Moving to Boston advice?

[searayman300]

Hi To all the Boston and Massachusetts Searay owners.

As of last week I lost my job. I'm trying to get a job in the Boston area at our sister site in Waltham and need the low down on Boston marinas and owning a boat in Massachusetts. I'm currently in south NJ.

What should I expect for Slip costs in a medium level marina?
Any recommendations of marinas to look at?
Does the state have any luxury tax on boats?
Anyone know if i have to pay the Mass state tax to register it if I'm moving from a different state to which I already paid the tax?
Are their any pitfalls or surprises i should be aware of??
All advice is welcome and appreciated.

Of course this is all assuming I can even keep my boat. I'm trying to be optimistic. It is amazing how fast ones life can go from being almost perfect to a total disaster!:smt089

Much thanks guys!
mark

 

[JV II]

What should I expect for Slip costs in a medium level marina?

$160/ft in the harbor, slightly less in Hingham or Quincy

Any recommendations of marinas to look at?.

Constitution Marina. www.constitutionmarina.com. Marina Bay in Quincy www.marinabayboaton.com. Stay clear of Shipyard Quarters

Does the state have any luxury tax on boats?

No, an annual excise tax. Mine is $185. I am federally documented.

Anyone know if i have to pay the Mass state tax to register it if I'm moving from a different state to which I already paid the tax?

Yes, the excise tax

Are their any pitfalls or surprises i should be aware of??

No, unless you are a gun owner. It is a great boating city. I don't know what might be the consequences if you register the boat with the town vs. having it federally documented, if any. Best luck to you

 

[88dancer300]

Mark, I am 10 miles north of Boston on the North shore. Boating is excelent. About half way between Cape Cod and Maine. Slips in this area are $114.00 to $160.00 per foot. Check out Liberty Marina in Danvers mass, Bevely Port Marina in Beverly, Danversport Marina in Danvers, Cape Anne Marina in Glouchester Ma.

 

[charlg]

Another option, since you may be working in Waltham, is to slip on the Charles River. I am at the Newton Yacht Club (which has reduced the initiation fee for 2010), and there is the Watertown Yacht Club accross the River from us. Both of those are very close to Waltham. There are other Clubs further down the River, but they have very little parking for cars.

 

[pxhil]

Mark,
Two options to consider. North of Boston look at Bunky's Marina in Danvers. It is next to Danversport YC but is $90 a foot and very well run. Near Waltham there is Newton YC and Watertown YC, both great clubs and both have space. They are about 4 miles up river from the harbor but the rates are extremly low even with club dues and initiation.
If you want more info about WYC let me know as I am a member.
Paul

 

[Henry Boyd]

There are two drawbacks to the Danvers marinas - two drawbridges! We have friends who had a slip at Danversport Yacht Club one season. The place is well run with pretty good amenities, but the drawbridges can be a pain in the behind. One is a railroad bridge, and unlike highway bridges, trains are not stopped to allow the bridge to open. Boaters have to wait until the trains have passed, or will not arrive while the bridge is open.

Henry

 

[drob]

JV, you pay an excise tax even though you are documented? Somehow we don't.

 

[searayman300]

Thanks Guys great info. Question about this excise tax... it is $25 per 1K of valuation. The valuation is determined by the tables listing length and age correct?
So based on the tables a 2006 34.5 foot sundancer should be valued at $12300 Correct? thus the tax would be $307.5. So JVII how do you pay $185 cuz you are fed documented?

 

[JV II]

JV, you pay an excise tax even though you are documented? Somehow we don't.

I just opened my bill today. $185 to the city of Boston. They valued my boat at $18,500. The same tax bill I get for my car and motorcycle. Excise tax. Tax on personal property. Punishment for being successful, stimulating the economy, and rewarding yourself for your efforts.

 

[Jack F]

I just opened my bill today. $185 to the city of Boston. They valued my boat at $18,500. The same tax bill I get for my car and motorcycle. Excise tax. Tax on personal property. Punishment for being successful, stimulating the economy, and rewarding yourself for your efforts.

I like the personal property tax :smt009

 

[drob]

My previous boat wasn't documented, it was registered and we had to pay excise tax. Been two years and I haven't gotten a bill on this boat, this one is documented. Maybe I should keep my mouth and keyboard shut.

 

[digitalgiga]

Yeah, my cousin actually moved out here from Florida and wondered the same thing about the taxes. I never owned a boat before i just rented, but he ended up having to pay the excise tax and thats about it. It was still annoying, but not as bad as more expensive taxes.

 

[ChuckW]

The sales is a "possible" issue if you follow the letter of the law. If you by a boat in one state (say FL) and paid 5% sales tax on it, then you moved it to MA where we now have 6.25% sales tax, you would owe MA 1.25% tax. Otherwise if the state in which you paid sales tax has the same or higher rate as the one you are moving it to, you owe no sales tax. :wow:

They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing.

 

[JV II]

The sales is a "possible" issue if you follow the letter of the law. If you by a boat in one state (say FL) and paid 5% sales tax on it, then you moved it to MA where we now have 6.25% sales tax, you would owe MA 1.25% tax. Otherwise if the state in which you paid sales tax has the same or higher rate as the one you are moving it to, you owe no sales tax. :wow:

They don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing.

The state should give you a rebate if you paid more than our sales tax. Good luck with that.

 

[molding1]

May want to check out OHYC E Boston. Working folks club. Nice location and while you may be in a rental slip first couple of years, we rarely have anyone on a mooring. Fees are low.

Ray