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Ray
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Chuck Wayne
documentation
don't get your hopes up! it takes a fair amount of work (or pay an expert) to document a boat; generally she has to over about 30 feet, and you have to calculate the tonnage-of cargo capacity! as part of the filing. it costs about $250 to have it done, including $134 to the CG. In addition, some states also require you to register the boat, pay fees, etc if she's moored in their waters
don't get your hopes up! it takes a fair amount of work (or pay an expert) to document a boat; generally she has to over about 30 feet, and you have to calculate the tonnage-of cargo capacity! as part of the filing. it costs about $250 to have it done, including $134 to the CG. In addition, some states also require you to register the boat, pay fees, etc if she's moored in their waters
Mick, it is easy.
Mick: The cost is $133. I am in the process of completing mine now. You fill out the form, they have a calculator on the website to calculate the tonnage. My boat was originally registered in the state of California to me. I wanted to get my wifes name on the documentation so I had to pay $8 for a "bill of sale" that will transfer title from me to us. You can also call them with any questions, they are quite helful and even friendly. I would not pay anyone to do this unless there is some clouded title issues.
Mick: The cost is $133. I am in the process of completing mine now. You fill out the form, they have a calculator on the website to calculate the tonnage. My boat was originally registered in the state of California to me. I wanted to get my wifes name on the documentation so I had to pay $8 for a "bill of sale" that will transfer title from me to us. You can also call them with any questions, they are quite helful and even friendly. I would not pay anyone to do this unless there is some clouded title issues.
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Richard Briggs
I agree steve
Mick it is a very simple process, I agree with Steve. Realy no need to pay the high prices people charge to do it for you. When I bought my boat, I was told I should use a company to document it for me. I live 10 minutes from the CG documentation center in WV. I opted to do it myself and walked in and out with my documentation with in 1 hour. If a person has the luxuary of carrying in their papers they walk right out with documentation #s no waiting. Regards, Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
Mick it is a very simple process, I agree with Steve. Realy no need to pay the high prices people charge to do it for you. When I bought my boat, I was told I should use a company to document it for me. I live 10 minutes from the CG documentation center in WV. I opted to do it myself and walked in and out with my documentation with in 1 hour. If a person has the luxuary of carrying in their papers they walk right out with documentation #s no waiting. Regards, Richard s/v La Vida Feliz
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Paul
What about renewal?
It isn't really documented for life, correct? Don't you have to renew it every year? And isn't there a fee associated with renewal? Maybe I heard all this from someone trying to scam me when I bought my first boat. I'm hoping that someone knowledgable will speak up and clarify this. I didn't document, since I couldn't see any advantage. I still have to pay DMV every year in CT. Paul
It isn't really documented for life, correct? Don't you have to renew it every year? And isn't there a fee associated with renewal? Maybe I heard all this from someone trying to scam me when I bought my first boat. I'm hoping that someone knowledgable will speak up and clarify this. I didn't document, since I couldn't see any advantage. I still have to pay DMV every year in CT. Paul
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RonD
Documentation Renewal is Easy
For the Federal Documentation (administered by the USCG) the renewal is semi-automatic and free. The Documentation period is 12 months, and prior to expiration the USCG automatically sends you a short renewal form to sign & return (OK, it does cost the price of a postage stamp!). The form allows you to certify that everything is still as stated, or to make any corrections/changes (which can incur a fee, depending upon what changes). You are, of course, still liable to your State of primary usage for any taxes & fees. Federal documentation does NOT include your tender/dinghy; it must be State registered and numbered. --RonD
For the Federal Documentation (administered by the USCG) the renewal is semi-automatic and free. The Documentation period is 12 months, and prior to expiration the USCG automatically sends you a short renewal form to sign & return (OK, it does cost the price of a postage stamp!). The form allows you to certify that everything is still as stated, or to make any corrections/changes (which can incur a fee, depending upon what changes). You are, of course, still liable to your State of primary usage for any taxes & fees. Federal documentation does NOT include your tender/dinghy; it must be State registered and numbered. --RonD
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Kevin
Only One Catch...
Documentation is the way to go but there is a catch...at least here in Texas...that is, a documented boat doesn't have registration numbers displayed. I have heard of folks from Parks & Wildlife pulling over boats on the water because they have no registration numbers and then arguing that documentation doesn't matter...the boat still has to be registrated with the State. WRONG!, but you may have to argue the point in court to get your ticket dismissed as some game wardens don't understand this and are not willing to radio in the question to those who might know. Not a big deal, just an aggravation. My boat is documented and I will keep it that way. ps: perhaps it's just that the States don't like the Feds giving us taxpayers a way around paying those pesky annual registration fees!
Documentation is the way to go but there is a catch...at least here in Texas...that is, a documented boat doesn't have registration numbers displayed. I have heard of folks from Parks & Wildlife pulling over boats on the water because they have no registration numbers and then arguing that documentation doesn't matter...the boat still has to be registrated with the State. WRONG!, but you may have to argue the point in court to get your ticket dismissed as some game wardens don't understand this and are not willing to radio in the question to those who might know. Not a big deal, just an aggravation. My boat is documented and I will keep it that way. ps: perhaps it's just that the States don't like the Feds giving us taxpayers a way around paying those pesky annual registration fees!
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Paul McGhee
Texas Law...
