Sail Question

Some of the hobie guys are adding sails to their yaks,
 If you add one do you then have to register it as a sailboat with DMV?
Tad
 

nope......

Thanks Eric
Tad
 

Yep

Vessel Boat Registration and Information
What Vessels Must be Registered?
Generally, every sail-powered vessel over eight feet in length and every motor-driven vessel (regardless of length) that is not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to registration by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV). The vessel must be located in California.

Vessels previously registered in other states must be registered in California within 120 days of being brought into the state, if it will be used upon California waterways the majority of the time.

The term vessel applies to every description of water-craft used or capable of being used as a means of transportation on water, except the following:

•A seaplane on the water.
•A watercraft specifically designed to operate on a permanently fixed course and guided by a mechanical device that restricts the watercraft's movement to the fixed course.
•A floating structure that is designed and built to be used as a stationary waterborne residential dwelling, which, (a) does not have and is not designed to have a mode of power of its own, (b) is dependent for utilities upon a continuous utility linkage to a source originating on shore, and (c) has a permanent, continuous hookup to a shoreside sewage system.
The following vessels do not have to be registered in California:

•Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles.
•Nonmotorized sailboats that are eight feet or less in length.
•Nonmotorized surfboards propelled by a sail and with a mast that the operator must hold upright.
•A ship’s lifeboat (a dinghy is not a lifeboat).
•Vessels currently and lawfully numbered (registered) by another state that are principally used outside California.
•Vessels brought into California for racing purposes only (exempted only during races and tune-ups).
NOTE: Commercial vessels of five net tons or more, or 30 feet or more in length must be registered (documented) by the U.S. Coast Guard.


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oops guess I am just a rebel. let them give me a ticket

Never really looked that up before but I used to race El Toro's and they had to be 7'11"
Jeez does that mean Hobie's have to be regestered also or change Tubo Fins to Turbo Paddles 

Never really looked that up before but I used to race El Toro's and they had to be 7'11"
Jeez does that mean Hobie's have to be regestered also or change Tubo Fins to Turbo Paddles 

yeah I had a lazer and I swear it was over 8' and I never had it registered. or at least I don't recall doing so. I could see if you have a motor on it. but jeesh its a sailboat how does that fall into the "MV" part of DMV

Thanks for the clarification Mickfish

oops guess I am just a rebel. let them give me a ticket

Sail away Eric , I won't rat you out 

Tad
 

Thanks for the clarification Mickfish

oops guess I am just a rebel. let them give me a ticket

Sail away Eric , I won't rat you out 

Tad
 

whew!

The sail is an option rather than the primary means of propulsion.

The sail is an option rather than the primary means of propulsion.

Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles

When you see the coastguard just stand up so you qualify as a sailboard.   

I hear ya, Mike...  But it seems to me the intent is to have fixed-mast sailboats register, while excluding kayaks, canoes and whatnot.  And while a Hobie Islander is hard to categorise, it's still a kayak underneath all those expensive accesories.

   Shhhhhh,    " THEY "  might here you...   next thing you know there will be a bill introduced.

I just spoke to a kayak shop in sacto and if you wanted to purchase an AI, they would fill out the DMV paperwork for you.  He also said that a couple of his customers were busted at Berryessa and various lakes. The standard hobie sails will be less scrutinized because of the smaller size and the officer could cite you if he knew enough about the rules.  As for placing the stickers on the exterior, it's expected but he mentioned that you should have it with you at least.  It's definitely open to interpretation but the key might be if you're only using your sail as the primary source when questioned.

I'll follow Eric's lead and probably won't register my sail.  I'll treat it like a front license plate and will deal with it when cited.