Sticker for over 30 feet....

[Sundancer]

I've been forced to purchase this sticker the last few years. I haven't successfully argued against it....YET!! My question is it over all length or how is it determined? I have a 30 footer, but according to Coast Guard regs or boat manufacturing marketing hype, it's only 29' 8" long. BUT, that doesn't include the bolt on swimplatform or bolt on bow pulpit. So do I have any basis for the argument or should I just cave and keep paying for the sticker? Granted, it's a small fee to pay but when I suggested I was under, the guy said he needed documentation to that effect. So would a marketing brochure suffice or is this just a losing battle?

Thanks!

[SomeSailor]

I dunno. I think I'd just pay the $30. It's hard to argue with someone over it when your designation is a 300DA. That's pretty clearly being sold as 30 feet + in length. My 2859 is a bit over 30' with the swimstep, but at least I'd be able to show I'm registered as 28 LOA. Tougher when your boat is modeled with the length in the name. :)

[pkrogh]

Pardon my ignorance, but what's the sticker for? Towing? USCG?
Just curious.
Thanks,
Pete

[wickus]

Return to US through Customs. sum $30 when you come back.

[Watts-N-Shots]

I have a 300DA and buy the sticker. Mine is 30.5' and with the swim step is 33.5', so I'm in a different boat, hehe. When I haul the dinghy and count the anchor, probably around 36'. Stinks to be right on the edge but I pay it up front. You on the other hand, may have a point unless they are talking LOA. What do the regs say concerning how length is measured?

[Watts-N-Shots]

Well, they don't tell you how they measure the length.......

http://www.cbp.gov/xp/cgov/travel/pleasure_boats/user_fee/user_fee_decal.xml

User Fee Payment Required
Payment of the User Fee is required if:

You operate a vehicle for commercial purposes that enters the United States.
You operate a private vessel that is 30 feet or more in length that enters the United States.
In order to qualify as a private vessel requiring a decal, the vessel cannot carry passengers who pay a fare.
You operate an aircraft, which is non-commercial and enters the United States.

Then they reference the following CFR.....

19 CFR 24.22 states........

(3) Exceptions. The following are exempt from payment of the fee specified in paragraph (e)(1) of this section: (i) Private pleasure vessels of less than 30 feet in length, so long as they are not carrying any goods required to be declared to Customs; (ii) Any private pleasure vessel granted a cruising license under 4.94 of this chapter, during the term of the license; and (iii) Any private vessel which, at the time of arrival, is being transported by any vessel other than a ferry.

Could not find any additional info on length......good luck.

[Fish-a-Palooza]

Like Somesailor said. Whatever your registration says it is, it is!

[Nehalennia]

I feel that it should be either for all sized boats or none.

[Go Aweigh2452]

I would imagine border control consider anything over 30 ft to be harder to go through and therefore need to charge more...

Now the question... how many over 30's are being checked as compared to under 30's? hmmmm... I'd bet its a cash cow...

[Sundancer]

Thanks for all of the replies. I did some fishing around and I have a feeling it's a lost cause anyway! Oh well, I just thought I'd see if anybody could help me find HOW the boat is measured. Either way, it's open to interpretation and it will always cost me and benefit them!!

[SomeSailor]

It's pretty simple:

User Fee Payment Required
Payment of the User Fee is required if:


You operate a vehicle for commercial purposes that enters the United States.
You operate a private vessel that is 30 feet or more in length that enters the United States.
In order to qualify as a private vessel requiring a decal, the vessel cannot carry passengers who pay a fare.
You operate an aircraft, which is non-commercial and enters the United States.



Length - A vessel's length is the distance from bow to stern of the hull not counting anything attached items that can be removed such as a bow pulpit or swim platform. If the bow pulpit and/or swim platform are molded into the hull then it's included in the length.

Length Overall - is the distance from the tip of the bow pulpit to the aft edge of the swim platform if attached to the vessel.

They're talking specifically "Length" therefore you could probably argue it. IF the "length" is truly under 30'.

[Seacrazy]

A few years ago, I checked into US customs at Friday Harbor, in a 3058 Bayliner. (A "30 Footer"). The agent asked if I had any documentation that the boat may be even an inch less than 30 feet, and i would not have to pay the fee. Unfortunately, I had nothing to prove it, so shelled out the dough. I think if you would have a brochure of your model boat, showing less than 30 feet, they may accept it.

[SomeSailor]

Simplest answer would be what does the registration say? I'd bet it's probably 30'

[Stompor]

I only purchase a tag when I return from Canada.
When I had my 2855 the registration stated it was over 30 feet and I had to pay.
The next year at Friday Harbor, I did not take the registration up, but offered to pay and was told that because the model number indicated it was a 28ft boat, it was free.
So I would suggest if the registration claims less than 30, take it in and show them, otherwise you are going to have to pay.

