If the dinghy is eight feet or under, and not operated with an outboard
engine, you don't need to register it with the DMV. If it's larger, or you
operate it with an outboard engine, you have to register it. It's $10 per
year, and if you register it you need to display standard-sized CF numbers
on the sides of the bow.

Here's a link to the relevant page on the California DMV site:


a.. Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles.
b.. Nonmotorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length.
c.. A ship's lifeboat (a dinghy is not a lifeboat).
d.. Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state
that are principally used outside California.
e.. Vessels brought into California for racing purposes only (exempted
only during races and tune-ups).
I found this information myself on the DMV site somewhere,
Tom Dacon

"Dick Locke" wrote in message
...
I bought a dinghy in Florida, never registered it there and didn't pay
sales tax because I took it out of Florida within an allowed time. I
finally used it for the first time in California.

I was under the impression that state registration (and hence the
deadly 8-ish percent "use tax") could be avoided by labeling the
dinghy "tender to" the mother ship. That vessel is documented.

If I look at the DMV web site, it only allows exclusion for liferafts,
and says anything else has to be registered. Yet, I see lots of
dinghies labeled T/T something...

Anybody been through this experience?