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Random Quote: You need to be patiant thats why they call it FISHING not CATCHING...
I've been boating for many years , never been boarded (been boarded on a couple of charters) my new boat(used) is a YELLOW FIN 32 with a bright yellow hull draws attention to it I'm wondering if I'll be more likely to be checked even with the safety inspection sticker on the boat
basically my question is are boats such as YF , Intrepid,Fountain,Venture , SeeVea etc---- more likely to get checked kind of like the guy on the highway thats driving the same speed as everyone else but gets pulled over because he's driving the sports car
no doubt there is profiling on our chunk of water. I've watched the DEC boats do end runs around all the pro looking boats just to check out the ugly painted low budget boats. Unfair? I guess so, but I know it happens.
I have been stopped and checked on every boat I own from a 12' alumacraft to a 34' console boat. I don't think you will have to worry about a greater chance of on water checks but you may get pulled over while trailering due to boat thefts (especially if you live in FL)...we have with the 34'. But to answer your underlying purpose for this thread...no you should not take the risk of bringing back a stash of illegals...or illegal fish.
I have been stopped and checked on every boat I own from a 12' alumacraft to a 34' console boat. I don't think you will have to worry about a greater chance of on water checks but you may get pulled over while trailering due to boat thefts (especially if you live in FL)...we have with the 34'. But to answer your underlying purpose for this thread...no you should not take the risk of bringing back a stash of illegals...or illegal fish.
I'm not really worried about getting checked , I have a CG auxiliary do the safety check in the spring before I even take the boat out , I carry more safety equipment then most and paperwork is all in order , was just curious to get thoughts from others
I'm in NJ and don't trailer very much , boat is lift kept , I was really just asking about in water checks , I don't keep anything illegal(or transport anything illegal LOL)
interesting point about the boat thefts
Bright colors and fast boats attract more USCG attention because they are more often than not the problem people. That is life - just ask Tiger why he didn't go for the fat sedate ones.
Very transient boats get boarded more IME because in part a lot of the early and late motoring. Especially if you have a course that may seem suspicious. You definitely can get a little more AG in more unfamiliar areas you don't know well and you're not known. Sometimes it's just the boat itself, like a large multi-million dollar boat in a area prominent with 18' to 40' let's say. From what I've expierenced yachts and sportfishes tend to get boarded the most not performance boats, lot more hiding spots on yachts/convertibles.
__________________ "The stone that the builder refuse Will always be the head cornerstone"
Oh hell yeah. I have seen the CG and police make a bee line toward me and blow right past other targets. For example a 20' bow rider with like 8 people on board but they come after me when its just me and my wife on my Scarab.
Like only go-fast style boats would be hiding drugs, weapons, migrants or terrorists. Pisses me off sometimes. Its like I have to anticipate at least 30 mins of my day will be wasted every time I take the boat out.
Don't waste your time and mark up your nice boat with a BS safety sticker. They can't see that from across the water anyway and its not like they are going to abort the stop at the last second once they see it.
Ive always got pulled over in my boats in NE FL. If it looks like its worth less than $60k your a** is grass. When I had my 14 stumpknocker I got pulled everytime I went out fishing, they always would think I didnt have the right equipment. After a few times of that, I made them start working for it. I just would floor my 25hp Suzuki soon as I saw their boat turn and it would take them 4 miles or so to catch me. All they would say then is Damn thats a fast 14' boat. My 18 Wellcraft would get pulled and my 23 Seacraft but always just warnings. They can't catch my 16 Actioncraft! Commercial at night they think your running drugs, they are all over you.
I would imagine that the chances of being pulled are directly related to the number of bikinis being displayed above deck, regardless of the type of boat. I don't have any proof, just male intuition.
I got a Coast Guard Auxilary inspection sticker for my last boat, and never got pulled again in that vessel.
The easiest way to get boarded is to have six gorgeous girls in bikinis drinking beer and beer funnels in the rocket launchers. Typically, we get boarded less running fast boats.
I would imagine that the chances of being pulled are directly related to the number of bikinis being displayed above deck, regardless of the type of boat. I don't have any proof, just male intuition.
I got a Coast Guard Auxilary inspection sticker for my last boat, and never got pulled again in that vessel.
You are correct about the bikini's. Down here they are known as the "thong patrol". These are the young 20 something CG officers running around in the 30+ foot twin and triple Verado powered RIB that we pay for.
The Bikini's will take precedence over any other potential target. I have had this problem in the past and have taken action with the commanding officer at the local base.
I have had the stickers, they don't do shit around here. If they want to stop you they will and nothing short of being on a law enforcement vessel will change their minds.
You are correct about the bikini's. Down here they are known as the "thong patrol". These are the young 20 something CG officers running around in the 30+ foot twin and triple Verado powered RIB that we pay for.
The Bikini's will take precedence over any other potential target. I have had this problem in the past and have taken action with the commanding officer at the local base.
I have had the stickers, they don't do shit around here. If they want to stop you they will and nothing short of being on a law enforcement vessel will change their minds.
Couldn't agree with you more. I take the Intrepid out fairly often and just putz around in the ocean. I watch the big orange 3 Verado RIB come flying around Port Everglades all the time, get stopped maybe 1 out of every 6 times. They seem to LOVE to go poke around in the cabin and just mess shit up. Just got to remember to keep your cool and to be polite, or they can and WILL make your boating day end, and your life a living hell.
No doubt, as with everything else in the good ole USA, it’s all about $$$$$$$$$$
I used to fish in the Keys often on a beat up old john boat (everything was to the letter of the law by the way). I got stopped almost every time. I never once saw FWC or CG board a gleaming $200k+ CC or sportfish which were all around us.
If you appear to be rich and powerful there is much less chance of getting stopped.
We were anchored in the bay at Grand Isle with my nephew and his family with his 30' Pro-Line and my two Jet Skies just swimming and relaxing when he got boarded by the CG. Three of them were inspecting his boat and said they were going to board the Jet Ski next. I said that I hoped it was not going to be all three of them at once. Needless to say, even though he had extra fire extinguishers, they found an old one that was partially discharged and cited him for it. I guess they were happy then, they never did check the Jet Ski.
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2010 Tidewater 216 CC
Honda BF225
Venture AL trailer
Cars are different. A boat can be stopped for a safety check although Va is starting to do "Safety Checkpoints" to avoid DUI checkpoint legalities that can be bypassed.
Yes to the OP, thier limits were removed under homeland security. Amendment #4 has been bypassed at this time.
Do certain boats get bordered more than others 
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