Before I can launch and sail the boat I had to get it registered
in the state of Alabama. The process is fairly simple. Other states may
have different procedures.
- I called the Marine Police in Montgomery and asked for an application
for a homebuilt boat Hull Identification Number (HIN).
- I filled it out and mailed it in. A couple of months later a policeman
called and made an appointment to look at the boat.
- After looking it over for a few minutes he signed a form and gave me
some paperwork and a HIN label to put on the stern and on the
interior of the boat. The HIN is required for all boats regardless of size
or whether powered or not. Also he wanted to be sure I was not building
the boat to sell it.
- I took this paperwork to the courthouse and paid a small fee to get
a registration number you see here and a year decal. Since it was a homebuilt
there is no bill of sale. Also I did not have to estimate the value of the
boat for taxes.
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