Boat dilemma

[lukemillar]

Ok, the law maybe different in NZ, I don't know for sure, but I just thought I would get some opinions from the .org :)

There is this little tinny boat sitting behind my place next to a boat ramp. It has been there since I moved in (about a year ago) and my landlord (who was living in the property prior) said that it belongs to someone who used to rent another house in the street, but has sinced moved on and left it. He also said that he hasn't seen it move since the guy moved out a year or so earlier.

So, I'd really like to use/claim this boat. It has been sitting on public property for over 2 years and hasn't moved. I don't own it and so far my attempts to find the owner has turned up nothing. What is the legal standpoint here? I don't own the boat, but given the time period, it is safe to say it has been dumped. How can I go about claiming it?

I would need to buy an outboard for it, and I don't want to have to shell out $1k+ on one, only to find out I have stolen the boat! I would also need to buy a trailer which also adds to the cost

This is a similar boat to give you an idea:

http://www.fmstrailers.com.au/images/1000kg%20offroad%20tinny%20trailer%203.jpg

and here is the location (you can see the boat next to the white one which has also sat there for years!) The path, boat ramp and rocks where the boats sit are all public areas.

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_FIi0yJZuucM/SelwYts8JBI/AAAAAAAACcg/5JyWQTCbPXc/s1024/DSC_0039_2.JPG


Any thoughts would be much appreciated!

Thanks
Luke :)

[davepreston]

well i know if you find lost property in the uk and hand it into the police they keep it for a while and if no one claims it you can have the item , this may work for you

[lukemillar]

well i know if you find lost property in the uk and hand it into the police they keep it for a while and if no one claims it you can have the item , this may work for you

Yep - same in NZ. But is it lost? And I can't really go and hand a boat in over the counter! :lol:

[BanannaMan]

In the US only boats which have had petrol powered motors are registered.
Once the boat has been registered it has numbers put on the bow.
These numbers stay with the boat for life.
If it has only been used with an electric motor or paddles/oars there is no record of it's serial number anywhere and could be registered as a "powered boat" by anyone. Unless it had been reported stolen..... not likely if it's been there that long.

In the US no trailer and no numbers means no records, so there would be no paper work on the boat and you could say you've just bought it and are going to register it.
And if it did happen came up stolen you could say you don't know the seller as no paperwork or records would have had to be involved.

Not sure the laws there.

[Viney]

Ask the local government offical or the police where you stand.

[Dicky Ticker]

DP was almost right In the UK if you inform the police that you have found something you don't need to "Hand it in" You can inform them you have it, retain it but not make use of it for six months,while they or yourself have make a reasonable attempt to find the owner.
Failing to do this is LARCENY BY FINDING. What the law is in NZ????? take advice from the local authorities or find out the law concerning "Finding"

[Mr Speirs]

I'd just use it if I were you. Stick a motor on it, if someone comes and says 'Oi that my boat' just give it back to them and claim ignorance.
:)

[punyXpress]

. . . but make sure you keep the motor!

[lukemillar]

I'd just use it if I were you. Stick a motor on it, if someone comes and says 'Oi that my boat' just give it back to them and claim ignorance.
:)

Haha, that's what most of my kiwi friends tell me! I'm going into the police today to keep it above board(pun intended) :wink:

Bill - no numbers on this one, so I assume it has only been used with oars! However, looking at other boats, it seems only those with fixed motors are numbered :scratch:

Cheers for the replies
Luke

[lukemillar]

Ok, just in case anyone was anxiously awaiting the outcome of this... :wink:

I tracked the owner down! Had a meeting with the landlord to renew our tenancy and they brought up the boat. Said it belong to a guy who moved out 4 years ago and he gave it to the owner of next door. She has also since moved out and rents the place so she said I could take it. :smt026

Now I just need an outboard....

Does anyone know how you decide what power output motor you need for a given sized boat? :?:

[the_lone_wolf]

Does anyone know how you decide what power output motor you need for a given sized boat? :?:

More is better...


http://www.outboardmotoroilblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/verado-mercury-outboard-engine.jpg


Two of them should do it....

