Glen-L.com

Hello all.

I am relatively new here to boat building. I ordered my first (of many, I am sure) boat plans from Glen-L on Monday. After I hit submit, I sat back feeling proud of myself that I made the first step. I have full confidence of finishing the project, but there is always that deep down gut feeling that I get, saying "I'm an idiot for trying to build a boat!".

After pushing those thoughts out of my mind, I turned my daydreaming vision towards seeing myself cruising about in the completed boat. That's when it hit me. How do I permit such a thing?

Growing up, my dad had an old fiberglass boat that we rarely used, because he couldn't afford to buy the state tags. Now that I am an adult, I sense he was using that as an excuse to not have to take the boat out every weekend. He owned an auto repair shop and ALWAYS worked the weekends.

I am sure this topic has been covered somewhere here on the forums, but I have yet to find any information. Also, what are the ramifications of selling a boat that was home-built? Do I need some sort of title? I plan on building the Squirt for starters, but I already know that it will be too small for my growing family. I then plan on building something bigger, once I can reassure myself that I can do it. At that point, I will not need the smaller boat, and would like to pass it along to someone that is not in need of something bigger.

So many questions. Sorry.

Thanks everyone for the information.

Registering a home-built boat is very simple in most states.

Usually, the environmental police, dept of natural resources or some other natural resource police agency must inspect the boat. The inspection of the boat is typically to validate the appearence (i.e. length, color, style, etc) and has little to do with reviewing the build quality of the boat. At the conclusion of the inspection, a hull ID number will be placed on the boat in 2 locations and you will be provided with a certificate of origin.

That document is then taken to registry (agency varies by state) where you will usually have to pay sales tax for any materials used to build the boat. Keep all of your receipts. If you have already paid sales tax on some items, they will not be included in the calculation. Once the sales tax has been paid, pay your registration fees and pay your titling fee, you will be issued your registration number (numbers on the side of the boat). The title is usually sent to your home a week or two later.

There really isn't much to it. Check your state's websites. They usually have the process clearly documented.

Two short comments. First, keep your receipts on everything you purchased and actually use in construction of the boat. The state will probably want a listing or copies. Second, if you have a friendly marine dealership nearby they will have the forms, and hopefully, some experience on how to title and register a home made boat. I've done it three times - - not a problem.

Robert A