[Rhodes22-list] Michael? Capacity/weight regulations.

[ed kroposki]

I started looking at all that information on the site Rummy sent.  And if a
sailboat did not have a motor, I would completely agree with Federal
regulations.  But, while you may be right, it does not stop a quirky law
enforcement person from saying, but, 'you are operating with your motor on,
which makes you fall under the motorized regulations'.

I have seen that problem from South Carolina Department of Natural Resources
which interprets the laws here to mean that they have jurisdiction over
every boat including sailboats that is over 16 feet.  

If your boat is Federally documented you may win before a magistrate here,
but they will take you to court.  I guarantee it.  While there are only two
South Carolina DNR wardens who patrol Lake Hartwell, they have their quotas.

They are nice guys, but they are very sticky on motors down here.  They say
once you put a motor on anything that goes on water, they have jurisdiction.
That includes jet skis.  If a kid puts a trolling motor on a two log raft,
it must be registered.  Laugh if you will, but it is a PITA here.

Furthermore, what is your citation from the Federal Regulations that say a
sailboat under power is not a power boat?

Can we all assume since you were on the road, that you were towing your new
boat?

Ed K