Boat Registration & Numbers - to do or not to do

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Just bought a 1985 Hunter 33 which will be used primarily in the Yucatan, Belize, & Bahamas. It's on the hard right now (north FL), with the old owner's FL Reg numbers still on it. I will be launching it in Dec, then inch my way down to the keys before an anticipated passage in late March. Can anyone advise on the purpose or need for boat Registration in the US. Boat will probably not see American waters for about 2 or 3 yrs once we leave. And, yes, I do want to remain in orthodox legal standing while in the US (next 6/7 mos). Thanks much.Bob

 

[Calif. Ted]

Gonna need valid state registration while in Fl.

and even out of US waters you need to be registered or documented somewhere. Port authorities will want some kind of valid ship's papers almost everywhere.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

Register in another country?

How about registering the boat in another country? Anyone know what the associated process is to be legal while sailing here?many thanksBob

 

[Paul]

All you need........

Is USCG Documentation.No state numbers required until you return.Then you will need the berthed states registration.Having been to foreign countries in a boat all they require is documentation.

 

[Ross]

Bob, Try this:

Liberia has one of the largest ship registries in the world.http://www.liscr.com/

 

[Rick Webb]

You Will Need to Register it in Florida

The purchaser of a new vessel has 30 days in which to apply for registration and title through the county tax collector's office. During this 30-day grace period, the owner is required to have aboard his vessel a bill of sale with proof of the date of purchase. Florida recognizes valid registration certificates and numbers issued to visiting boaters for a period of 90 days. An owner who intends to use his vessel in Florida longer than 90 days must register it with a county tax collector. However, he may retain the out-of-state registration number if he plans to return to his home state within a reasonable period of time.

 

[Benny]

If you want to do it legally register the boat.

A state of Florida registration would be cheaper than a USCG registration. When the boat returns to the US after 2 or 3 years you would not have to go through the hassle of proving that it would be exempt of import taxes and providing proof of ownership documentation. By registering the boat you are also able to insure the vessel in your name.

 

[Bob Pullen HC-33 1981]

thanks to all

Thanks to all!!I will pursue this further with the local USCG office and the county tax collector, for comparative prices and legal requirements. Thanks for pointing me in the right direction(s). I appreciate all your very kind assistance.Bob

 

[sailaway78]

REGISTRATION vs DOCUMENTATION

There are some truths and fallacies in the previous answers. First off, it is not cheaper to register than to document. Documentation is a one time deal, just needs to be renewed each year. Documentation is recognized everywhere, and it is not more recognized than a state registration. Bad news is that most states make you register the boat even if it is documentated. They just can't stand to loose out on that money. In Florida, you will have to register the boat, whether it is documented or not. You can get away with 90 days in Florida without registering a boat there, if you buy a Florida cruising permit. Apparently Florida is more greedy than most other states.

 

[Tim]

In MI...

In Michigan, and I believe elsewhere, if the boat is USCG Documented and you adhere to the requirements (4" block letters for hail port, etc.), you do not need to show MI (et, al) registration numbers on the hull, but you do still need to show the state reg. decal. Similarly, unless you are using the vessel in commercial use, you do not need to adhere to documentation requirements for lettering, number permanently fixed in a conspicuous place, etc if you show state reg numbers & the state decal.My boat is documented (the bank wanted it), but I don't have 4" block letters for the hail port, nor is the hail port even the one shown on the doc papers.Thus, I show MC numbers and the state decal on the bow as required by the state.

 

[sailingseadragon]

BoatUS has nice page explaining

Docuementation vs State Registratonsee link

 

[Benny]

Nice and Easy is correct;

what I meant when I said it was cheaper to register with the state than with the USCG is that the state of Florida will require you to pay a registration fee anyways on top of the USCG fee. Our boat is documented and we still have to get Florida sticker every year.