Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature currently requires accessing the site using the built-in Safari browser.
nope, and dont do it. you do a dis-service to other laser sailors if you register your laser because it makes cops think that theyre required to be registered.
Also the same is shown here.Non-motorized Sailboats = $9 (Original fee and 3-year renewal)
And, in the section referenced for exceptions (section 80123):[FONT=arial, helvetica, sans-serif][SIZE=-1][SIZE=+1]Registration Fee[/SIZE] [/SIZE][/FONT]
[SIZE=-1] Nonpowered vessels, other than nonmotorized canoes or kayaks, except as provided in section 80123
[/SIZE]
[SIZE=-1]$ 9.00[/SIZE]
But, I don't think a small sailboat qualifies for the exception list, and the other links are pretty clear when they say "non-motorized sailboat."NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION ACT (EXCERPT)
Act 451 of 1994
324.80123 Exemption.
Sec. 80123.
(1) The owner of a vessel is not required to pay a fee and a vessel is not required to be numbered and to display a decal under this part if the vessel is 1 or more of the following:
(a) Used temporarily on the waters of this state and the owner and the vessel are from a country other than the United States.
(b) A vessel that is owned by the United States, used in the public service for purposes other than recreation, and clearly identifiable as such a vessel.
(c) A vessel's lifeboat.
(d) An all-terrain vehicle not used as a vessel.
(e) A raft, sailboard, surfboard, or swim float.
(f) A vessel 16 feet or less, propelled by hand either with oars or paddles, and not used for rental or other commercial purposes.
(g) A nonmotorized canoe or kayak not used for rental or other commercial purposes.
(2) The owner of a vessel documented by the United States coast guard or a federal agency that is the successor to the United States coast guard shall comply with this part, including the payment of fees as provided in this part. However, the vessel shall not be required to display numbers under this part.
(3) This part does not prohibit the numbering of an undocumented vessel pursuant to this part upon request by the owner, even though the vessel is exempt from the numbering requirements of this part.
Odd, I live in Indiana but sail in Michigan... I'm not sure what the rules are, but the Indiana BMV told me I didnt have to register the boat or get a title...
In all honesty tho, the opinion of an Indiana BMV clerk as to the registration requirements for non-motorized watercraft is likely not definitive.
Well, I can give a rather complete (if wordy) answer to this question...
I have a Laser, and sail on a lake near Pontiac, MI. There's actually a group of us, and none of the three Laser's sailing on a particular Sunday were registered when the cops pulled each of us over in the middle of a race and gave us all tickets for not being registered.
Were gven the choice of paying a fine (I don't recall the exact fee, but it was something like $150, plus the purchase tax, plus getting registered). One of us paid the fine straight off, one us waited a few weeks to see if it wold be forgetten (and then paid up), and I went to court...
Like the OP, I saw non-clear answers on the SoS website. There was one part that said that unpowered boats under 15" did not to be registered and another part that said they if they are for rent. I printed out the page from the SoS website and went along to the SoS store for clarification...
"This page from the SoS website say I do not need to be registered, could you confirm". There was much scratching of heads, and a bunch of the desk people at the SoS poured over some books in the back. Eventually they came back and told me "what you have is not a boat..... It is a sailboat." I asked for clarification since to the layman it certainly looked like a boat - it has a pointy end, and blunt end, and floats around the lake in "a very boat like fashion". They got quite grumpy with me, and said goodbye.
Before going to the SoS I had a lawyer friend pull the actual page from the MI lawbooks, and according to the letter of law, sailboats regardless of size (including Opti's) need to be registered. So I got registered, but I was NOT going to pay the fine.
So court day arrived. My director at the office was enjoying all this, so I didn't have to take the day off. The officer who booked me was there, came up to me and basically told me how to pay. I told him I was not going to, showed him my evidence, and said I could wait. The court reception emptied eventually, leaving me, a couple of others and the officer who booked me. He came up and said he really needed to be elsewhere, and would I accept a reduced fine of $50 "to leave". I told him no, I was looking forward to seeing the judge. He said that could take I while, and I told him (smiling) I was quite happy with that. Another 30mins passed, and he came back and offered to drop the fine completely if I would just go away. I graciously accepted
And that's that. According to the law - Laser's (and Sunfish, and Opti's) in Michigan NEED to be registered.