Documentation - Wow! That was easy.

[Roger Long]

December 11, I emailed the applications in pdf format to the vessel documentation center and faxed them a credit card authorization. Today, December 18, the document arrived in the mail. "Strider" is now a documented vessel.

No more ugly numbers on the bow! Just a big ugly number somewhere inside but I'll smile every time I look at it.

There's really no excuse not to do this if you would like your boat (No, it's a "vessel" if it's documented) documented.

 

[Tim R.]

Oh no Roger, Now your boat can be commandeered by the USCG. Also, the renewal fee is a killer!

I have actually heard someone argue against documentation because of the commandeering thing. I don't even know if that is true. And I bet the CG could take any boat in an emergency documented or not.

Isn't is great not to have to apply those ugly decals?

 

[Lee Coller]

I scanned my renewal as a pdf and sent it to them in an email on the 10th, had the new documentation on the 13th. Quite an improvement from when I bought the boat in 2004, and it took six months to get the documentation.

 

[Roger Long]

Considering what an abysmal failure their fleet modernization and upgrade program is, commandeering a fine vessel like mine isn't as far fetched as it ought to be

I believe that lots of the vessels that got commandeered in WWII ended up with their owners as operators out watching for German subs. If they need a bunch of boats to go out and sail up and down watching for terroists, hell, sign me up. The USCG doesn't have the boats to do it.

Documentation actually cost me less than the two new number decals I would need because I'm going to try to get a better paint job on the green stripe. I'll have to redo the name though but it was peeling off anyway. Anybody know a trick to get those transfer letters to really stick?

 

[Mike G.]

Hi Roger:

I was in the pressure sensitive industry. We used acetone to remove all residual adhesive. Maybe others on this site will advise another way to clean the surface.

One thing to remember is that PS material has a memory if it is curled or bent. Make sure that you do not allow the letters to peel up or pull back when applying. Always bend the transfer tape back away from the letters - at a 90 degree angle or more if possible. The steeper the angle, the less likely the letters will pull back.

Also, remember that PS material is called "Pressure Sensitive" because it requires pressure at application. Make sure that you wipe it down well after application.

Mike

 

[Roger Long]

That probably explains it. I had just had the gelcoat buffed so I thought it was super clean but I forgot about the stuff the rubbing compound might have left behind. Some of the letter corners did come up off the boat as I did the peel, even though I was pulling the film back on itself well over 90 degrees.

 

[Mike G.]

Roger:

One more thing - The PS adhesive has a 24 hour dwell time to "wet out" at room temperature. Don't play around with the area or polish anything for 24 hours after application.

Mike
Mike

 

[windward54]

And for the Doc numbers, take a look at the stainless steel placard sold on this site. looks sharp.

http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.htm?fno=0&group=1108

 

[Rich (P303)]

December 11, I emailed the applications in pdf format to the vessel documentation center and faxed them a credit card authorization. Today, December 18, the document arrived in the mail. "Strider" is now a documented vessel.

No more ugly numbers on the bow! Just a big ugly number somewhere inside but I'll smile every time I look at it.

There's really no excuse not to do this if you would like your boat (No, it's a "vessel" if it's documented) documented.

Congrats...

Yes you are correct... the only hard part is trying to figure out the end amount to send in!

The USCG will send you a a renewal application about one month before it expires. Just send it back in with any changes... you'll get your new documentation in about 1 week. Your re-newel fee is zero! ... And NO Registration fee to the town fee (In Maine... but that will probably change soon), we do however have to pay excise tax (go figure... I thought that was a road thing)! Don't miss the deadline for renewal... or you will have to re-apply.

USCG is the only government agency that is actually helpful, and seems to operate smoothly on the public end!

No ugly letters.

 

[Roger Long]

USCG is the only government agency that is actually helpful, and seems to operate smoothly on the public end!

After over three decades of dealing with the inspections branch, I would more than take issue with that statement. However, I must say that this was the most amazing service I ever got from a government agency. I remember as a pilot waiting weeks and months for stuff like this to come back from the FAA.

 

[ghost]

My previous boat had a Canadian regestered name. If I recall correctly the certificate stated that 10% of the boat was owned by the Queen.

I was always wondering when I'd get a call from "Liz" asking if she could come over and use the boat for a weekend.

 

[Brian D]

Robert, you did it yourself or had some off-line company do it?

