What are the advantages disadvantages of Coast Guard documentation vrs not. I own a 28.5 Hunter and the boat is presently titled in Florida. Would federal documentation gain me anything with the state fees? Any input would be appreciated.
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Ron Dague
CG Documentation
You won't save any money in Florida by documenting your boat. Florida, as most states do, will require you still pay the annual boat registration fee. You will be able to remove the state registration numbers, since documented boats don't have to display state registration numbers. There are several benefits of documenting a boat, which might or might not be relevant to you. Some foreign ports are more comforatable with a documented boat. I think it might be that they are impressed by sthe Federal document page, versus the less impressive state papers. No real reason, but... and if there is a need to have any liens filed against the boat, the CG documentation provides a national location to record them. Some insurers, finance companies or purchasers might require this, but generally only on larger, more expensive boats. In summary, there is probably no valid reason why you should document your boat. However, if you decide to do it, ask further and I will advise. You can do it youself, rather than paying a "Documentation Service" or attorney to do it for you.
You won't save any money in Florida by documenting your boat. Florida, as most states do, will require you still pay the annual boat registration fee. You will be able to remove the state registration numbers, since documented boats don't have to display state registration numbers. There are several benefits of documenting a boat, which might or might not be relevant to you. Some foreign ports are more comforatable with a documented boat. I think it might be that they are impressed by sthe Federal document page, versus the less impressive state papers. No real reason, but... and if there is a need to have any liens filed against the boat, the CG documentation provides a national location to record them. Some insurers, finance companies or purchasers might require this, but generally only on larger, more expensive boats. In summary, there is probably no valid reason why you should document your boat. However, if you decide to do it, ask further and I will advise. You can do it youself, rather than paying a "Documentation Service" or attorney to do it for you.
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John
Coast Guard site
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm My boat is documented, and I did it myself. All of the forms and instructions are on-line. Documentation is national registration, and provides conclusive evidence of nationalty, and establishes legal ownership. Some states do not require registration of documented vessels.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm My boat is documented, and I did it myself. All of the forms and instructions are on-line. Documentation is national registration, and provides conclusive evidence of nationalty, and establishes legal ownership. Some states do not require registration of documented vessels.
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Eric Steege
Can't find the federal documentation
My boat is documented, but I cannot find the proof. The previous owner had filed for the papers, but had no luck. I personally know the original owner who federally documented the boat, so I know that it is documented. Anyone know how I can get the documents? Eric Steege Perfect Union 1984 Hunter 31 Bayport, Minnesota
My boat is documented, but I cannot find the proof. The previous owner had filed for the papers, but had no luck. I personally know the original owner who federally documented the boat, so I know that it is documented. Anyone know how I can get the documents? Eric Steege Perfect Union 1984 Hunter 31 Bayport, Minnesota
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david lewis
documentation
when a boat is sold the documentation must be changed or it is no longer documented. Thats the whole purpose of a document. It is like a title on a car. It protects the buyer if there are liens against the boat, or if the ownership trail is suspect. you should contact the coast guard and submit paperwork to get the document changed. you will need your bill of sale as proof of ownership change. You may not legally own your boat so do this TODAY!!
when a boat is sold the documentation must be changed or it is no longer documented. Thats the whole purpose of a document. It is like a title on a car. It protects the buyer if there are liens against the boat, or if the ownership trail is suspect. you should contact the coast guard and submit paperwork to get the document changed. you will need your bill of sale as proof of ownership change. You may not legally own your boat so do this TODAY!!
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Bill Saint
Coast Guard Web Site
I recently purchased a boat which was documented. It gave me great comfort to be able to check online that it was documented, as well as order an abstract search to inquire as to any liens against the boat (only had the original ships mortgage fortunately!). You can go online to the US Coast Guard site to check documentation on any boat, or read the info for how to document a boat. The link is www.uscg.mil/services.html - choose "Vessel Search" to search for documentation on a boat, or "Vessel Documentation Center" for information on how to document a boat. One note of advice - when buying a boat, order the abstract search several days before you want to close as it takes 24-48 hours to check for any outstanding liens. I documented my last Hunter 30 and will document the 310 I just purchased. It made the sale and purchase for me much easier and as stated before, most every finance company will require it for a loan.
