For you Californian's buying out of State

Jlomb436 · 23 May 2016, 23:36

Does the CA DMV accept the boat to be registered? I know that you cannot purchase certain vehicles out of State and register them here in CA. We're really insane like that.

Anyway, my fear is buying a boat, new, out of state and they see the Certificate and don't allow an out of State purchase to be registered. I'm assuming the dealer doesn't register it, they just give you some sort of Cert to take to the DMV?

Thank you!

tworotorturbo · 24 May 2016, 05:35

For any new boat, you will be just fine with a cert of origin and the BOAT 101 form from the dmv.

ncp · 25 May 2016, 04:03

Not as strict as cars. I've walked in with an out of state bill of sale (but it did take a while and confuse the $h!t out of the clerk).

Used, no restrictions on the engine (though local restrictions may apply like 3 star compliant on certain lakes )

New hull, I heard you need to have an engine on it. Can't register a bare hull anymore that's new.

They will want sales tax on the full amount unless you paid it elsewhere. Only hull is supposed to be taxed (in other words get a separate bill of sale for the engine if it's an outboard ).

Jlomb436 · 25 May 2016, 04:32

Thanks anyone. I was hoping sales tax wouldn't come into play but it seems like that's the case. Appreciate the info!

Ribdude · 25 May 2016, 19:35

depending on the size you can register it as a documented vessel $150 per year and then for california you select title only when you go to the DMV which is $38

jyasaki · 28 May 2016, 02:04

Won't be a problem. I imported my RIB from Canada. Tax was an issue, but the builder wrote up just the hull on the bill of sale, and everything else as "accessories", which saved me a ton of money.

If you get a trailer, make sure that it has a manufacturers plate. That was actually stickier than getting the boat registered.

jky