BajaNomad

Taking Zodiac inflatable boat with 8hp motor - what to expect

Louise - 11-23-2020 at 10:28 PM

We are planning on spending a bit of time in Baja soon and will be taking our 4-person inflatable boat and an 8hp motor. Is this something that will need to be registered or file some other sort of documentation with the Mexican authorities? Is there a size requirement? We would rather not find out the hard way. Thanks.

gnukid - 11-23-2020 at 10:34 PM

It's supposed t be registered in your home location for example with DMV numbers and stickers and have a Mexican TIP for anything over about 4meters with motor, unless its a tender to a "USCG Documented" yacht.

If its a foldable boat you may just need proof of ownership of the motor.

But, many don't register.

It's a bit difficult to register a boat test days due to COVID, you need bill of sale and mail everything to DMV, can take a while, it's good for 2 years.

JZ - 11-24-2020 at 12:18 AM

Quote: Originally posted by Louise  
We are planning on spending a bit of time in Baja soon and will be taking our 4-person inflatable boat and an 8hp motor. Is this something that will need to be registered or file some other sort of documentation with the Mexican authorities? Is there a size requirement? We would rather not find out the hard way. Thanks.


I'm a Zodiac nerd. On my 3rd boat. Have taken them out to the Sea of Cortez islands for almost 20 years.

You don't need to do any registration with Mexico. Bring your title or registration. Very unlikely anyone will ask to see anything.

So many cool places to explore in Baja.





[Edited on 11-24-2020 by JZ]

JZ - 11-24-2020 at 12:35 PM

Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  


It's a bit difficult to register a boat test days due to COVID, you need bill of sale and mail everything to DMV, can take a while, it's good for 2 years.


DMV is open. My16 just did his driving test.

But you don't even need to go to the DMV, you can register it at AAA. Same for cars, dirt bikes, etc. Super fast.

However, it's going to be very unlikely someone asks for paperwork on a small, 4 person dinghy.


[Edited on 11-24-2020 by JZ]

gnukid - 11-24-2020 at 06:46 PM

Quote: Originally posted by JZ  
Quote: Originally posted by gnukid  


It's a bit difficult to register a boat test days due to COVID, you need bill of sale and mail everything to DMV, can take a while, it's good for 2 years.


DMV is open. My16 just did his driving test.

But you don't even need to go to the DMV, you can register it at AAA. Same for cars, dirt bikes, etc. Super fast.

However, it's going to be very unlikely someone asks for paperwork on a small, 4 person dinghy.


[Edited on 11-24-2020 by JZ]


Can't register boats at AAA, also the other things you said are mostly incorrect, you must register boats and you must have TIP, but whatevs.

jwheel1970 - 11-26-2020 at 09:23 AM

I have a small inflatable and 4hp motor I take down. First time they really gave me grief, they wanted it registered which it is not. I played it that it was for the kids, not a real boat. Now, I carry it down rolled up and out of site, stash the motor, etc. If it was registered, I would carry on-top of my truck and expect no issues.

mtgoat666 - 11-26-2020 at 09:31 AM

In California, Inflatable boats propelled by motors need to be registered.
8-ft exemption only applies to sailboards, sailboats w/o motors

bajarich - 11-26-2020 at 10:10 AM

The TIP is only required for boats 4.5 meters (14' 9") or longer. I have read of people being turned down when they tried to register shorter boats. They used to require a boat permit, but eliminated that several years ago.

I pulled a 14' aluminum boat to Baja from 2003 to 2015 before i swiched to a 10-1/2' inflatable. I always open up my trailer and show them the boat and motor. All they ask for is my fishing license.

The only problem I ever had is when I stored my boat in Baja one year and brought my motor back to the US. When I re-entered the following year they wanted me to pay TIP on the motor. Since I didn't have the boat with me they assumed I was going to sell the motor in Mexico. They told me I needed to have the boat with me. The next year I had the inflatable and they just waved me through.