[Sundancer]

Somesailor, THANKS!! That's what I had heard! I attempted to register the boat as a 29'8" boat, but they rounded it up to 30 feet in Idaho. I'll make sure I take the brochure in with me next time and see what they say. That's why I asked if it was with or without the bolted on items! I'm not going to get myself in trouble with these guys because they will search me every year. Kind of like when you are tagged as a terrorist going through TSA each week at the airport!

[SomeSailor]

I'm not going to get myself in trouble with these guys because they will search me every year. Kind of like when you are tagged as a terrorist going through TSA each week at the airport!

Yeah. There's probably some field they can check as "Problematic or Confrontational" and make your life hell. :)

[Nehalennia]

Yeah. There's probably some field they can check as "Problematic or Confrontational" and make your life hell. :)

Yeah, you know you have to keep an eye on those E-WA guys......trouble I say.

[Go Aweigh2452]

Well, I know for a fact they keep a log of all your entries... an old Chief friend of mine from USS Carl Vinson is one of those border guys that answer the phone when you check in and we had a nice chat... They keep the most mundane information on you and can ask so they can verify who you are at a moments notice...

[2859er]

Yeah, you know you have to keep an eye on those E-WA guys......trouble I say.

:argh2

[Nehalennia]

:argh2
:mrgreen:

[Sundancer]

Us Eastern, WA folks ARE trouble! Better get off the ramps, out of the water and out of our way! We can't anchor, are convinced any exposure to salt water is like dipping your boat in strong acid, cuss in Western WA traffic, Drive like youngsters in the snow, are all farmers or ex-farmers and are conservative as heck! :mrgreen:

[Tedster]

Us Eastern, WA folks ARE trouble! Better get off the ramps, out of the water and out of our way! We can't anchor, are convinced any exposure to salt water is like dipping your boat in strong acid, cuss in Western WA traffic, Drive like youngsters in the snow, are all farmers or ex-farmers and are conservative as heck! :mrgreen:

You sound like fun to me!

[Randygh]

Yep, Sundancer is correct. We're from the "right" side of the state, don't have mildew growing between our toes, consider Starbuck's a fancy, overpriced phu-phu coffee, look forward to opening day of hunting season, know what is a cattle guard, and laugh at the absurd idea of removing the four hydroelectric dams on the lower Snake River. :D

[Sundancer]

Starbuck? That's a town in Eastern, WA. What is this phu-phu overpriced coffee thing you speak of? We also know what smudging is, can optimize the speed of a combine in a wheat field, know how to drag a 90 foot rod weeder behind a D6, have pulled calves, dipped sheep and never see lines at the boat launch!

[Go Aweigh2452]

Yep, you guys crack me up....

You Eastern Washingtonians sound like you have it all... Why even think of coming to this side and into all that nasty salt water we have here?

Maybe you ought to stay on that side and enjoy what you have instead of coming to the dark side... hehehehe... ;););)

[Sundancer]

Doug, you're right! I've only done it TWICE in my life time!! The freshwater has it's advantages!! Flathead Lake in Montana is looking pretty good.....

[SomeSailor]

Starbuck? That's a town in Eastern, WA. What is this phu-phu overpriced coffee thing you speak of? We also know what smudging is, can optimize the speed of a combine in a wheat field, know how to drag a 90 foot rod weeder behind a D6, have pulled calves, dipped sheep and never see lines at the boat launch!

Grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. Done ALL of the above (as well as broke horses, drilled winter wheat, butchered cows and hogs, baled hay, disked and dozed) and frankly it's over-rated. :)

There's a reason you guys come over here... and a reason why there are lines at the ramps. :)

[Randygh]

I love the dark side for the best boating on the left coast of the continental US. Wish we lived closer to salt water. The Salish Sea is like the Sirens' calls, but I don't plan on shipwrecking due to the beckoning calls.

[Nehalennia]

Yeah there is nothing better than some of the boating around here. I think for me, compared to lakes, is the potential. It feels like there are boundless places that I still have yet to visit. I do enjoy, the Columbia river and Chelan once each a year to get that clean pure water to swim and play in, but nothing compares to a couple weeks wandering the WA/BC waters.

[voyager]

Grew up in Texas and Oklahoma. Done ALL of the above (as well as broke horses, drilled winter wheat, butchered cows and hogs, baled hay, disked and dozed) and frankly it's over-rated. :)

There's a reason you guys come over here... and a reason why there are lines at the ramps. :)

Me to, reminds me of my childhood in NE. Plus the shoveling snow in the winter, Sweating your Ar@#@ off in the summer and dreaming of better places. Thats why I'm here.