Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

[KewlBird]

Just like the title says "Bought a boat in FL and taking it to MI", am I safe to trailer it without registering the trailer in MI first? I went to SOS but they need the trailer weighed before they will register it, even with the copy of the trailers Florida registration. Should I put on a trailer plate off of my other trailer?, will I get in big trouble if I get pulled over if I do that? Any suggestions for such a long trip? Thanks.
BTW, it's a 1990 Bayliner Trophy with a 5.7 Merc and Alpha One outrdrive.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Just like the title says "Bought a boat in FL and taking it to MI", am I safe to trailer it without registering the trailer in MI first? I went to SOS but they need the trailer weighed before they will register it, even with the copy of the trailers Florida registration. Should I put on a trailer plate off of my other trailer?, will I get in big trouble if I get pulled over if I do that? Any suggestions for such a long trip? Thanks.
BTW, it's a 1990 Bayliner Trophy with a 5.7 Merc and Alpha One outrdrive.

I'd pull the plate from the other trailer and go for it. IF you get pulled over just make sure you have your BOS, and explain that you're headed home and intend to register the trailer correctly when you get there.

 

[wildmaninal]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

As long as your traveling with the bill of sale and or title then you should be alirght I would think. Don't swap tags, I don't know if they would catch that or not, but if they did you could get fined. You should have a grace period to register for a tag anyhow.

In alabama you don't half to have a tag on the trailer, if you happen to travel through any part of it.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

if you are in Florida, you can get a temporary tag. Florida does not title trailers, and MI should accept a bill of sale, and the Florida Registration, with out it being weighed.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I was planning on using just the BOS, but wasn't sure if other states will accept that if you get pulled over. Temporary tag is probably a good idea, but I think MI SOS will still make me weigh the trailer. I had the copy of the Florida registration and BOS from previous owner and they still want it weighed...Maybe it was the clerk that didn't want to comply. I might try another location tomorrow and see if they will be of any help.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

you need a tag of some sort. in Florida, not tag is a $250 fine. even if you just bought it.

 

[oops!]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

2 things.....

i brought a b-liner back to canada from vegas last year.

if you have a bill of sale....and a registration cert for the trailer.....(not in your name)...and you politely explain to the officer......there aint one state trooper gonna give ya a ticket......(las vegas cops words...not mine).......(dont hide with false plates)


second thing..........winterze that puppy before you leave florida.....at least drain the block....manifolds....power steering pump and any fresh water systems the boat has.


good luck......and all info is worth exactly what you paid. !

cheers
oops

 

[oops!]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

a temporary permit is a great idea.....you should be able to get one at any highway truck weigh scale

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

2 things.....



second thing..........winterze that puppy before you leave florida.....at least drain the block....manifolds....power steering pump and any fresh water systems the boat has.


good luck......and all info is worth exactly what you paid. !

cheers
oops

Winterizing was the first thing that popped in my mind when I called him. I asked him if the boat was winterized and he was "Why would it be winterized?", must be nice to not have to do it. He said he will drain the block and manifolds for me, I'll have to check with him about the power steering (I didn't think about that). And I will triple check that it was done, I would hate to make it back to Michigan with a cracked block. Thanks for the tip, it will be a looooong week before I can go get it, I'll just have to stay tuned to the "hull extension in progress with picks" .

TS - With that kind of a fine I'll make sure to have some sort of a Tag.

 

[BoatBuoy]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I suppose you'll be going through Tennessee. They don't register boat trailers.

 

[chiefalen]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

All my trailers and registered as home made.

I switch them back and forth the plates and keep all the regis in my wallet.

Here they give you a little sticker to put in the lower left corner of the plate, and that, the police look for.

Just make sure the lights are working correctly, and hang a red piece of cloth on the drive shaft, when it's up.

Of course you checked the bearings and greased them good, bring the gun with you and every second time you get gas grease them again.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

...bring the gun with you and every second time you get gas grease them again.

What a good idea!!! I got various things ready for the trip but that slipped my mind. Thanks for the awesome tip.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Well just came from an unsuccessful trip to Michigan SOS. They want that weight and won't budge any other way. I contacted Florida DHSMV to see if they can fax anything that would show the weight of the trailer, which turned out to be unsuccessful as well. I contacted the seller again to see if he has anything showing the weight of the trailer and am awaiting the news. I also called Florida DHSMV again to see what I would need to get a temporary tag, they assured me all I need is a separate trailer BOS and a copy of the registration and should be able to get it. The only bad part is that I have to pay tax on it as well, temp. tag is only $4.50 + the sales tax. I can't believe that something as simple as registering a trailer can be a pain....

