[GMFL]

You not only need to be concerned about sales tax, but CA also has a Use tax. If keeping your boat in CA after the sale, you may be subject to both.

You are thinking of property tax here. In CA, use tax is what you are supposed to pay for items purchased out of state.

 

[GMFL]

Property tax is due yearly and is about 1%. Sales / use tax is a one off tax due on purchases, and is about 9%, regardless of whether the item is purchased out of state, or in CA.

Why not do some research on the CA tax websites where you might get some ACCURATE info?

EXACTLY! For instance, I only pay 8% sales tax where I live.

Use tax is usually stated and paid on your tax return BTW and is only for out of state purchases. Sales tax on a boat or vehicle, if done privately, is paid based on what YOU state the purchase price is, FWIW. (hint, hint)

 

[GMFL]

Back to the OP's question,

What's to stop you from buying the boat in CA, taking the bill of sale back to HI and just transferring title there? Get your new HI numbers, sticker and slap them on next time you're in CA. Sail it home when you can.