Hi Jimmy,
I am a canuck who had his sailboat in Seattle and took a trip in my
dinghy up through the locks into Lake
Union. I was accosted by two incredibly rude Harbour cops who hassled
me big time over no registration
numbers on my boat and the fact I was a foreigner didn't make any
difference to them in the slightest.
You can't go anywhere other that from your boat to shore by the shortest
possible route in an unregistered
dinghy. That was about 10 years ago and I haven't been back and have
no plans to ever go again.
That country is simply not worth the hassle between the border guards,
coasties and harbour police. If you
really want a treat.... go to San Diego and try anchoring. Harbour
Nazi's decend on you in droves.
Good luck going south but myself and many others won't ever go south
again. Hope this helps.
cheers John

Jimmy wrote:

Hi Folks,

Up here in Canada (at least in Ontario) boats powered under 10hp are
not required to be registered. This is the case with my 10 foot RIB
and 9.9 outboard motor, which I use as a tender when sailing my big
boat. No name on the dinghy, no registration numbers.

In a trip through the eastern USA to Florida, am I likely to encounter
problems with local police or coat guard because the dinghy is
unregistered, unlicensed, etc.?

Anyone experience problems with the local authorities?

Warning and tips appreciated.

Jimmy