Every time I've been there to register boats (five times in the last ten years) I have asked about picking some reg. numbers and have been told "NO we can't do that", "we don't have the computer to handle that here", etc. etc. etc. all by the same clerk. I went in with to register my new to me Seacraft, paperwork in hand, same clerk, I figured can't hurt to ask again right? Asked the guy and this time and he says "sure as long as some one elses doesn't have the numbers currently you can have them, what numbers do you want? I'll check right now in the computer" the rest is history
the morale of the story always register your boat on a friday afternoon!