I recently purchased a boat which was documented. It gave me great comfort to be able to check online that it was documented, as well as order an abstract search to inquire as to any liens against the boat (only had the original ships mortgage fortunately!). You can go online to the US Coast Guard site to check documentation on any boat, or read the info for how to document a boat. The link is www.uscg.mil/services.html - choose "Vessel Search" to search for documentation on a boat, or "Vessel Documentation Center" for information on how to document a boat. One note of advice - when buying a boat, order the abstract search several days before you want to close as it takes 24-48 hours to check for any outstanding liens. I documented my last Hunter 30 and will document the 310 I just purchased. It made the sale and purchase for me much easier and as stated before, most every finance company will require it for a loan.
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Ken Pfaf
Required to get loan
I am in the process of purchasing a new boat. Both companies I submitted loan applications to will require that I get US Coast Guard documentation in order to get the loan.
I am in the process of purchasing a new boat. Both companies I submitted loan applications to will require that I get US Coast Guard documentation in order to get the loan.
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Les Murray
Your boat may be too small to document
I just bought my C-36 which was documented. It was very easy to change the ownership and got it doen in about a month. One thing to note however, is that I believe your boat must be at least 30'LOA to document. I thought I read that as part of the instructions for documenting. Check with the CG to verify this. Les Murray S/V Ceilidh C-36 TR #560 Bristol, RI
I just bought my C-36 which was documented. It was very easy to change the ownership and got it doen in about a month. One thing to note however, is that I believe your boat must be at least 30'LOA to document. I thought I read that as part of the instructions for documenting. Check with the CG to verify this. Les Murray S/V Ceilidh C-36 TR #560 Bristol, RI
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John VIsser
no length requirement
it must be at least 5 net tons; the CG site says that most boats 25' and up will make it.
it must be at least 5 net tons; the CG site says that most boats 25' and up will make it.
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Eric Lorgus
Documentation isn't forever
It must be renewed annually, and a decal affixed to the back of the USCG Certificate of Documentation. This certificate is to be kept aboard the vessel at all times when it is in operation. Lenders often require documentation because it provides federal jurisdiction should legal action (repo) become necessary. If a craft is smaller and likely to spend most of its time in the waters of a single state, it's a less complicated legal maneuver. In addition to having the certificate on board, federally documented vessels must have the official number permanently affixed to a prominent part of the interior structure, in lettering at least 3" high. Eric Lorgus s/v Impulse 83H54
It must be renewed annually, and a decal affixed to the back of the USCG Certificate of Documentation. This certificate is to be kept aboard the vessel at all times when it is in operation. Lenders often require documentation because it provides federal jurisdiction should legal action (repo) become necessary. If a craft is smaller and likely to spend most of its time in the waters of a single state, it's a less complicated legal maneuver. In addition to having the certificate on board, federally documented vessels must have the official number permanently affixed to a prominent part of the interior structure, in lettering at least 3" high. Eric Lorgus s/v Impulse 83H54
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Ken Palmer
Let me add
The annual renewal of the documentation is, get this..... FREE! The Coast Guard sends a sticker every year that is added to your document. Who would have thought that something from the government, for the marine world, would be free? Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
The annual renewal of the documentation is, get this..... FREE! The Coast Guard sends a sticker every year that is added to your document. Who would have thought that something from the government, for the marine world, would be free? Ken Palmer, S/V Liberty
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Garry @ S/V TASHTEGO
Documentation
Well,I tried the "simplified measurement" scheme posted on the Coast Guard web site and my Catalina 27 came out 5 gross tons which converts to 4 net tons and can't be documented (limit is 5 net tons). Has anybody out there managed to document a Cat 27?
Well,I tried the "simplified measurement" scheme posted on the Coast Guard web site and my Catalina 27 came out 5 gross tons which converts to 4 net tons and can't be documented (limit is 5 net tons). Has anybody out there managed to document a Cat 27?
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Dale Young
Yes to Documentation!
Other than not having to display lettering, I was told that by documenting my boat, the U.S. Gov't assumes a $1 vested interest in my boat .A kind of protection (if you will) I'm not sure how accurate this is but,it linearizes all of the legal end and provides a nice solid,legal title. So I documented mine! INITIALLY it costs to document, but your renewals are free. They just send you a new sticker annually.
Other than not having to display lettering, I was told that by documenting my boat, the U.S. Gov't assumes a $1 vested interest in my boat .A kind of protection (if you will) I'm not sure how accurate this is but,it linearizes all of the legal end and provides a nice solid,legal title. So I documented mine! INITIALLY it costs to document, but your renewals are free. They just send you a new sticker annually.
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