What’s needed to boat in nh

Lakelife2016 · 10-15-2017, 09:06 PM

Hi all, were looking at getting a wake boat in spring and plan on using it local in ma (where we live) and in nh occasionally, what is a little confusing is the boat safety certificate and the boat registrations will i need to register the boat in both ma and nh? And in nh in order for anyone to derive the boat they will need a boat safety certificate correct?

kawishiwi · 10-15-2017, 09:17 PM

If you live in MA I think you have to register there, only, unless you own property in NH.
You HAVE to have a NH boating certif., or an equivalent, for every adult boat driver, 16+, when you are in NH.

Lakelife2016 · 10-15-2017, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kawishiwi

If you live in MA I think you have to register there, only, unless you own property in NH.
You HAVE to have a NH boating certif., or an equivalent, for every adult boat driver, 16+, when you are in NH.

That’s what I figured but I wasn’t sure, I’ll have to see if the ma one counts for New Hampshire. Or see if ma also recognizes the nh one and just do the nh one
Thanks!

joey2665 · 10-16-2017, 04:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lakelife2016

Hi all, were looking at getting a wake boat in spring and plan on using it local in ma (where we live) and in nh occasionally, what is a little confusing is the boat safety certificate and the boat registrations will i need to register the boat in both ma and nh? And in nh in order for anyone to derive the boat they will need a boat safety certificate correct?

If you MA license is approved by the US Coast Guard or NASBLA then it is acceptable in NH

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Winnisquamer · 10-16-2017, 04:55 AM

I have a nice wake boat for sale as of now. PM me if interested!

Phantom · 10-16-2017, 06:09 AM

You can register the boat in it's "Prime" state of operation --- meaning greater than 45 days.

I also live in MA (did not have a "residence or property" at the time in NH) and bought & registered mine in NH ...... in that way you dodge the Sales Tax but on the flip side you pay MUCH higher $$ for the Registration and it's renewals (NH may be Tax Free - but they still get ya).

Regarding the Law -- MA & NH have reciprocity, so a boat registered in Ma has full access to NH waterways -- similar to a car. If your boat is in the State for more than 45 continuous days, then you are "suppose" to register it in that State.

.

Biggd · 10-16-2017, 07:55 AM

If you register in Mass you also pay an excise tax every year to your town. If it's a new boat that cost will surely out way the cost of a NH boat registration. So it's still much cheaper to register the boat in NH if that's where you plan to use it the most.
I remember when I bought my first boat off a guy in Mass and registered it in NH. A year later I got a bill from the previous owners town trying to collect his excise tax from me. Ha,ha, NOT!

chachee52 · 10-16-2017, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

If you MA license is approved by the US Coast Guard or NASBLA then it is acceptable in NH

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Don't believe MA has a boating licence. Lowell has been suggesting it this summer after a few jet ski accidents, but as was brought up, the licence is only good if there is someone on the river enforcing it.
I could be wrong though, don't do much/any boating in Ma.

Woody38 · 10-16-2017, 07:34 PM

Most all states require a license as does Massachusetts. A power squadron course or state course will qualify for licensure. There was a good reference on a previous thread last year I believe. A boating license in Massachusetts should qualify for NH.

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

Rich · 10-16-2017, 08:15 PM

I hear the BEST place to wakeboard on the lake is in Winter Harbor!

chachee52 · 10-17-2017, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Woody38

Most all states require a license as does Massachusetts. A power squadron course or state course will qualify for licensure. There was a good reference on a previous thread last year I believe. A boating license in Massachusetts should qualify for NH.

I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

https://www.boaterexam.com/usa/massa...gulations.aspx

Reading this from the MA DMV, it sounds like only people under 16 for a boat, 18 for PWC need a boating certificate. Good to know for my friend's that have kids and boats on lakes in both MA/NH. So they'd be able to drive a boat in NH under 25hp without a license but can't cross the MA line because any motorboat needs the certificate if they are under 16.

