How to register a homemade boat?

[heliguy02]

I going to build a homemade boat from plans. I was wondering how you get it registered when it is done. Where do I need to go to get this done?
Thanks,
Tony

[kroberts]

That depends on where you are. Your profile says, "IN" but that could mean either India or Indiana, so far as I know. Probably a few hundred other places too.

If you're from Indiana rather than India, then I might be able to help a bit. I'm in Illinois, but I have a friend who was telling me about it. It was close but not quite the same.

Heck, I'll stop with the speculation. Both Illinois and Indiana have changed in recent years, so what you need to do is contact the Indiana DNR and ask them about the requirements. Even if someone has current information about that, you're best off to check.

In Illinois, they require that you pay taxes on that boat before you can register it, or at least concurrently with registration. So you need a bill of materials, and any receipts you may have. Whatever parts you do not have proof of having paid the state sales tax on, we need to pay the 7.5% state sales tax on it.

I had registered a hovercraft several years ago, and while they had the inspection they did not yet have the sales tax thing. I started my next hover and then by the time it came time to register it, they slapped me with the taxes and I had almost no receipts. I wound up paying taxes twice on more than half my materials.

Moreover, there is a huge number of boat thefts in Illinois. What they do is steal the boat, remove the serial numbers and then register it as a homemade boat. The Illinois DNR is all over that practice. I understand that if you claim homemade boat, it's almost guaranteed that you will get a "safety inspection" which is really having a DNR guy come over to make sure it's not a Bayliner with no serial number.

Given that our states are neighbors (if you're actually from Indiana) then I suspect much of this transfers over to your state.

[heliguy02]

I am in Indiana. I will check with the DNR.
Thanks for the reply.

Just get on the New Hampshire web site and register it.

No tax, no Title, No Liberal ********.



http://www.nh.gov/safety/divisions/dmv/registration/


Buy a hunting/Fishing Licence while your there.

http://www.wildnh.com/

[PAR]

Most states require the boat to be registered in it's operating waters.

Home made boats typically require a title before it can be registered. Titles are usually handled by the state DMV or Highway Safety department.

Contact the local DMV or use a title company.

[Ike]

Geez. This is so simple it makes me cring to read threads like this.

The USCG regs alllow for home built boats. Each state is assigned a manufacturer's Identification code so that the state can assign a Hull Identification Number to the boat. All you have to do is go to the registration office and tell them you built the boat. They will have you fill out and sign a form that attests that you actually built it. They will register the boat, assign an HIN and if it is a Title state, issue a title.

Here is a link to a web page for all boating related offices in Indiana http://www.nasbla.org/i4a/member_dir...directory_id=3

Here's the Indiana web page that tells you in one sentence what I just said.
http://www.boat-ed.com/in/handbook/boatnumbers.htm

PS: I don't go to Indiana anymore. Every time I go there I get a ticket. It is the only state I have ever been ticketed in, in almost 50 years of driving.

[Landlubber]

Ike,

If you are on a bike, tell em you have to go fast or the bike falls over......

[Jango]

In my State,WV, I had to take "most" of my material receips, along with two pictures of the Boat to my DMV.
1. Paid sales tax on materials {5%}
2. Paid Title Fee {$5.00}
3. Paid Registration Fee (fixed cost,based on when during 3 year term)- $15-$30
I later received in mail:
a} Title
b} Registration card with Hinn no.+ sticker placed inside Boat as well as "burned" into wood some where inside the boat
c} Hull no,s to be placed on sides of boat near bow

Sounds rather involved but was fairly easy and painless (depending on materials was less than $100)

[heliguy02]

OK, Thanks everyone for the help. I didn't know it would be so easy. This is my first boat build.
I have been building a couple aircrafts for the last 10 years so I am use to dealing with the FAA. They regualtions are so strick the practically tell you what color you have to paint it.
Thanks again,
Tony

[Ike]

OH yeah, I forgot, it has to be red. LOL

[heliguy02]

Well, It good thing red is my favorite color.
Thanks