I acquired two sailboats this year. I bought a Mutineer 15 and I rescued a sunfish from a backyard (currently drying out about 30 years of osmosis). When I went to the DMV, I was charged 12$ to register the Mutineer and 60$ (yes 60$) for the DMV to reprint the title. I had a title for the Mutineer with me. I was astonished, 60$ to hit print on the computer.
Now for the fish. Since it is a pre hull id # model I brought a notorized bill of sale (it was actually free, try to explain that to a dmv worker). The dmv gave informed me I have to go to the NJ State Marine Police. Closest to me is West Trenton. They gave me the address, (a PO box - worthless) and a phone number. I called and was told I have to trailer my sunfish to them and they will run the serial number and see if it's stolen. I was told to bring a notorized letter from the seller stating the transaction was legal and the boat is not stolen. I am currently in the process of retrofitting a trailer for the fish and registering it so I can make the journey to Trenton, which is never fun.
Here's my issue, and I could be mistaken. I have a sailfish. According to everything I read, I don't need to register the sailfish because technically it's a sailboard. I've haven't registered it ever and never had a problem at the local boat ramps. The sunfish needs annual registration because it has a cockpit and is greater than 12 feet. Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that we have to register sunfish? Does anyone know if there's any groups out there trying to get small dingy type boats greater than 12 feet to be exempt from registration.
I ask because I'm sure there are people that would be more willing to rescue some of these forgotten backyard Sunfish if they could sail them without going through all this hassle. Plus I know it's going to be 12$ to register plus 60$ to print a title. I know 72$ isn't that much, about a tank of gas, but it feels like NJ is pickpocketing you everywhere you turn.
Now for the fish. Since it is a pre hull id # model I brought a notorized bill of sale (it was actually free, try to explain that to a dmv worker). The dmv gave informed me I have to go to the NJ State Marine Police. Closest to me is West Trenton. They gave me the address, (a PO box - worthless) and a phone number. I called and was told I have to trailer my sunfish to them and they will run the serial number and see if it's stolen. I was told to bring a notorized letter from the seller stating the transaction was legal and the boat is not stolen. I am currently in the process of retrofitting a trailer for the fish and registering it so I can make the journey to Trenton, which is never fun.
Here's my issue, and I could be mistaken. I have a sailfish. According to everything I read, I don't need to register the sailfish because technically it's a sailboard. I've haven't registered it ever and never had a problem at the local boat ramps. The sunfish needs annual registration because it has a cockpit and is greater than 12 feet. Does anyone else think it's ridiculous that we have to register sunfish? Does anyone know if there's any groups out there trying to get small dingy type boats greater than 12 feet to be exempt from registration.
I ask because I'm sure there are people that would be more willing to rescue some of these forgotten backyard Sunfish if they could sail them without going through all this hassle. Plus I know it's going to be 12$ to register plus 60$ to print a title. I know 72$ isn't that much, about a tank of gas, but it feels like NJ is pickpocketing you everywhere you turn.