[quote=randii]Different states have different rules... it complicates things going multi-state and risks taking things to a federal level of enforcement if stickiness ensues. I'm willing to bend state laws a little, but not interstate. Nuh-uh.
I strongly recommend getting it all managed in the state of origin, as much as possible, and then checking again with your own state once you get it home. Research as much as you can in advance, but in the end, buying older, odder things has a few risks... and keeping inside a budget can
I've acquired multiple motorcycles out-of-state and brought them into California to work through registration on my own schedule... in all cases, I transported them back home on my own trailer. If the trailer on the ground is properly registered, it simplifies transport with the constabulary and road-tax folks, and also reduces excitement induced by riding/driving/towing unknown mechanical bits home. Any chance you can rent/borrow/buy a flatbed trailer to retrieve the soon-to-be-yours boat and trailer? A little blocking under the trailer and strapping to secure the load and you'll reduce many of the unknowns...
Once you do get it home, if needed, it is pretty simple to fabricate/remanufacture a trailer, and most older trailers can benefit from upgraded/renewed axles, brakes, springs, tongue, and coupler. Everyone has to set their own level of comfort with meeting their interpretation of local laws. $500 is a drop in the bucket for the size boat I recall you seeking, and it would be truly trivial to run that up in trailer parts/repairs and be able to confidently/truthfully say that you home-built/rebuilt the trailer, with receipts to match.
Randii[/quote]
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