Definition

In our CC&R's Lot is defined as "Lot shall mean and refer to any plat of land shown upon any recorded subdivision map of the property with the exception of the Common Area." Our new BOD states that this only means what is in plain view from the street. So if you have something in your backyard or in the garage but is in violation as long as its not in plain view is ok. Would that be the correct way to interpret this?

Simple terms of what it means: You own the lot and the house it sits on everything else OUTSIDE that lot is common property and controlled by the HOA. Essentially, you own the House and the land under it. Most lots are the size of the land under the house and may include driveway/sidewalk area around the home.
The "common area" mostly is considered the "Grassy area" around the home (including back yard) and could mean the streets if they are private. The common areas are what the HOA controls and the CC&R's apply to. Basically, common area is owned by ALL the homeowners and your allowed "exclusive use" of a certain area around your home. This also means that a member of the HOA can't be denied access to anyone's "yard" since you are all part owners of that property. Can't put up no trespassing signs and may not be allowed to lock your gate access to the back yard. A HOA can request that gates be unopen at times of maintenance such as landscaping or repairs.
Keeping things out of clear view from the street may be simplifying things a little too much. The board is saying that they can issue a fine/violation if things can be seen from the street that are not uniform to the rest of the HOA property. Things such as garbage, company trucks, RV's, boats, or other such items that can be considered a "nuisance" to some. (I DID NOT SAY I AGREED THEY WERE NUISANCES!) If the rules determine such items are violations, the HOA can send notices. Our rules dictate that you can't have anything but WHITE shades in the front windows of the homes!
There are upsides and downsides to this situation. In our HOA, the property around the homes are so miniscule that owning the land out right was not worth it. If one person didn't mow their lawn, it would stick out like a sore thumb. Hence, why the HOA was formed to pay for landscaping year round. Owning the property around the home just doesn't add any additional value to our homes. If anything, it brought it down. By owning the land altogether, it keeps the land value up. That may not always be the case in every HOA. So each HOA is different.

If the Covenant states cannot store a boat on tthe Lot for no more than 48 hours and you keep it in your garage and the garage door is open majority of the time and the Boat is visible would that be ok.

BobA-- Let's see if we can help with your problem about STORING of your boat- Not the issue of how your home looks with the garage dr opened or closed..... A quick note about that-- If your Restrictions do not state the gargage dr must be closed EXCEPT for when entering or exiting then The BOD doesn;t have the authority to send you a letter telling you to keep it closed....

Storing of your boat..... If the CC&R's state NO STORING on your lot- then it means that..No storing..By keeping it your garage it is STORING and not allowed.....Seen or unseen it seems to me they do not allow for it to be physically on YOUR property...for more than 48 hours...Does your HOA have a central storage area for these "prohibited" items ???? LindaC

Bob-- Is there any way you can scan and send the group the actual wording of your CC&R that deals with the verbage about storing of the boat or vehicles on your Lot??? And let's look at it this way... before the structure was built it was a LOT....Like our wording states- may not be parked,maintained or stored on the residential lot...... Even if it's in the garage it is still on the LOT......I know you understand what I am saying but your BOD may be looking at it differently for self serving reasons.... I would have to say that all of you are in violation of the CC& R with regards to storage on the LOT.....LindaC

Bob-- What a gray area of wording.....We have had this discussion many a time at out HOA...and we have an opinion given that because it states on the lot it is meant to infer including inside a structure which is upon the lot--- We are in the process of obtaining a more clear and concise ruling thru mediation at DPBR in Florida...You should be seeking an opinion from your HOA Attorney ,if you have one, for a more clear and concise wording of this Covenant.... As it is written it is open for different interpretations as I read it.....Sorry I could not be of more help to you with this..... Linda C

Be careful on a lawsuit unless it is taken a "class action". Suing your HOA is suing yourself and your neighbors. Please avoid taking the court route if all possible. It turns into a vicious circle that is nearly impossible to recover from on all sides.
If the majority doesn't like a rule, you have the option of rewriting or ammending your rules. A much better way of resolving the issue than suing. It take more effort and time but it really is the best option to pursue.