Here's the section from the current Texas statutes describing how documented boats must be numbered (i.e. registered). So, maybe those game wardens were right! The laws are similar in CT. In CT, you don't need a number but you need the annual sticker which costs the same. I still can't see any reason to document a coastal cruiser. Paul -------------------------- 31.023. Vessels Numbered Under Federal or Other State Law The owner of any vessel for which a current certificate of number has been awarded under any federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state shall, if the vessel is operated on the water of this state in excess of 90 consecutive days, make application for a certificate of number in the manner prescribed in this chapter for residents of this state.
Here's the section from the current Texas statutes describing how documented boats must be numbered (i.e. registered). So, maybe those game wardens were right! The laws are similar in CT. In CT, you don't need a number but you need the annual sticker which costs the same. I still can't see any reason to document a coastal cruiser. Paul -------------------------- 31.023. Vessels Numbered Under Federal or Other State Law The owner of any vessel for which a current certificate of number has been awarded under any federal law or a federally approved numbering system of another state shall, if the vessel is operated on the water of this state in excess of 90 consecutive days, make application for a certificate of number in the manner prescribed in this chapter for residents of this state.
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RonD
State markings
Here is the position of the USCG (link, below) regarding State markings of a documented vessel: ..... IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION? No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements. ..... So, some states can get you anyway! Federal Documentation does offer a clear title chain when you sell, and can be in your favor if you cruise internationally. --RonD
Here is the position of the USCG (link, below) regarding State markings of a documented vessel: ..... IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION? No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements. ..... So, some states can get you anyway! Federal Documentation does offer a clear title chain when you sell, and can be in your favor if you cruise internationally. --RonD
but it takes a while if you don't live in WV.
Richard: It does take a while if you do not live around the corner from the NVDC. They quote 6 weeks if everything is in order. They issued me a number after about 5-6 weeks but also notified me that I needed a Bill of Sale forms to transfer title from me to the spouse and me. They are also in the process of automating their operations (scanning all incoming documents for the process) and they are back logged. I originally sent mine in around June 20th. They received it June 26 and they tell me that they are scanning 6/5/2003 documents today. I am probably about 2-3 weeks away from having everything completed.
Richard: It does take a while if you do not live around the corner from the NVDC. They quote 6 weeks if everything is in order. They issued me a number after about 5-6 weeks but also notified me that I needed a Bill of Sale forms to transfer title from me to the spouse and me. They are also in the process of automating their operations (scanning all incoming documents for the process) and they are back logged. I originally sent mine in around June 20th. They received it June 26 and they tell me that they are scanning 6/5/2003 documents today. I am probably about 2-3 weeks away from having everything completed.
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Richard Briggs
correct steve
Yes you are correct steve, I am fortunate to live next to them. of coarse un-fortunate that I live so far from my boat. If the vessal has not been documented befor they require a special form of theirs for a bill of sale. If I was going to be around in the future I think I would open a business for documentation and only charge 1/3 what some are charging and be able to walk the papers through. Regards, Richard La Vida Feliz
Yes you are correct steve, I am fortunate to live next to them. of coarse un-fortunate that I live so far from my boat. If the vessal has not been documented befor they require a special form of theirs for a bill of sale. If I was going to be around in the future I think I would open a business for documentation and only charge 1/3 what some are charging and be able to walk the papers through. Regards, Richard La Vida Feliz
only needed BOS because of change of ownership.
Richard: I only needed the Bill-of-sale form because I changed the registration from my name to my wife and myself. Otherwise this would have been done within the 6 week estimate that they quoted. They provide fairly good instructions and have wonderful phone support. You may need to wait on hold for a few minutes but not too bad. For those that will be documenting in the future, they are in the process of going 'on-line' with their systems. This should make everything easier, once the wash out all of the system bugs. It may take it a little longer in the short term.
Richard: I only needed the Bill-of-sale form because I changed the registration from my name to my wife and myself. Otherwise this would have been done within the 6 week estimate that they quoted. They provide fairly good instructions and have wonderful phone support. You may need to wait on hold for a few minutes but not too bad. For those that will be documenting in the future, they are in the process of going 'on-line' with their systems. This should make everything easier, once the wash out all of the system bugs. It may take it a little longer in the short term.
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Richard Briggs
OK
OK steve, I agree with you.. They are very user friendly. For those of you wanting to document and are taking a vacation, you may want to consider coming to West"BY God"Virginia. HAve a great vacation, see some beutiful country, enjoy west virginia jokes and document your boat in less than hour. ooops, I forgot and drive like a Nascar driver while you are here. Richard La Vida Feliz
OK steve, I agree with you.. They are very user friendly. For those of you wanting to document and are taking a vacation, you may want to consider coming to West"BY God"Virginia. HAve a great vacation, see some beutiful country, enjoy west virginia jokes and document your boat in less than hour. ooops, I forgot and drive like a Nascar driver while you are here. Richard La Vida Feliz
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Janet Plume
freshwater pressure
the diaphragm pump on my freshwater system won't cycle off. i have determined the problem isn't the pump. i spent most of yesterday looking for leaks without success. are leaks readily discernible in a pressurized system? what else could be causing this? thanks janet
the diaphragm pump on my freshwater system won't cycle off. i have determined the problem isn't the pump. i spent most of yesterday looking for leaks without success. are leaks readily discernible in a pressurized system? what else could be causing this? thanks janet
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