Boat Registration.Opinions needed.

[tom kane]

Not required in New Zealand..yet..Local government is asking.Would you support private boat Registration.

[Willallison]

Here in Tassie, powerboats with more than 4hp or capable of more than 10 knots (I think) have been required to hold registration for many years. I've never regarded it as a problem. In fact a couple of years back, the cost was increased from something like $15 to $50 - but all the funds generated have gone back into improving boating facilities.
Also on the up-side, it means that if some ***** does something illegal, like running through a marina at 15 knots, than you at least have something to identify them by (The big letters on the side saying "POLICE" can also be a giveaway... !).
My only gripe with registration here is that sailboats are not required to have it - but then I guess they don't use any of the facilities do they......

[tom kane]

Thanks Will just what I need.tom kane.

[BrettM]

Will,

Sailboats with more than 4 hp....do. Those without are generally of the off the beach type...

[duluthboats]

Where I live in Minnesota, USA, they have a license for almost everything. They all start as a public safety issue. How could anyone be against public safety? Right now I have 5 boats only one has a motor on it. The rest are canoes or kayaks. I can use only one at a time, but I have separate licenses for each one. Some of my boats only see the water a few hours a year. What I would like is a license to be on the water no mater what boat I’m in. Whenever this is purposed you quickly see that it is not a public safety issue but a revenue issue.

Gary

[Willallison]

Brett, a quick call thru to Marine & Safety Tasmania proves that you are correct - things must have changed when they brought in the new pricing etc......this leads me to believe that there are a LOT of unregistered boats running around down here.....

[BrettM]

Will,
Now you have one less thing to yell at sailors about...

[Willallison]

On the contrary - now instead of "get-a-motor!!" I can scream "Where's-ya-rego-freeloader!!"

Gary - youch! Having to register a kayak seems more than just a little unreasonable......

[BrettM]

Either way, we probably wont be listening...

Freeloader? None I the boats I reguarly use require registration. I still pay more in fees to use ramps etc than most of the locals in their runabouts ever will since I have yacht club memberships etc. The best bit is the distinct lack of jet skis at the waters edge

[Willallison]

Now that I most certainly do agree with!