Long haul purchase of 2024 222 FSH E

[Ericd]

When launching I keep the number five in mind. Two trailer straps, two clean out plugs and the bilge plug. That’s my mental checklist!

 

[Exciter 220]

Still trying to get the trailer and boat registered. Not simple in Texas.

Why do you say that? I do it all the time, or so it seems.

 

[qwikkotatx]

Why do you say that? I do it all the time, or so it seems.

The boat registration is with Parks and Wildlife, the office is not all that close to my house and only had 1 teller working with a long line of people. The clerk did not want to accept that the fact that I paid taxes already on the boat and wanted me to pay it again. There was also an issue with the bill of sale not being split up to show separate purchases for the boat and trailer. I had to get the dealer to send me a new bill of sale with the trailer split out at $1 since they didn't have an actual cost for it.

I went to the local county office for the trailer registration/titling and was surprised it was more expensive than my truck on a yearly basis. I paid for a 5 year tag and it was over $400. Thankfully this boat has inboards or that would have been more titles to deal with.

 

[qwikkotatx]

When launching I keep the number five in mind. Two trailer straps, two clean out plugs and the bilge plug. That’s my mental checklist!

I am getting better at it. Went out yesterday with the whole family without issue even though it was a bit windy and water was churned up. Wife caught quite a few fish and was very happy to be on the boat.

 

[Exciter 220]

The boat registration is with Parks and Wildlife, the office is not all that close to my house and only had 1 teller working with a long line of people. The clerk did not want to accept that the fact that I paid taxes already on the boat and wanted me to pay it again. There was also an issue with the bill of sale not being split up to show separate purchases for the boat and trailer. I had to get the dealer to send me a new bill of sale with the trailer split out at $1 since they didn't have an actual cost for it.

I went to the local county office for the trailer registration/titling and was surprised it was more expensive than my truck on a yearly basis. I paid for a 5 year tag and it was over $400. Thankfully this boat has inboards or that would have been more titles to deal with.

Our local tax office will title boats purchased within the state of Texas. Out of state purchases must go through TPW. The dealer should have known that you can't put two vehicles on one Bill of Sale, but a Bill of Sale carries no weight in Texas. Can't believe they couldn't give you a price for it. Did they give you a Certificate of Origin for the trailer? They should have. Did you get a title for the trailer? The tax rate for boats and trailers are 6.25%, so it really doesn't matter how they split it up. All trailers with a GVW over 4500 pounds require a title (as well as brakes). The 5 year renewal is fairly recent and I don't do it.

I don't know if Florida is a title state for boats or not. I bought a sailboat from there and they didn't have a Florida title, but I don't know if that applies to power boats, or if it depends on length, weight, private vs commercial use, etc.

I've purchased two boats from out-of-state this year--and it's only March! Guess I need mental help...

I've owned 4 power boats, 3 sailboats, and 32 PWCs, and 15 trailers (I think) so I've spent more time at the TPD / tax office than the average person will in a lifetime. Some of the crap I've dealt with! I even had to get our State Senator involved with one boat deal.

On my last boat/trailer purchase, the girl had reached my breaking point. She wanted the odometer reading for the trailer! I said, loud enough for the entire place to hear, "It doesn't HAVE an odometer, it's a BOAT TRAILER!" She had to verify that with her boss. Sometimes it's easier to come back the next day and get another clerk.

 

[qwikkotatx]

Our local tax office will title boats purchased within the state of Texas. Out of state purchases must go through TPW. The dealer should have known that you can't put two vehicles on one Bill of Sale, but a Bill of Sale carries no weight in Texas. Can't believe they couldn't give you a price for it. Did they give you a Certificate of Origin for the trailer? They should have. Did you get a title for the trailer? The tax rate for boats and trailers are 6.25%, so it really doesn't matter how they split it up. All trailers with a GVW over 4500 pounds require a title (as well as brakes). The 5 year renewal is fairly recent and I don't do it.

I don't know if Florida is a title state for boats or not. I bought a sailboat from there and they didn't have a Florida title, but I don't know if that applies to power boats, or if it depends on length, weight, private vs commercial use, etc.

I've purchased two boats from out-of-state this year--and it's only March! Guess I need mental help...

I've owned 4 power boats, 3 sailboats, and 32 PWCs, and 15 trailers (I think) so I've spent more time at the TPD / tax office than the average person will in a lifetime. Some of the crap I've dealt with! I even had to get our State Senator involved with one boat deal.

On my last boat/trailer purchase, the girl had reached my breaking point. She wanted the odometer reading for the trailer! I said, loud enough for the entire place to hear, "It doesn't HAVE an odometer, it's a BOAT TRAILER!" She had to verify that with her boss. Sometimes it's easier to come back the next day and get another clerk.

No, Florida does not require trailer registration. I do have the title thankfully. Paid things off after a few months since I had sold an expensive car before that and had the cash. Fully financing the boat would have nearly double the cost. I was not sure about the 5 year registration but they said it was a slight discount. The dealer paid the tax to Florida. They said the state would forward the money to Texas. Uh huh.

That is a lot of boats and PWCs. This is our first.

Trailer odometer, that's a riot. The clerk I had wasn't entirely green but luckily the supervisor was close by to assist.

 

[Exciter 220]

Well, it's a beautiful boat! I hope it serves you well for many years to come!