user5505

Hello all,

New to the web site, although I have been logging in as a guest for approx. 8 mos. I was talking to guy who was selling a Grady White 257,He said that I wouldn't have to pay state sales tax because the boat is Goast Guard Documented. He said I would have to pay the Coast Guard a fee for the documentation and name change but would not have to pay sales tax. In a way this makes sense because Florida would make you pay a sales tax when you register the boat in your name. If I purchaseda coast Guard Documented Vessel I wouldn't be registering the vessel in Florida would I? I understand that for a vessel to be documented it must displace more than 4000lbs?

I am wary of this information. I get the feeling that someone is going to get that sales tax money somehow!!! :banghead

Thanks for any information you all may pass.

R,

Scott

Xanadu

I think you ought to be careful with this guy. He's either lying or dead wrong.



"A vessel must measure at least five net tons and, with the exception of certain oil spill response vessels, must be wholly owned by a citizen of the US. "



http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/doc0101.htm#01

speckula

A boat must be at least 5 net tons. A net ton is a measure of volume, not dry weight. There is an equation that you can get off of the Coast Guards website. However, a general rule of thumb is that most all boats under 27' are less than 5 net tons. Assuming a 257 grady does not meet the minimum,you couldn't register it with the coast guard.

As for saving on sales tax, I know that in the past when you purchased a used boat from an individual and registered it with the coast guard, you did not have to pay sales tax.I wouldn't doubtthat they have somehow closed the loophole.I may be wrong but I think they get you when you insure the boat. If you purchase the boat fromFlorida retailer, they are required to pay sales tax on all their sales.

Allison

A gross registered ton (GRT) is a measure of volume not dry (net) weight. The formula for estimating GRT is length x beam x draft x .67/100 for motor vessels, and x.50/100 for sailing vessels.

Allison

TONER

I have a Sea Ray Length 30' Beam 9'2" Draft 3'6" would that be large enough? Thanks

Allison

Your Sea Ray is almost 7 GRT. Idon't know the specific requirements for USCG documentation for a boat, butcheck the USCG PSIX database online--Google "PSIX." Lots of information there.

Allison

speckula

Your Sea Ray should be well over 5-net tons. I've documented smaller vessels. To be sure, got to this link:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/msc/docs/CG-5397.pdf

This is a better webpage:

http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/...15d09b79c2012e

Looks like a 257 grady may be able to be documented after all. I always used the 27' foot rule of thumb, but the coast guard uses 25'.

user5505

Thanks, couldn't get the second website to come up. :banghead "Unauthorized Access" Was it a list of Boats that can be documented?

speckula

Go to the first link, then click on the "tonnage measurement" link. Search on "tonnage measurement", then click on the "simplified measuremt" .pdf file.That form will explain everything.

I do not believe there is a list of boats. In order to make sure you have accurate measurments on your boat, call the manufactor and then plug them into the formula. If the boat is an outboard the formula is simply - length x breadth x depth/100.

off route II

you can't dodge sales tax by documenting with the coast guard because you also have to register with whatever state you are in and they will ask for a bill of sale and when they see no sales tax has been collected you will pay them before you get your state registration, end of story.