 

[Roger Long]

Robert, you did it yourself or had some off-line company do it?

Roger here: I did it myself. It was so easy I can't believe people are getting paid to do it. Most of the time was spent measuring my boat. Interesting, she is 2" shorter and 4" narrower than the published figures.

Some of the speed bumps have been eliminated by the USCG. You no longer have to find an original builder's certificate, title, bill of sale, etc. I tacked on a copy of my Maine registration showing it registered in my name just in case but it didn't say that was necessary. I think they now rely on purjury laws and the statement you sign saying you are entitled to document the vessel.

The forms are all on the web site and it's reasonably user friendly.

 

[Shell]

In NJ you still have to pay the state registration fee and display the registration sticker.
Also, the coast guard has access to a database of registrations. Easy to determine a boat in NY harbor with the registration numbers shown. No numbers more likely to get boarded.

 

[sailaway78]

Documentation

While documentation is in and of itself a wonderful thing, the quagmire of local laws is a joke. Lots of states require registration, even if the boat is documented. Louisiana just passed this, effective Aug. 15 of this year. But from what I understand, they require not only the stupid stickers to be attached, but also the even stupider looking numbers. Somewhere I read that it is against CG regs. to put the numbers on the bow. You might know. A little over a week, after getting the boat home, from doing a bottom job, and painting the hull, I got the sticker in the mail. They must have been watching. Does anyone know for sure, about the numbers being against CG regs. I am going to hate putting that sticker on a brand new paint job, but will really hate it if I have to also apply the damn numbers.

 

[Mike B]

States require registration but if it's fed documented you're supossed to leave the numbers off. MD, DE and NJ won't bother you as long as you have a current state registration sticker on the boat. I place mine on the base of the mast and have cruised right on by the marine plice and coasties with nothing more than a smile and nod from them. As far as the documentation being and advantage. Yes it is, for the banks. This way if you decide to leave US waters without paying the loan they can come repo it any where in the world.

 

[sailingdog]

I had my numbers made up on a copper plate that would normally be used for hot gold foil stamping through a friend's company.

And for the Doc numbers, take a look at the stainless steel placard sold on this site. looks sharp.

http://shop.hunterowners.com/detail.htm?fno=0&group=1108

One point I'd make about some of the boat documentation services. Some do a title search and provide title insurance in the case any liens were missed. If you're in the process of buying a boat that wasn't documented previously, or had the documentation lapse, this is probably a good idea.

As for state registration—some states require that you pay the registration fee. However, states CAN NOT require that you put on state registration numbers. They can require you put on a sticker though.

 

[Benny]

We put the FL registration sticker at the base of the mast. On the dingui we affix it to the transom of the boat. Never had a problem with either. Yes, we registered our dingui as after reviewing the regulations they are pretty clear that any size boat powered by an engine has to be registered and the cost is minimal at $7.50 a year. The painted on numbers also serve as a small deterrent to theft. They won't bother you in the Florida penninsula but go down to the keys or the Dry Tortugas and they will cite you for an infraction. The state exempts the boat if its going to be rowed and recognizes T/T designation as an emergency use lifeboat but if you put a motor on it and your main boat is not on fire or sinking they can get you.

 

[Brian D]

Oops Sorry Roger.

 

[sailingdog]

Some states allow you to not register the dinghy. However, this provision usually means the dinghy has to have a motor of less than 10 HP and must only be used for transportation to and from the boat. Using the dinghy, say for fishing, would be illegal in most states that allow this. The dinghy would be marked with the state's registration number and a suffix of "-1".

However, from what I've seen and read, this doesn't appy to USCG documented vessels, since they have no state registration number, so must register their dinghies as separate motorboats.

We put the FL registration sticker at the base of the mast. On the dingui we affix it to the transom of the boat. Never had a problem with either. Yes, we registered our dingui as after reviewing the regulations they are pretty clear that any size boat powered by an engine has to be registered and the cost is minimal at $7.50 a year. The painted on numbers also serve as a small deterrent to theft. They won't bother you in the Florida penninsula but go down to the keys or the Dry Tortugas and they will cite you for an infraction. The state exempts the boat if its going to be rowed and recognizes T/T designation as an emergency use lifeboat but if you put a motor on it and your main boat is not on fire or sinking they can get you.