They can confiscate your boat for any number of reasons if they think you're being an idiot or a dick.
There are usually 3 levels of law enforcement: Harbor Patrol, local Police department, and US Coast Guard, and they work together. If the think they're going to have to drag your sunken boat out of the harbor, fish your drowned ass out of the water, or the yachties in port are complaining that your boat stinks and is spoiling the view, you can expect to get hassled with safety inspections, asked to move your boat regularly, watched through binoculars etc. until you get the message that you're not welcome. If that doesn't work, there are fines, and if you don't pay them then they can confiscate your boat.
Honestly they've got a lot of right on their side. More than one idiot with a boat he can't handle or doesn't know how to anchor properly has come sweeping through and anchorage destroying boats as he goes.
Also, if you're going international you need to know that if Customs or Coast Guard find even one illegal seed, that's enough evidence for them to confiscate your boat for trafficing, and there is no way to challenge it.
I understand wanting the big boat, but they cost a lot more in all ways (dock space charges by the foot, they require bigger anchors, chains etc.) plus they are a LOT harder to learn to control. Also I've known guys who took free sailboats and lived on them while they fixed them up and then sold them for $1500.
I'm just saying if you get the small sailboat for a season until you can handle it well and have learned the basic rules of the game, you will never regret it.
It pays to be as professional as you can. Law enforcement and the other boaters will judge you by how well you handle and maintain your boat. If you look like you know what your doing they'll usually cut you a lot of slack. If you don't they'll see you as a threat and find a way to shut you down. Kinda like riding trains or squatting, huh?
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