Went to AAA on 9/4 without the boat in tow, hoping I wouldn't be asked for the trailer inspection as my friend had told me he side-stepped successfully.
I was not able to side step the trailer inspection. I got the branch supervisor. At least I know my paperwork is properly in order. Paid up on the registration but still needed the trailer to be inspected, which I could delay til a later date.
So today I went to a different location closer to work. Took the boat for the trailer's inspection. Not too long of a wait. They inspect it and can't find the VIN. So they say it's either under the boat or it was a sticker that fell off long ago. If it fell off, then I should go to CHP to have them create a new VIN.
So I called CHP in the parking lot, and they told me to go to the DMV first because AAA doesn't know what they're talking about. Well, I assumed CHP doesn't know what it's talking about because it's...CHP.
I double checked inside AAA to see what they thought of CHP's remark, they said just go in person and they will see the paperwork. So I did as it was 10 minutes down the road, and if I was successful then I only needed to trailer the boat once for this.
I get there and the same guy over the phone is there to answer my questions. He is nice, and shows me the document I'm missing. He says that I need the VIN inspection at the DMV, and then I need to make an appointment after that to go to the closest CHP office to my residence, not this one.
So what I'm hearing is that I am not finishing the registration on the trailer for a while. I will avoid late fees because I paid already, but what a f@cking runaround.
I was at the San Juan Capistrano CHP office. I was so close to Dana Harbor I could taste it, but I didn't have rods.
So now I have it in my head that I'm launching Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday out of Dana. 3-4 trips for registration will require 3-4 trips of fishing before registration. Only fair.
I never heard of a trailer inspection... and have never had one on any boat that I ever purchased, so I'm a little curious right now.