: So if Harvey Golden builds a 25' East Greenland replica, it's supposed to
: have big, ugly stickers? Yeah, right.

Yup - and it's a fine if they choose to impose it. They arent too diligent about these things, and Harvey might be ableto get an exclusion because it's a replica.

: Revenue generation, pure and simple. I'd rather mail them a $20 check and
: call it even, rather than them having to inspect my HIN, inspect my state
: registration number and sticker, and then pay wardens to motor about and
: make sure I have the stupid number.

I dont have any problem with the water being patrolled - remember the jetski incident? I see drunk idiots in powerboats doing stupid and dangerous things all the time, and am quite happy to see them ticketed for it. I just think it's silly to hold a kayak to a powerboat standard.

: In Montana, it's called a "fee in lieu of tax", but I'm not really
: sure how it isn't a tax.

: Maybe if you're a retailer. If I pay you $1500 for one of your boats, who's
: going to care whether it's papered?

Not me!

: Like I said before, if it were just a matter of money, I'd pay, but I really
: don't want big, ugly numbers on my boats. The thing that really irks me is
: that I don't think any of the registration money goes for boating
: facilities. Most of the boating facilities are paid for by fishing license
: fees. (which are all free put-ins) I don't even fish, but I'm going to buy
: a fishing license next year, because I like where the money is going.

Actually, here in Oregon, as far as I know that isnt true at all. The state marine board is funded entirely by boat registrations. And all that money goes directly into supporting the boating committee. At least thats how it was, unless theyve changed it. I recall several years ago a ballot inititave to put it into the general fund, and it was defeated soundly. It's a model orginization - pretty reasonable registration fees, and a self-supporting program. This last year, they wanted to impose a requirement to register all kayaks and canoes, at the same $15 or $20 per year. That's $75 per year for an idiot like me who cant stop building the things. Heck, the fines are probably cheaper!

Money-grubbing jerks.