California: Have to register float tube with trolling motor?

I just came across this and am a bit stunned...but apparently ANY water craft in California, no matter how small, has to be registered with the DMV if it has a motor including a trolling motor.

Questions:
1. Am I reading this correctly?
2. And anyone does this who cares to comment on how the process went with a float tube?
3. If you don't do it and get 'caught' whether it is in an ocean bay or lake, what happens?

Thanks in advance for any insight.

I'm pretty sure if you have a trolling motor you have to register with the DMV and get a CF #. I'd check the DMV website.

It is true wish I had more info on this but I have not gone through this process....yet.

I guess not many others have done this? I had a mo tor for years on a Sea Eagle and never knew that I needed to register. No lakes have ever given me trouble about it so this is something new.

Any artificially powered watercraft is subject to the whims of the DMV. The hard part to getting the CF number is giving them a "VIN" to connect the CF number to. Some tubes do not have a serial number/identification number, but from what I see, all the newer ones have a number on the tube somewhere.

It may not be regularly enforced, but do you want to risk it?

kin wrote:Any artificially powered watercraft is subject to the whims of the DMV. The hard part to getting the CF number is giving them a "VIN" to connect the CF number to. Some tubes do not have a serial number/identification number, but from what I see, all the newer ones have a number on the tube somewhere.

It may not be regularly enforced, but do you want to risk it?

Thanks for the info we need to look up the penilty for this violation. Not that I want to risk it LOL but just wondering.

This is relevant to me because I am looking to motorized a few float tubes.... The problem is that I have one motor that will go onto different tubes. Does that mean EACH tube has to be registered and paid for? Over a few years, the cost of registration can easily outpace the cost of the tubes themselves. This is a bit more complicated than I first understood.

Ok not that this is good advice but I heard once front an OC Sheirf I just register one and move the License number over to the other boat I am using. We never check. Those where his words right outside the CGS in Newport. Again I am saying this might not be good advice but he said it not me LOL.

Funny you mentioned that. I actually thought about that too because there is no serial number of float tubes. I think that in this case, this falls more in the category of the 'spirit of the law' rather than the 'letter of the law.' An analogy could be the speed limit. Speed limit could be 65 but one can drive right behind the highway patrol at 70 and they are fine.

Yes you do. Was stopped by DFG and was told that if using a motor it must be registered. My colorado has a serial number imprinted on it. Went to DVM and they said it needs regis. and hull numbers. I think its about 80 bucks for two years. I get questioned several times if registration is needed.

Good to know it's true most tubes maybe older and not made for Trolling Motors don't have hull numbers. On the other hand the hybrids and new tubes that can have motors attached all have or should have hull numbers. I think the right thing to do is Register your tubes but some might be able to get away with a little fudging of the rules. Don't take me at my word the Law is the Law.

bobschultz wrote:Yes you do. Was stopped by DFG and was told that if using a motor it must be registered. My colorado has a serial number imprinted on it. Went to DVM and they said it needs regis. and hull numbers. I think its about 80 bucks for two years. I get questioned several times if registration is needed.

Bob, do you know what happens with tubes or vessells that do not have numbers? Thanks.