Buying A Documented Vessel

Rich Stidger · Aug 31, 2017

Yes I have done this myself twice, and it is quite easy. I can't quote the current procedure, but it is not difficult.

Roland5048 · Aug 31, 2017

Every year the NVDC will mail a notice of renewal. You go online to renew and pay a $26 renewal fee. It used to be free. They then send you a new documentation paper. DO NOT fall for any third party company offering to do this for an outrageous fee.

Kings Gambit · Aug 31, 2017

jviss said:
Has anyone here done the paperwork for this themselves? My understanding is that all that I need is the Certificate of Documentation with the back signed by all the owners listed on the front, notarized, with my name as the purchaser, and to submit a copy of this with the $8 fee to the NVDC (National Vessel Documentation Center). I keep the original on-board, and it remains valid. Is this correct?

Thanks,

jv

I don't think you submit a copy; the original---better check on that. The Center will issue you a new certificate if there are no liens or mortgages against the title of the boat you are buying. If there are, then they have to be cleared b/f you get the new certificate. The services that do documentations take care of it if there are complications; they do a title search on the vessel. Yes--it's easy

; except when it isn't.

dlochner · Aug 31, 2017

jviss said:
2. Can this also include a change of hailing port, at the same time as transfer?

Yes

jviss said:
3. Can this be done online?

The forms and procedures are online. Most of the answers to your questions can be found here: National Vessel Documentation Center

Commercial documentation services (the real ones that banks use, not the scammer) enclose a post card with the NVDC will stamp and send to the new owner. This serves as evidence that the documentation has been filed. The post card says something like the documentation for the vessel has been submitted and received.

Assuming there is no need for a title search, then yes you can do this yourself. A decade ago I refinanced a boat and deleted the ex's name from the title, did the paperwork myself.

Kings Gambit · Aug 31, 2017

I bought my documented P-30 from friends; so, no hay problema, right? Sent in the original documentation to Center for transfer--volià--there's a lien from a creditor who had been paid off, but who had neglected to remove the lien on my friend's boat. My friend didn't know. So now what?-- I had already paid for the boat, but the CG would not issue the Certificate until the lien was removed. So, my friend had to track down the entity that had neglected to remove the lien and get it removed, so we could get title to das boot. If you're buying from a stranger--someone who doesn't give a s*** after it's sold, and there is a problem--whaddaya gonna do? Like I said-- it's easy unless it isn't.

dlochner · Aug 31, 2017

jviss said:
Will the NVDC tell me the lien status? I'd call them now, but they don't take calls in Thursdays.

I don't think they will "just tell you." You will need to order an Abstract of Title, much like the abstract of a house title. There is a fee for this.

jeepbluetj · Aug 31, 2017

Also get some sort of bill of sale- you may need to prove the selling price to the tax authorities (I had to have it for that purpose, the documentation sign over wasn't what they wanted)

uncledom · Aug 31, 2017

JV you may be indemnified but you can't move the boat until the new certificate arrives. I had an issue with one vessel that I was trying to register in NJ as the DMV wanted a document from the lien holder showing the debt was paid. The USCG documentation showed the lien satisfied but the DMV wasn't budging until I said I would just register it in another state and then they took the check. On another boat the USCG would not document the vessel, which needs to be done for the bank if there is a note on it, until it was deleted from the Canadian registry database. It's always something. (Rosana Dana)

Gunni · Aug 31, 2017

You may not be registering it but you may owe a sales tax to the Commonwealth. And the states typically track documented vessels in state waters so there will some kind of reporting required.

Ken Cross · Aug 31, 2017

Do it yourself?
I went through an escrow company and they closed up shop halfway through. It took more than 6 months and lots of paperwork to get my title, and I paid cash. I think I'd have been much better off doing it myself.

Ken

jssailem · Sep 1, 2017

JV... Bougth my boat from a charity.. They had sold it to a guy who returned it but had started (not finished) the documentation. Took the charity 6 weeks to resolve.
That said I called the NVDC. Spoke with two great people. Learned about the previous issue from them and enough details to unravel the issue and get it resolved. It is not a difficult process if you listen and follow the paperwork the NVDC requests. I spoke to the previous buyer and he confirmed all the issues. Helped to sign the papers that he had not completed. Once done the NVDC had what they needed and my paperwork arrived.
A plus1 on the don't move the boat till you get the papers in hand. It puts a boarding inspection in a whole new light. Had to keep my boat in Seattle for 3 months. Fortunately at the cost of the seller.
I would definitely do the work myself. I changed the name and the port all at the same time. One set of paperwork.

Buying A Documented Vessel

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