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Building a boat with a "motor" that doesn't require registration?

ultimatebob

ultimatebob

Lifer
I want to get a motorboat, but the state of Connecticut requires that you register any boat that has an electric or gas motor.

I feel like "sticking it to the man" and coming up with some other propulsion system that doesn't require gas or electric energy to work.

Using paddles or a sail is the easy solution, but I want something more creative. I'm thinking that something with compressed air would work, or maybe a pedal powered boat. What other ideas do you guys have?
 
I highly doubt the actual regulation specifically says "electric or gas" since there are boats that run on diesel. Further, you need to register sailboats over a certain length. All I could find, looking at the regulations, was "motor" with no special type of motor specified.

So, please do keep us entertained with your attempt to "stick it to the man," because the outcome is going to be "the man stuck it to you."


In the incredibly unlikely event that Connecticut completely forgot about diesel engines, and there is no language anywhere, then, well,
Duh, build a boat powered by diesel.

Then, after the man sticks it to you, let us know how many hours you spent, how much money on a lawyer, etc., that it took to win your case.


P.S., afaik, EVERY state requires you to register motorized boats. Some states (PA) even require registration of recreational watercraft, such as canoes.
 
Last edited:
Found it:
Motorboat: A vessel, not more than 65 feet in length and propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, including electric motors.
Click to expand...


That also covers canoes in the case that you decide to attach a trolling motor to it at any time.
 
Well, if a team of dogs can pull a sled, a team of them can doggie paddle and pull a boat. Get yourself a dozen labs and have fun.
 
When you consider the cost of a boat and a reasonable propulsion system, the registration is typically such a small percentage of the cost, I don't know why you're wasting your time.

I used to have a 17.5 foot bow rider with an inboard/outboard. It was good because it was a 3.0L 4 cylinder that would do 40mph on the lake and get decent gas mileage. My current boat is a 22ft pontoon. I've had 11 people on that boat, but it doesn't travel nearly as fast or get good gas mileage in comparison....it is, however, more spacious.
 
Sails are cooler. You might not be sticking it to the man, but at least your boating will be more artful.
 
paddleboat.jpg
 
DrPizza said:
Found it:
Motorboat: A vessel, not more than 65 feet in length and propelled by machinery, whether or not such machinery is the principal source of propulsion, including electric motors.
Click to expand...

:hmm: What about bringing a large tank of compressed air onto the boat, leaving the compressor on land? Endurance is going to be an issue though

Other ideas:
Place one large magnet on your boat and the other on shore. Lack of effective distance may be an issue

Generate an object with a massive gravitational pull - say a black hole or a super dense item of matter and let your boat (and everything else) be drawn towards it.
 
How fat are you? Assuming you won't be boating in winter months, you could do a series of cannonballs off the back of the boat to push the boat forward. You could make hairpin turns if you invited enough fat friends over to coordinate with.
 
Exterous said:
What about bringing a large tank of compressed air onto the boat, leaving the compressor on land? Endurance is going to be an issue though
Click to expand...

I don't think that changes the basic fact that your vessel is being propelled by machinery. You're just storing the energy in a different form.
 
DrPizza said:
Found it:
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That also covers canoes in the case that you decide to attach a trolling motor to it at any time.
Click to expand...


Hell, the way it's written, a sailboat with a kicker that's never used is covered, too.

To the OP, just pony up the $$ for registration. Cheap, esp. compared to the expense of owning and operating a boat.

It's not like you're planning to register a 40' boat, are you? I know in SC and GA the registration fees aren't horrible. For instance, in SC I get 3 or 4 years out of my $30 registration; GA gives me 3 years for a $36 fee---this is all based on my current boat, a 17' Javelin F&S w/115hp. Small, but quick. 😉
 
Markbnj said:
I don't think that changes the basic fact that your vessel is being propelled by machinery. You're just storing the energy in a different form.
Click to expand...

Perhaps but if you use a hand pump, gasket and release value I don't think it would be considered machinery.
 
Leros said:
A dozen freshwater dolphins would be better.
Click to expand...

How about if you did a dog & dolphin tandem team. Put the dolphins out in front of the dogs to give the dogs something to chase. Add some element of peril for the dolphins to get them swimming. It's self sustaining energy!
 
My Idea:
Build a steamboat. However, the firebox heating a boiler and then the water pressure moving the prop would be considered mechanically powered. However, you could have it run off of wood, coal, or anything else flammable.

Of course to get any real power out of it, it would be very dangerous since you would need very high pressure, but, it would sure as hell be a cool project.

Jeeebus said:
How fat are you? Assuming you won't be boating in winter months, you could do a series of cannonballs off the back of the boat to push the boat forward. You could make hairpin turns if you invited enough fat friends over to coordinate with.
Click to expand...

This is the best idea.
 
I don't think it will cost that much to register, it's just a registration after all, unless you have some antiboat policy going on. What usually costs money is the place to park it.
 
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