I think the 1991 'Luxury tax' of 10% on boats costing $100,000+ had a major impact not only on the boating industry in the US but on people buying and registering boats in the US Virgin Islands for charter use, hence the move to the BVI's. When governments start to get greedy it can have major impacts, hope the BVI government thinks before it acts.

http://articles.baltimoresun.com/1991-06-09/business/1991160128_1_luxury-tax-yachts-harrison

http://www.wsbradio.com/weblogs/nealz-nuze/2011/jun/30/lesson-yacht-tax/