Boats Under 37 Feet Exempted From Fee

Owners of boats smaller than 37 feet are exempt this year from an unpopular federal fee levied against all recreational boats, state authorities said.

The recreational vessel fee was approved by federal legislators two years ago to help reduce the budget deficit.

“There was such an uproar that the federal government voted to repeal the fee,” a spokeswoman for the state Department of Boating and Waterways said. “There were a lot of people who rebelled and refused to pay at all.”

Owners of boats from 37 to less than 40 feet are required to pay a $50 annual fee, while owners of boats at least 40 feet long will be charged $100. All fees will be eliminated Oct. 1 next year.