"The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area." So that is what the Coast Guard requires. What did you (or the dealer) do to put the documentation numbers on your boat? 1. How did you mark the hull? Everything on the inside of my hull is covered with liners or bulkheads and if it must be visiable, it cannot be in a locker (right)?
Putting on your Documentation #
- Thread starter Doghouse
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sign maker made a stencil
We had the sign maker make a stencil for us. Then you peel off the back and place it where you want it. Put a couple of coats of paint on and remove the stencil. If you are really worried, you would put a coat of epoxy over the numbers when you are done.
We had the sign maker make a stencil for us. Then you peel off the back and place it where you want it. Put a couple of coats of paint on and remove the stencil. If you are really worried, you would put a coat of epoxy over the numbers when you are done.
No "No." on my boat
When I first had the boat documented the previous owner never bothered with marking the boat with number. I did, I bought the peel back numbers and affixed to the inside of my bilge and covered with expoxy. I did not add the "No." to it. I have be "checked" by the USCG twice since then and they look at the number and said nothing about the missing "No.". Certainly this is not a big deal to fix, other than I have to remember to buy the letters next time I am at the store.
When I first had the boat documented the previous owner never bothered with marking the boat with number. I did, I bought the peel back numbers and affixed to the inside of my bilge and covered with expoxy. I did not add the "No." to it. I have be "checked" by the USCG twice since then and they look at the number and said nothing about the missing "No.". Certainly this is not a big deal to fix, other than I have to remember to buy the letters next time I am at the store.
I emailed the Coast Guard Doc center
with the question of what clearly visible meant - could it be under a hatch in the floor next to the seacocks because the hull in my boat is also govered with liners etc. They emailed back a copy of the regulation and told me to contact my local Coast Guard station with any additional questions. I contacted the station at Shark River, NJ and was told putting it under the hatch was fine - as long as it was not to difficult to get to without moving a bunch of things. So that is what I will do - I just hope that if I am inspected they have the same interpretation of the rules. I will either apply vinyl numbers to a contrasting board in epoxy it in place or carve the numbers into teak and epoxy that in place - I will decide after looking at the boat again.
with the question of what clearly visible meant - could it be under a hatch in the floor next to the seacocks because the hull in my boat is also govered with liners etc. They emailed back a copy of the regulation and told me to contact my local Coast Guard station with any additional questions. I contacted the station at Shark River, NJ and was told putting it under the hatch was fine - as long as it was not to difficult to get to without moving a bunch of things. So that is what I will do - I just hope that if I am inspected they have the same interpretation of the rules. I will either apply vinyl numbers to a contrasting board in epoxy it in place or carve the numbers into teak and epoxy that in place - I will decide after looking at the boat again.
Mine is in the cockpit locker
I get the vinyl peel off letter, and yes, including the "NO" and stuck them on the hull inside of my cockpit locker. I then covered it with a few coats of epoxy. It has been inspected by the CG, and they liked it just fine. I have another set of numbers very well hidden on the boat. Also covered with epoxy.
I get the vinyl peel off letter, and yes, including the "NO" and stuck them on the hull inside of my cockpit locker. I then covered it with a few coats of epoxy. It has been inspected by the CG, and they liked it just fine. I have another set of numbers very well hidden on the boat. Also covered with epoxy.
doc no.
The PO had the numbers, including the No., routed into a piece of teak but did nothing with it. I went over the numbers with a black marker, put a coat of varnish on it and stuck it under the salon window with double-stick tape. I've owned the boat for nine years and have never been boarded or inspected, tho.
The PO had the numbers, including the No., routed into a piece of teak but did nothing with it. I went over the numbers with a black marker, put a coat of varnish on it and stuck it under the salon window with double-stick tape. I've owned the boat for nine years and have never been boarded or inspected, tho.
Mine are...
