,
You sailing Saturday. My plan is to come over early Sat morning. I'd come over Friday afternoon if I knew some other boats would be there.
Jeff

We'll be there fri,sat and sun so come on.

mike, hows the jib working for you?

We'll see tomorrow.

I tried to register my used 5.7 G Cat and get a title for it... the state turned me down. I had a bill of sale and hull numbers... same as an unpowered canoe.

Meaning they said you didn't need to register it?

This is basically what Jill told me she found out. When she explained the boat was a small cat she was told no need to register or title.

The incredible government goes on and on.

If you get the NEW 2009 statutes, the law has clearly changed and all of the old opinions are worth nothing. Just read the law and stop asking for opinions.

All vessels over 16 feet must be titled.
All vessels over 16 feet must be registered, with a short list of exceptions that does not include cats. Kayaks, canoes, and racing shells are exempt.

Recent events:

I called DMV and asked for a Tallahassee ruling. The head person at the Tampa office called me and said Tallahassee says we are exempt from registration. When I asked her to explain why she referred to her "DMV handbook" from 2008, clearly out of date.

On the Dunedin Causeway this week a priest with a 21 foot canoe was told by a Sheriff and then a FWC officer that he definitely MUST have reg numbers or he will be cited. This is absolutely incorrect and I will approach the beach Sheriff today and ask him to quote the statute the canoe is violating.
However, it does point out their intentions. These officers did not dream this up. They were TOLD to do this by their higher-ups.

I called Capt. Roger Young of FWC to tell him of his officers incorrectly hassling canoe people, of the DMV quoting incorrect laws leading people to "violate" new ones, and FWC & Sheriffs threatening tickets. I pleaded for him to offer us a way to get everyone on the same page and to offer us a way to title and register boats that have been undocumented for up to 30 years.

No response. Typical, eh?

I wonder what happened to that reporter in Jacksonville, who used to keep an eye on proposed legislation that was going to adversely affect sailboats. He used to warn us to get the word out so we could all write letters.

It's hard to believe the legislators did not intend to include non-motorized sailboats in the group with the canoes.

But if they operate like our federal Congress, they probably don't even know what the bill says.

Thanks for trying to clear it up Dave, and I feel your frustration, and remember you are always guilty until you can prove yourself innocent in court.

And even then, they will find something to fine you for.

Just ask JW about his $500 trailer ticket! Ouch!

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....