Recreational Boaters Association of Washington (RBAW)

H

hardee

New member
In a different thread I mentioned the advantages of signing up with the RBAW this year. I did it at the SBS in January. Saved enough on my Boat US membership to pay for both RBAW and Boat US.

Though not being a huge "joiner" and also not being terribly politically zealous, it came to my attention that as a Washington state boater I was paying an inordinately large amount of tax on my boat compared to my bosses tax on his airplane. Hmmmmm found this information and this site:

http://www.rbaw.org/

and there was this paragraph:

RBAW and the Watercraft Excise Tax

The State of Washington has unfairly saddled recreational boaters with an excise tax that is not collected in a similar manner from any other “users group.” Annual vessel registration fees include a tax equal to ½ of 1% of the market value of any recreational boat. These taxes are simply absorbed into the general fund of Washington State, and are in no way earmarked for improvements to boating infrastructure.
Other owners of recreational conveyances are not asked to pay a tax based on market value. For example, private aircraft pay a very small flat fee based entirely upon the type of aircraft. Excise taxes for aircraft are generally under $200 per year, and any private helicopter (regardless of value) pays a flat $90 renewal charge. A private helicopter worth $3-million pays a $90 excise tax, while the owner of a $3-million yacht would pay $15,000 annually.


Motorhomes are treated like automobiles, which the excise tax replaced many years ago by a $35 “tab fee”. In a few counties, motorhomes are subject to some transit taxes that do not apply to boats, but even in those cases the owner of a new $700,000 motorhome will never be asked to pay close to the $3,500 it costs to pay the excise tax for a boat.

RBAW advocates repealing the watercraft excise tax in Washington State. Boaters should not be singled out for punitive taxation."
Click to expand...

The two recreational devices mentioned in the article are:

PrivateHelicopter.jpg
BoatPic_ExciseTax.jpg


Thought it worth sharing this and if you feel so inclined, enjoy or participate. It may be worth it.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

SunSet_MystryBay_SleepyC_2009_177.thumb.jpg
 
We are members of RBAW and the Northwestern Boating Council(NBC), and both are great.
The costs are low ,and using the discounts from the merchants that support them ,it pays to belong.
NBC is the one that raised money from several boat clubs to install a flagpole at Blake Island State Park since the State couldn't and wouldn't get it done.
The predecessor of both ,the Puget Sound Interclub bought Sucia Island in the 1956 for $25,000 then donated it to the State to be used for "all yachtsmen". So both these outfits are good Stewards of the boating community.
 
Hi Jim,

I think Deena and I saw you two at Brownsville when you were at a function of one of those organizations. Thanks for the boost.

Harvey
SleepyC :moon
 
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