Register TI in Texas

I have heard yes and no as far as it needs be registered.

The way I read this below is "yes" I need to register it.
Registration

Do I need to register my boat?

Yes. The following vessels (when on Texas public water) are required by law to have current registration. This includes vessels that are docked or moored:

* All motorized boats, regardless of length (motorized boats include boats propelled by a trolling motor); and
* All sailboats 14 feet in length or longer or any sailboat with an auxiliary engine(s); and
* USCG Documented vessels.

Exempted vessels — All (non-motorized) canoes, kayaks, punts, rowboats, or rubber rafts (regardless of length) when paddled, poled, or oared; sailboats under 14 feet in length when windblown; USCG documented commercial vessels used in coastal shipping; and USCG documented vessels exceeding 115 feet in length.

Link: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/boat/registration_and_titles/#faq1


Your thoughts?

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

I speak from experience here. Yes, your AI or TI needs to be registered in Texas. I bought mine in Corpus last August and was told it did not have to be registered because it's a kayak; however, I needed to because I travel to other states throughout the year. The problem back then was the issue was gray because no one wanted to make the call on these vessels. If you talked to a dealer or a game warden you never got the same response twice. Finally, I spoke with the higher mucky-mucks in Austin and they assured me that it indeed needed to be registered because if it looks like a duck and walks like a duck, etc, etc, it's a duck, i.e. if its propelled by a sail, it is indeed a sailboat. Some devils advocates said "Well if I get pulled over, I'll just furl up and pedal." That argument didn't fly with the Austin Texas Parks and Wildlife. So if you live in texas, get it registered because you never know when you're going to run into a Barney Fife on a power trip. It costs about $50 bucks more or less and I believe that's good for two years.

Thanks!

Kind of what I was thinking. Not worth the trouble when I am out on the lake or ocean and get stopped. Do not want to deal with the trouble. Fifty bucks to avoid that level of pain is worth it to me.

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

... got a TI on the way (+ trailex trailer). Will "they" have VIN (number(s)); what will I provide to DPS?

If I remember correctly, Hobie must provide a Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO). You cannot register it without that. Texas Parks and Wildlife will issue numbers. Hobie also engraves (scratches) Hull ID numbers near the rear close to the rudder right in the plastic. I did it all through the mail with the folks in Austin and they were friendly and helpful as opposed to the local office in Brownsville.

BikerCraig, thanks for the info.
Is the MSO something that comes with the boat at time of purchase or do I need to request this ?

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

The MSO is supposed to come with all new boats regardless of manufacturer but sometimes they forget. Also it's often thrown away accidentally with the packaging materials. I speak from experience.

Thanks for the info.

_________________

I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Dumb question perhaps... but here it goes.
After I register the TI I will need to stick the boat number on the boat.
What kind of numbers/letters do I need to get it?
Do I need to go to a boat place or hardware store?

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I'd rather be sailing,
Mark.

Mark - This seems like a good question to me. I have been wondering the same thing as in OK I have the same requirement to place the registration numbers on the hull. I wonder if stickers will stick to the TI. Let me tell you what I did with another boat of mine. I'm not sure this would work with the TI, but it's an idea.

With my Gentleman's Runabout (fiberglass hull and mahogany wood deck - deck looks like a vintage wood boat), I didn't want to stick the ugly numbers on the hull. Instead, I have plastic plates that are slightly larger than the string of numbers/letters & state sticker. This plastic plate has oval holes in it with small straps going through these holes. The straps have snaps on the end of them. The boat has the oposite side of the snaps located in an inconspcuous place and I can snap the number plates on when needed (leaving port, coming into port or when I see a patrol vessel). Actually, when under way, the wind flips them up into the inside of the cockpit and I just flip them back out when needed.

While this may not be the best solution for the TI, maybe it generates some thoughts on alternative ideas for the TI. I am interested to hear what you work out because I will need to solve the same problem in a couple weeks.

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Mark
2010 Tandem Island
2010 Adventure
Hobie Cat 14T
Home built sailboat (in progress)

Edmond, OK