temporary attaching the registration sticker

[blackberg]

I am in california,
just got the registration sticker,
I want to take the boat out on the water once before we tear it down to restore, which most likely will mean painting the outside as well.
Any one has any tips on how to put the stickers on and removing them undamaged to paint and then putting them back on?
thanks
-bb

 

[jayhanig]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

If it were me, I'd take it with me and have it ready in case you get pinched. But if your exposure is going to be short, I would not attach it to the hull. You could scotch tape it to the hull, cover it with saran and then cover the whole thing with transparent packing tape. It would look OK at a distance yet not be destroyed when you try to remove it. If you get stopped, tell them what you told us and take your chances.

 

[veritas honus]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

Go to Staples or Office Depot and get a sheet of clear "pressure sticker" (non-adhesive sticker for smooth surfaces). Place the registration in the middle of it facing out; and stick it to the hull without using the adhesive backing of the reg. sticker. Tape the edges down with clear packing tape, as Jay suggested. Clean the area very well prior to sticking it on. Use rubbing alcohol as the final cleaning until your cleaning pad stays clean after wiping the area. When your done boating, remove the sticker from the "pressure sticker", and it will still be like new.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

It's not big deal don't put it on and if you get pulled over by harbor patrol or any one else just tell them what you told us there understanding there not going to give you poop for it.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

A couple of years ago, I left off the sticker because I was testing the hull to see if repairs in the number area would crack during use.

Of course, local gendarmes stopped me. I showed them the sticker and explained but they gave me a written warning--no fine. I suppose it is the discretion or whim of the officer.

So, either take your chances or attach it as above explained.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

good point frank it all depends on the guy in charge that day. I know they guy around were i live is nice and will listen and understand. And a warnings not bad. i know another partorl guy in another town near by that is hassling every boater that goes by and fining jet ski clubs. so now were i live gets a few jetski clubs some nice jetskies out there

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

I actually did this a few years ago, I simply sealed the sticker in a plastic bag with my wife's seal a meal, and used clear packing tape over it, then when I was done, took it off and put the sticker with the paperwork until I had finished restoring the boat, I was stopped and they didn't give me any problem. As long as you explain to them what your doing, I can't see why you would have any problems.

What state are you located in? you might call the regulating agency and ask..just explain what you explained here..

 

[blackberg]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

I was thinking of those suggestions actually, you guys gave me some good ideas.
I saw some old posts here on just getting a new one from DMV, but thats $20 here, to much for using it one time.
-bb

 

[veritas honus]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

I like the seal a meal vacuum pack idea better than my own. Good thinking MTBoatguy.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

ya but thats just a waist of 20 dollars

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

ya but thats just a waist of 20 dollars

How is it a waste? When your ready to mount it permanately, you just take it out of the bag, then apply to the boat as normal, putting in the sealed bag just allows you to tape over the sticker on the boat to attach it, without damaging the sticker. When ready to mount, you put a slit in the bag, remove sticker, remove backing then stick to boat.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

How is it a waste? When your ready to mount it permanately, you just take it out of the bag, then apply to the boat as normal, putting in the sealed bag just allows you to tape over the sticker on the boat to attach it, without damaging the sticker. When ready to mount, you put a slit in the bag, remove sticker, remove backing then stick to boat.

I believe he was referring to the $20 replacement from the DMV.

 

[MTboatguy]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

I believe he was referring to the $20 replacement from the DMV.

Maybe?

 

[Ned L]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

I've put it in a plastic sandwich bag & used packing tape to stick it to the hull & it worked just fine.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

If you do the sandwich bag/vacuum pack and clear tape thing, and the Harbor Patrol does stop you and force you to apply them on-the-spot (yes, that happened to me last year on my last-run-before-restore), then:

-Save the backings/release papers
-Don't press real hard when applying; if possible, leave one corner unstuck
-When you get home, use a fresh razor blade to peel up a corner and an eyedropper with rubbing alcohol to mildly douse the adhesive while peeling up the sticker slowly (don't stretch or tear it)
-Shake excess alcohol off the decal and blow the rest dry with your mouth
-Stick the decal back onto the release paper

I did all that, and my CA decals went back on good-as-new after restoration.

Hint: make sure you peel up all the old stickers first and clean the area good with alcohol (or better yet acetone), so it's easier to remove the current sticker if it comes to all that.

 

[sea_goin_dude]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

a blow dryer will help take them off so they can be reused later. Just heat em up and they should peel off easily.

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

i was talking about buying a new sticker not the bag

 

[Lion hunter]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

If it were me I'd leave it off and just carry it. The intent of the law is that everyone pays registration. Displaying it only helps with compliance but is not the intent of the law. Then again if you encounter the wrong officer you may pay a fine or lose work because you had to go to court and that would cost more than the replacement sticker. Make sure you carry the papers as well and your hull ID is readable or they will think that your trying to switch registrations between boats.

 

[ajgraz]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

Intent is one thing, but in CA at least the letter of the law is clear that it must be displayed, and must be affixed to the hull (and specifically, not in any way that it is removeable, such as attached to a plate that is then attached to the hull).

 

[smallboatlover]

Re: temporary attaching the registration sticker

ya my niebohor never had a problem with having the registration on a plate and he switches it between two small boats a zodiac and a dinghy