Next message: Rick H Kennerly: "RE: lv-ab: Cayman Isles (tax inequalities)"
The limit is 90 days in Maryland waters. Boats staying over that limit are
liable for a *user fee* based on 5% of the boat's value (a boat bought in
Maryland pays 5% sales tax although at one time it was possible to designate
the 5% as a user fee paid to the MD Dept. of Natural Resources). I've run
into mixed accounts of sales tax paid in other states being taken into account
when registering in Maryland. Needless to say, being able to document fees
paid is a must.
Documented boats must also register in Maryland although they receive just a
pair of stickers, one for each side of the mast, issued bi-annually.
MNRP (Maryland Natural Resources Police - the DNR officers were combined into
the Maryland State Police system a few years ago) does marina sweeps.
However, it should be kept in mind the MNRP also monitor the crab, shell fish,
and fin fish fisheries and well as their law enforcement roles. They're
spread pretty thin so the chances of being pounced on after 90 days isn't very
great. But... if a boat is found arrears, it's a safe bet the owner will
probably be liable for at least a fine (it's $50 for an out of date sticker,
for example) and possibly interest. OTOH, I registered a hard dinghy that I'd
bought severial years prior to registering the boat. I did it as a walk-in
registration in Centerville and nobody raised an eyebrow over the matter. (I
registered the dinghy because I finally bought a motor for it)
As to fairness... eh, it's just another form of "revenue enhancement". The
good news is that at least you can cruise in Maryland and Virginia while in
the Chesapeake. Documenting the time out of Maryland (or Virginia, they'll
want money for boats that stay too long, too) should help with re-setting the
90 day clock.
Rick Emerson
S/V One With The Wind, Baba 35
DISCLAIMER: The above comments are a combinaton of opinion and reports of
anecdotal evidence. They are not to be taken as legal advice.
R C Smith Jr writes:
> How about this:
>
> You buy your boat in Delaware (or Oregon or anywhere there is no sales tax)
> and you live aboard and cruise full time. Legal so far.
>
> Say you spend a couple months on the Chesapeake Bay and Maryland decides to
> charge you 5% of the value of your boat for the privilege. That IS current
> MD law (unless you can prove you spent more calendar time in another state
> AND you paid that state 5% tax). Fair?
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