Either way, Get the boating license is always a good idea. My NH was done at the very beginning and in the classroom so its good in every state. But always good to know what's needed in each state.

Biggd · 10-18-2017, 06:21 AM

My grandson got his from Ohio. You take the course and test on line and they send you the licence.
That's the way NH first did it but experienced boaters were taking the test for everyone in their family so now you have to go take the test in person and show proof that it's you.

joey2665 · 10-18-2017, 06:39 AM

It is a flawed system though because many of the states that accept online testing are approved by the USCG an NASBLA which is accepted by NH as a result if you boat in NH but live elsewhere it's much easier to obtain a license and skirt the system.

The answer would be to not accept USCG of NASBLA approved licenses and only accept an NH license. My permanent residence is out of state and I have an NH license and felt it was important for me to take the NH test since I boat here often

Pricestavern · 10-18-2017, 04:16 PM

Nerves of Steel

SAMIAM · 10-19-2017, 08:03 AM

When I took my on line boating license test here in NH I was curious about Florida because we boat there also and I found their on line course.
Big surprise....the questions and test were exactly the same as NH......only difference were questions regarding intercoastal waterway markers.
Took a few minutes to check it out and was able to easily pass that test as well.

joey2665 · 10-19-2017, 08:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SAMIAM

When I took my on line boating license test here in NH I was curious about Florida because we boat there also and I found their on line course.
Big surprise....the questions and test were exactly the same as NH......only difference were questions regarding intercoastal waterway markers.
Took a few minutes to check it out and was able to easily pass that test as well.

Florida does not accept an NH boating license?

TiltonBB · 10-19-2017, 05:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by joey2665

Florida does not accept an NH boating license?

Florida accepts any NASBLA approved course certificate. Anyone born after January 1, 1988 needs a Florida boating license to operate a boat there.

joey2665 · 10-19-2017, 05:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TiltonBB

Florida accepts any NASBLA approved course certificate. Anyone born after January 1, 1988 needs a Florida boating license to operate a boat there.

Thank you Tilton appreciate it.

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John E · 10-29-2017, 07:27 AM

I live in MA and have my boat registered in NH. You are allowed to register a boat in NH with a MA address as long as 50% of your boating is done in NH. I've also heard (but am not positive) that if your boat stays in NH for over 30 consecutive days, it must be registered in NH.

The savings in sales tax can be substantial.

JEEPONLY · 10-29-2017, 10:37 AM

It has been rumored that, if you take your boat out of the water, then wait a day, you truly can say you just put it in TODAY!, if asked.

10-15-2017, 09:06 PM	#1
Lakelife2016 Junior Member Join Date: May 2017 Posts: 10 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	What’s needed to boat in nh Hi all, were looking at getting a wake boat in spring and plan on using it local in ma (where we live) and in nh occasionally, what is a little confusing is the boat safety certificate and the boat registrations will i need to register the boat in both ma and nh? And in nh in order for anyone to derive the boat they will need a boat safety certificate correct?

10-15-2017, 09:17 PM	#2
kawishiwi Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Posts: 519 Thanks: 227 Thanked 167 Times in 108 Posts	Reg in Mass If you live in MA I think you have to register there, only, unless you own property in NH. You HAVE to have a NH boating certif., or an equivalent, for every adult boat driver, 16+, when you are in NH.

10-16-2017, 06:09 AM	#6
Phantom Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Berlin, Ma / Gilford Posts: 1,934 Thanks: 450 Thanked 605 Times in 341 Posts	You can register the boat in it's "Prime" state of operation --- meaning greater than 45 days. I also live in MA (did not have a "residence or property" at the time in NH) and bought & registered mine in NH ...... in that way you dodge the Sales Tax but on the flip side you pay MUCH higher $$ for the Registration and it's renewals (NH may be Tax Free - but they still get ya). Regarding the Law -- MA & NH have reciprocity, so a boat registered in Ma has full access to NH waterways -- similar to a car. If your boat is in the State for more than 45 continuous days, then you are "suppose" to register it in that State. . __________________ *A bad day on the Big Lake (although I've never had one) - Still beats a day at the office!!*

