CF numbers in TEXAS (Also Taxes)

I have my boat registration numbers painted in the hull. Do I have to get TX numbers on the side? Can I keep my California ones. I don't want have to put stickers on my boat.

Also do I have pay sales tax to Texas. I had the boat registered in California for a couple of years.

I'd keep it registered in Ca.

If anyone asks (i.e. Water cops) tell them you are visiting.

From Texas Site http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/fishboat/boat/owner/titles_and_registration/


Placement of Decal on Documented Vessels:

* Validation Decal to be placed on both sides of the bow.
* Display of Registration (TX) Number not required if current USCG Documentation remains in effect.
* Certificate of Number ID Card must be carried on board the vessel while in use.

Registration Fees:

* Less than 16 feet in length — $30.00
* 16 feet but less than 26 feet in length — $50.00
* 26 feet but less than 40 feet in length — $70.00
* 40 feet or more in length — $90.00
* Livery Boat less than 16 feet in length — $30.00

(Message edited by rson on March 27, 2007)

They can't make you pay sales tax for registration of something you already own. They can enforce registration of the vehicle in TX if the boat is used in TX. I live in south east TN near Georgia and Alabama. Numerous GA and AL residents keep boats in TN. The law says if the boat is used and moored more than 30 days in TN / year it must have a TN registration even if owner is in GA.

From what I understand TX does not charge a luxury tax, like CA does. It varies by county here in CA.

The numbers will come off if soaked with thinner, and then a buffer can finish the job. There are body guys on here that could better explain the process and exactly what to use.

Sounds like you need to ask yourself where you see yourself in two years. Do you also have a semi-permanent address to use in CA.

Here's my experience in taking painted numbers off:

http://meguiarsonline.com/forums/showthread.php?t=19353

Are you relocating to Texas or just visiting? If you are relocating, then yes you will have to register your boat. Law enforcement on the lakes and rivers are generally pretty good guys, but they don't like telling you twice and they will.

I had a nice visit from the local lake patrol shortly after I moved to Texas. They welcomed me and told me to get TX tags, or risk a ticket. The registration is much lower here than the old rates in California. There is also no property tax on the boat.

The downside is the boat trailer registration. You need to get a certificate of actual weight of the trailer without the boat on it. This needs to come from a certified scale in Texas. This is a strange law, and I still haven't registered the trailer in Texas.

Also - 2 different agencies are in charge of boat and trailer registration. You no longer have a one stop DMV. Texas parks and wildlife for the boat and Tdot for the trailer.

I'm officially a Texan (LOL), I wasnt born here but got here as fast as I could. Or something like that.

I plan on living here for a long time.

The paint removal seems to be a pain. Plus it the numbers were probably painted on 20 years ago. I might still try it.

Thanks everyone, I called the TPWD and it looks like it will only cost me aboout $90 to register.

"Certificate of Number ID Card must be carried on board the vessel while in use"

Someone want to explain to me what this is? Are they meaning your title? They're nuts if they think I'm gonna have my title on me while at the lake. I had a TX game warden stop me for a random safety check when I crossed into the TX side of Texoma, and he demanded it. He started yelling at me b/c I didn't have it. I was like... I don't even know what it is you want.

They proceeded to confinscate all our beer as well, b/c we had one person who was under 21. Out of 10 people on the boat, one was 6 months shy of 21, wasn't drinking, and he grabbed every ice chest b/c of it. Not much I could do but b*tch and moan.

They give you a blue laminated card to carry in the boat. It ties you to your vessel.

So I guess that's what he kept talking about when he was yelling, "where's your blue card".

He couldn't get it through his head that we don't have that those in OK. Considering that lake is shared by two states, you would think he would know that. O well... what can do you do, but make sure your good w/ everything else.

Can you get a PTI (Permant Trailer Registration) Trailer Licence plate like in California. If so, do you guys know how much it cost?