Can I sail home before registering my boat?

[OrangeCrush]

I'm buying a boat in Maryland and I'm going to be sailing it home to NY. It is federally documented. Is it legal for me to sail the boat home before completing the state registration and paying the use tax? And will I be able to initiate my insurance policy (BoatUS) before I do so? Thanks in advance.

If I can do this it would save me a couple of very valuable days since my time off of work is limited.




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[SV DestinyAscen]

Google first hit - pages 1-16.

http://nysparks.com/recreation/boating/documents/NYSBoatersGuide.pdf

[OrangeCrush]

I guess I'm answering my own question here, but it seems that NY has a 90 day registration grace period for vessels registered out of state, and I found out from BoatUS that I don't need to register it before I can insure it. I'm not sure if the existing Maryland registration would still be valid after I took ownership but that seems like a non-issue if I'm sailing directly out of Maryland.


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[savoir]

Ask the broker. That's part of their job.

[Dave22q]

The boat is registered. If stopped all you need do is show proof of permission or ownership. Every state allows a grace period for new registrations. It is very different from auto license plates where the seller has an incentive to remove and turn in for a credit. If Md is a title state like Florida you need to make sure the title transfer is properly executed.

[akprb]

Hate to step in here with this but.......no one questions the need to ask this question.

I've seen folks paralyzed to move until their dinghy and outboard were registered.

It gets funnier when sailing from country to country and trying to time weather with customs office hours. I've generally chosen weather and begged forgiveness. So far so good :-) (not recommended for the faint of heart)

Get a "running letter", you'll be fine :-)

[savoir]

Maryland allows 30 days to either leave or pay the tax.

[knockabout]

sail it any where you like once paid for its yours /an insurer may provide a cover note same as a delivery /probably not wise now that you have broadcast your intentions

[ebsail]

You can insure now
Carry a copy of the bill of sale with you
NYS has a deal with MD, and NY will contact you to get the balance of the sales tax within 90 days if you don't re register in NY

Just insure, move the boat and register when you get it home

I did this exact process when I bought my boat in MD and registered in NY. MD sends a notice to NYS when a boat is sold in MD and the owners address is in NY

[Hud3]

I bought my boat in Maryland and then sailed it to Virginia, where I documented it with the USCG.

I recall filling out some Maryland paperwork stating that I would be taking it out of state before the deadline for Maryland registration and sales tax. Maryland may come after you if you don't do this. The broker who handled the sale gave me the form to file.

[Captain Bob]

Savior is correct. MD only allows 30 days before the tax man comes knocking. You also have to submit a form that states that you are moving the boat out of MD and into NY. If you used a broker, than he or she should have had you sign that form at closing. If you purchased it privately than the form is available at any MD DNR office.

[Schooner Chandlery]

If it is documented in your name you are good to move the boat. Your own state or the state you purchased the boat in -- or both -- may require sales tax to be paid and that's a different matter than moving the boat.


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[54hollywood]

How did we do anything before we had government to answer to. I thought the government was our servant not our master. Sail the thing home and then tell them you are there. If they stop you tell them no one told you not to and it seamed right to you and no one was harmed.