10-16-2017, 08:15 PM	#10
Rich Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2012 Location: Derry / Gilford Posts: 1,242 Thanks: 70 Thanked 344 Times in 234 Posts	I hear the BEST place to wakeboard on the lake is in Winter Harbor! __________________ Don't listen to me, obviously I don't understand what I'm talking about! Let's help each other save time and money: WinniGas.com

10-29-2017, 10:37 AM	#20
JEEPONLY Deceased Member Join Date: Nov 2014 Posts: 701 Thanks: 360 Thanked 179 Times in 141 Posts	30 Days It has been rumored that, if you take your boat out of the water, then wait a day, you truly can say you just put it in TODAY!, if asked.

10-16-2017, 04:55 AM	#5
Winnisquamer Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2015 Location: Winnisquam Posts: 408 Thanks: 72 Thanked 115 Times in 73 Posts	I have a nice wake boat for sale as of now. PM me if interested!

10-16-2017, 07:55 AM	#7
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,057 Thanks: 2,184 Thanked 1,180 Times in 749 Posts	If you register in Mass you also pay an excise tax every year to your town. If it's a new boat that cost will surely out way the cost of a NH boat registration. So it's still much cheaper to register the boat in NH if that's where you plan to use it the most. I remember when I bought my first boat off a guy in Mass and registered it in NH. A year later I got a bill from the previous owners town trying to collect his excise tax from me. Ha,ha, NOT!

10-16-2017, 07:34 PM	#9
Woody38 Senior Member Join Date: May 2016 Posts: 577 Thanks: 46 Thanked 110 Times in 81 Posts	Most all states require a license as does Massachusetts. A power squadron course or state course will qualify for licensure. There was a good reference on a previous thread last year I believe. A boating license in Massachusetts should qualify for NH. I am a retired workaholic and continuing aquaholic.

10-18-2017, 06:21 AM	#12
Biggd Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: Waltham Ma./Meredith NH Posts: 4,057 Thanks: 2,184 Thanked 1,180 Times in 749 Posts	My grandson got his from Ohio. You take the course and test on line and they send you the licence. That's the way NH first did it but experienced boaters were taking the test for everyone in their family so now you have to go take the test in person and show proof that it's you.

10-18-2017, 06:39 AM	#13
joey2665 Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Meredith Bay & LI, NY Posts: 3,222 Thanks: 1,219 Thanked 1,009 Times in 649 Posts	It is a flawed system though because many of the states that accept online testing are approved by the USCG an NASBLA which is accepted by NH as a result if you boat in NH but live elsewhere it's much easier to obtain a license and skirt the system. The answer would be to not accept USCG of NASBLA approved licenses and only accept an NH license. My permanent residence is out of state and I have an NH license and felt it was important for me to take the NH test since I boat here often

10-18-2017, 04:16 PM	#14
Pricestavern Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Valencia, Spain (formerly Rattlesnake Isle) Posts: 388 Thanks: 135 Thanked 142 Times in 82 Posts	Nerves of Steel

10-19-2017, 08:03 AM	#15
SAMIAM Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 2,891 Thanks: 334 Thanked 1,673 Times in 584 Posts	When I took my on line boating license test here in NH I was curious about Florida because we boat there also and I found their on line course. Big surprise....the questions and test were exactly the same as NH......only difference were questions regarding intercoastal waterway markers. Took a few minutes to check it out and was able to easily pass that test as well.

10-29-2017, 07:27 AM	#19
John E Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 59 Thanks: 2 Thanked 8 Times in 5 Posts	I live in MA and have my boat registered in NH. You are allowed to register a boat in NH with a MA address as long as 50% of your boating is done in NH. I've also heard (but am not positive) that if your boat stays in NH for over 30 consecutive days, it must be registered in NH. The savings in sales tax can be substantial.