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

besure to keep the reciept for the tax, so you do not have to pay again in MI.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

If you think Mich. is bad you should live in NC.The worst state to ever try to register an out of state trailer.
When i bought my brand new travel trailer i had the bill of sale,certificate of origin from the factory and all of the paperwork from the dealer including a temporary registration and 30 day tag.They would still not give me tags...

It took 2 weeks and the loan company had to trust me with the original title,they mailed it to me just to show the DMV then i mailed it back....what a mess.

Remember a jack,4 way lug wrench and it has a spare i hope.
Take some wrenches to check ALL THE BOLTS on the trailer,U-bolts on the axles,winch stand,leaf springs ect....
Take some extra wire,some crimp connectors,tape and anything else you can think of.

REMEMBER! 55mph in OHIO towing a trailer... Dang Ohio cops suck!!

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

If you think Mich. is bad you should live in NC.The worst state to ever try to register an out of state trailer.
When i bought my brand new travel trailer i had the bill of sale,certificate of origin from the factory and all of the paperwork from the dealer including a temporary registration and 30 day tag.They would still not give me tags...

It took 2 weeks and the loan company had to trust me with the original title,they mailed it to me just to show the DMV then i mailed it back....what a mess.

Remember a jack,4 way lug wrench and it has a spare i hope.
Take some wrenches to check ALL THE BOLTS on the trailer,U-bolts on the axles,winch stand,leaf springs ect....
Take some extra wire,some crimp connectors,tape and anything else you can think of.

REMEMBER! 55mph in OHIO towing a trailer... Dang Ohio cops suck!!

I do plan on doing the speed limit, probably good for gas mileage while towing the 4000+lb. load. The closest I'll be to Ohio is about 5 miles to the border, the fastest route that came up on mapquest is through Indiana and avoids Ohio . My truck is getting full with all the stuff I'm bringing. Wrenches, toolset, tow chain, tow strap, spare tire, grease gun, jumper cables, emergency medical kit, lugwrench, jack. Tape, wire and connectors will be added today. I was also planning on bringing extra transom straps and some chain in case safety chain isn't long enough on the trailer.


BTW, I have to get a temp. tag in Florida, I can't get anything showing the trailer weight for the MI SOS. Seller sen't me a new BOS for trailer only so I'll be able to get the temp. tag once I get to Florida. I'm counting down the days and I'm either leaving Michigan on Thursday or Sunday. Sounds like I will be getting Thursday and Friday off from work, so more than likely Thursday will be the day.

 

[mickarch]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

I had to register a trailer I got from ohio in michigan with only a bill of sale and SN off the trailer. I went to the Berkley, MI SOS and the guy there was nice enough to let me estimate the weight of the trailer (couldn't find a public scale in a reasonable distance). They need weight so they know what class to charge you for, the heavier it is, the more expensive the plate will be.

BTW, I did tow the boat/trailer from Cleveland to Detroit without a plate and had no problems from police.

 

[TerryMSU]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Where are you located at in Michigan? I bought a boat (here in Michigan) on a trailer that had never been registered. I could not even find the VIN number sticker on it. If you are under the limit (2500 pounds if I recall), you can weigh it with the boat on the trailer. I took it to the city scales here in Grand Rapids and got it weighed. I actually registered it in Holland, because I work there. They gave me a sticker or something for no VIN. Absolutely no hassle. If you are in GR, call city scales and leave a voicemail. The sign says no public weighing or something similar, but the guy does public weighing at about 4:30 to 5:00 with an appointment for $10. Any other questions?

Good luck,
TerryMSU

 

[Floatsum]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Interesting post.
I'm getting a boat in NJ around the mid Jan.
Wondering about just registering a non-existant homemade trailer,, no tags at all,, or a borrowd set for the trip home to RI,, or just go tagless. I'll definately have paperwork (BOS's) with me for the trip.
I still don't know how the best way would be.
RI is no problem, cocerned about NJ, NY, and CT though.

With NJ on the boat,, it would certainly look suspiciouse?
Why do things need to be so danged complicated?
This is driving me nuts trying to figure out.

 

[KewlBird]

Re: Bought a boat in FL taking it to MI, questions...

Where are you located at in Michigan? I bought a boat (here in Michigan) on a trailer that had never been registered. I could not even find the VIN number sticker on it. If you are under the limit (2500 pounds if I recall), you can weigh it with the boat on the trailer. I took it to the city scales here in Grand Rapids and got it weighed. I actually registered it in Holland, because I work there. They gave me a sticker or something for no VIN. Absolutely no hassle. If you are in GR, call city scales and leave a voicemail. The sign says no public weighing or something similar, but the guy does public weighing at about 4:30 to 5:00 with an appointment for $10. Any other questions?

Good luck,
TerryMSU

I'm also in GR, the boat itself is 4000lbs, so it will have to be off of the trailer to get the trailer weighed. I'll just have to wait to get the boat up here and will go from there...