;)

[Drew Carey]

Could you mount an SV engine or summin to it? :D SV Boat Project. Wooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

[5hort5]

In Devon if a tender (small boat) breaks loose and drifts down the river or is found drifting it is put up on the beach and the word put out about it. If no one claims it after a month or two then it's yours. Not sure how legal this is but that's the way the locals do it in a certain town in Devon.

[Red Herring]

Now I just need an outboard....

Does anyone know how you decide what power output motor you need for a given sized boat? :?:

How big a skier do you want to pull?:D

[lukemillar]

How big a skier do you want to pull?:D

Neither! This is just for me to cruise round the bays so I can fish and dive from it. :)

[keith_d]

Neither! This is just for me to cruise round the bays so I can fish and dive from it. :)

If you're only going inshore buy something small, secondhand and seriously scruffy. Then strip it down and give it a thorough overhaul, but keep the crappy appearance.

That way you can lend it to mates and neighbours without worrying that they'll ruin your shiny new 50HP yamaha, and even if they do leave it on a public mooring nobody will think about stealing it.

Just my thoughts,

Keith.

[Specialone]

20 hp outboard would move that small boat around easily, any bigger and it will probably be too heavy.

[600+]

All boats have a spec and based on that you have a maximum hp of outboard you can put on them.

Speak to the manufacturer and they should advise best! If you put a bigger engine the "mirror" as it is called will break off the boat and you will be with the fishes......or crocs in your case maybe :)

[lukemillar]

s......or crocs in your case maybe :)

:lol: wrong side of the Tasman!

Thanks for the info, I'll have a look tomorrow!

[CheGuevara]

More is better...


http://www.outboardmotoroilblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/verado-mercury-outboard-engine.jpg


Two of them should do it....

;)

:smt023 Indeed. Used to drive around a boat with close to twice that:

http://i24.photobucket.com/albums/c22/bigfastyellow/OBSR/DSC_0247Medium.jpg

[RichT]

If it's just for pootling about fairly close to shore, then I'd imagine a 10 or 20hp will be more than enough.

+1 to keith_d's comments as well.

[Dicky Ticker]

When you look for an engine consider the following----
Do you want 2stroke or 4stroke
Forward and reverse
Clutch tickover[Troll speed]
Fitting for remote controls
Auxilary tank fitting
Charging facility


IMHO and having used them for years the HONDA 4stroke 10hp has proved a very reliable engine and with the auxilary tank is good for a days fishing or fun without pushing the boat to its limits.A basic secondhand unit should fit your needs
One little tip I would give you is buy a cheapy 2-4hp 2 stroke,even an old seagull as a back-up just incase your main engine plays up.

[keith_d]

One little tip I would give you is buy a cheapy 2-4hp 2 stroke,even an old seagull as a back-up just incase your main engine plays up.

There are some boats out there which spend more time running with the little outboard clamped to the transom....

[Mr Speirs]

Do it Ace Ventura Style

6309

[Dicky Ticker]

Old seagulls are so basic even a muppet can repair them and can be bought round here for a pitance.I used mine if pottering around or trailing feathers for mackerel,always started-----eventually, and seemed to run forever on the tiny fuel tank.
I kept it for the inflateable dinghy

[lukemillar]

IMHO and having used them for years the HONDA 4stroke 10hp has proved a very reliable engine and with the auxilary tank is good for a days fishing or fun without pushing the boat to its limits.A basic secondhand unit should fit your needs
One little tip I would give you is buy a cheapy 2-4hp 2 stroke,even an old seagull as a back-up just incase your main engine plays up.

I have been looking at short shaft 4T Yam and Honda 15hp's which I think would work pretty nicely. It doesn't have to look like crap, as I probably wouldn't leave it on the boat. However, given where the boat is kept and where I live, removing it isn't a big hassle. Thing is finding the right age for the right price which is proving difficult :(

Do it Ace Ventura Style

6309

:lol: I love that movie!

[Graciepants]

is it wrong i am more concerned with that fact your BBQ is out (well looks it at least) but you still have sausages on the grill?

ps nice boat :D

[lukemillar]

is it wrong i am more concerned with that fact your BBQ is out (well looks it at least) but you still have sausages on the grill?

ps nice boat :D

Yep - I was mid-bbq when I took the pic. :D

http://blogs.southflorida.com/citylink_dansweeney/homer-drool.gif