TOPIC: Florida Antique Vessel Registration

Just found out about this, the state does not advertize
www.pearson35.com/otherthoughts/antique_ves.htm

Nice- A great way to avoid having to pay registration fees every year!! The only caveat I see is the 'original powerplant', not an issue for everyone, but it would preclude you from putting more modern power on there.

A lot of states do this for cars- But put additional operational restrictions on the vehicle (like it can only be used on weekends or to/from service, etc), but I've never heard of it for boats!

-Andrew

a member at CGOA registered his 1973 V153 with a much newer Johnson under the antique registration program in Florida no problems

I don't believe it requires the original power,engine. The key word is "type" of power plant.

Oceans2 wrote:

I don't believe it requires the original power,engine. The key word is "type" of power plant.

Yes, but it further defines it as "engine of same year and type that the vessel had originally"

Though they probably aren't too strict about that, who knows.

I am not surprised that it's not common knowledge, though- Florida relies on fees/taxes to pay for a lot of things... I'm sure the DNR wouldn't like to loose a bunch of registration income to "historic" vessels

-Andrew

I believe our member there Glasspar G-3 Jim Savage has been telling us about this for Years. .?

Oops! I didn't read far enough. However it seems to me there may have been little input from the vintage boating community considering that,as I understand it, that when purchasing a boat in most cases during the time period affected a person basically purchased a bare hull and then outfitted it with engine, deck hardware,etc. It's not like our Skagit came from the factory with a choice of power options like autos. I wonder if WA. state has a similar program? Must check.