It's based off of registration...not insurance....isnt it?  You guy's dont even have liability or medical insurance on your boat for your ski'ers and rider's? 

screw that, what aboat other boat or if you hit someone

My insurance only cost me $189 a year (told them it has 200hp) PL+PD.

on my old jet, it was $98 a year and I told them it was a 500hp motor. But the boat didn't go over 50mph

Now that I think about it that covers both boats

i get dinged in orange county for the assessed value of my Ultra. I managed to get the tax reduced the first year i owned it since i was able to prove that i bought it as a bare hull. But by '06 the county assumed the boat was complete and running, which it was, and then re assessed its value.

i think i pay about 280 bucks a year.

so, what if the dealer's out of business or the dealer's your friend?

so, what if the dealer's out of business or the dealer's your friend?

If the dealer reported the sale to Ca Dmv ,they (DMV) report to the individual county tax colletor  so the dealer is out of the loop anyhow , if the dealers is "your friend and wants to lose his/her bonding (neccesary to keep thier doors open and avoid jail ) I suppose they could under report  and "fudge" at the risk of ,tax evasion ,fraud charges , loss of license ,jail time,fines etc etc . Every time you as seller (dealer or not ,put your name/signature  to paper as a private sale or dealer your swearing under penaty of purjury (sp) to whatever .Law enforcement would rather chase down and prosecute those crimes than drug rings , thieves etc IMO (simpler) . Just state and contest the assesed valueif neccesary  and pay what you owe ,you do the next purchaser a favor and do not have to look over your shoulder. I regularly get "cant you just say I paid this..." sorry not worth it Bro Here the charges this is the bottom line . Sorry if this seems harsh ,its just the reality Tom