'lo all, Many boats on the East coast are registered in other countries, such as the British Virgin Islands and Belize, in order to avoid sales and property taxes. (Florida has sales taxes, but does not levy property taxes on boats. We have a graduated registration fee instead, which is applicable to both documented and non-documented boats.) I imagine (don't know) that they pay some sort of fees/taxes, but as long as the boat is "officially" taken out of US waters every once in a while (different time periods in different states), they don't have to pay US state taxes. This practice kinda irks me, as the boats are here, using all the government funded navigational aids, would holler for government help in a second, etc., but don't pay anything because they are more or less permanent "guests". I would think they use up more fuel trying to avoid taxes than they are saving, but if you just walk the docks, especially in south Florida, you will see them. I categorically would not want to lose the ability/privilege to visit other states and countries without having to register/pay taxes for the boat to be there. (Not to be confused with registering and paying for short term visitor permits in some foreign countries.) Tax-avoiders could cause the international and intranational laws to be dramatically changed, though. It has been done to some extent already. But then, how many US-owned cruise ships, tankers, and freighters are registered in the US, and regularly use our ports???? US and state tax, labor and maritime laws foster the practice of registering US owned ships to a foreign-registered subsidiary who then "owns" the vessel as a non-US entity, thus avoiding US taxes, many USCG inspections/requirements, US labor-rates, etc. I hate paying taxes, too, but do believe all should pay their fair share.....OK, I'm now off my soapbox. Wayne M/V Celestial Albin 43 Sundeck