Mine are carved and painted black on a wall the compartment under the cockpit sole. Its sort of a cross between a closet and a crawl in equipment room. I think the nicest way to do it is to carve a them info a beam or panel and paint them gold. Somehow seeing those permanent numbers carved in elevates the vessel to 'yacht' status in my mind. Documentation of a vessel is transferable when the boat is sold, and it was a selling point for me to not have to put state numbers on the bow.
Mine are carved and painted black on a wall the compartment under the cockpit sole. Its sort of a cross between a closet and a crawl in equipment room. I think the nicest way to do it is to carve a them info a beam or panel and paint them gold. Somehow seeing those permanent numbers carved in elevates the vessel to 'yacht' status in my mind. Documentation of a vessel is transferable when the boat is sold, and it was a selling point for me to not have to put state numbers on the bow.
Iside the cabinet,,,
...in the forward v-berth. The are the stick-on type of decals and then there is a swipe of varnish/sealer over them.
...in the forward v-berth. The are the stick-on type of decals and then there is a swipe of varnish/sealer over them.
Ross, you are correct..
That is the way it is stated in the regs. But, like many others who have responded, I have also stuck 3 inch vynal numbers to the hull (insude the anchor locker) and then covered them with 1/16 inch of clear gelcoat. Coasties have looked and said "okay". "Easily seen" can be in a locker as long as it isn't burried under a ton of gear. This may be one of those gray areas that is open to interpretation by the officer. If I were inspected by an officer who's wife burned his toast I might get a write-up!
That is the way it is stated in the regs. But, like many others who have responded, I have also stuck 3 inch vynal numbers to the hull (insude the anchor locker) and then covered them with 1/16 inch of clear gelcoat. Coasties have looked and said "okay". "Easily seen" can be in a locker as long as it isn't burried under a ton of gear. This may be one of those gray areas that is open to interpretation by the officer. If I were inspected by an officer who's wife burned his toast I might get a write-up!
Epoxy over paper
I had a Catalina 30 with the numbers under the starboard seat locker. The PO took plain old paper and wrote the numbers on it by hand. He then epoxied them to the hull in the locker. He had a good hand and the result was quite surprizing as the paper bacame almost transparent. Looked like he had hand painted them on to me for a long time till I got up close while cleaning out the water tank. With this method you could get real creative. What EXACTLY constitutes arabic numbers?
I had a Catalina 30 with the numbers under the starboard seat locker. The PO took plain old paper and wrote the numbers on it by hand. He then epoxied them to the hull in the locker. He had a good hand and the result was quite surprizing as the paper bacame almost transparent. Looked like he had hand painted them on to me for a long time till I got up close while cleaning out the water tank. With this method you could get real creative. What EXACTLY constitutes arabic numbers?
Bill...
...Arabic numerals are the everyday numbers you and I use (1234567890) along with our Latin script. Strictly speaking, they are not Arabic, but they evolved from them. If you look at current Arabic numerals, you see the connection with ours.
...Arabic numerals are the everyday numbers you and I use (1234567890) along with our Latin script. Strictly speaking, they are not Arabic, but they evolved from them. If you look at current Arabic numerals, you see the connection with ours.
Document numbers
as late as 30 yrs ago were still required to be "carved into the main beam", and the boat's original owner was certified by the "Master Carpenter" on the documentation application. They may have since heard about fiberglass, aluminum, etc. At that time the name and hailing port could not be printed on a separate board which was then fastened to the hull - too easy to put a different name on a similar board, etc. I delivered several boats from yards in Taiwan, and as a matter of course, obtained temporary documentation (Certificate of American Ownership) from US consulates based on the owner's passport and the yard super's declaration. The # was usually hand carved into the deck beam at the forward end of the cabin trunk.
as late as 30 yrs ago were still required to be "carved into the main beam", and the boat's original owner was certified by the "Master Carpenter" on the documentation application. They may have since heard about fiberglass, aluminum, etc. At that time the name and hailing port could not be printed on a separate board which was then fastened to the hull - too easy to put a different name on a similar board, etc. I delivered several boats from yards in Taiwan, and as a matter of course, obtained temporary documentation (Certificate of American Ownership) from US consulates based on the owner's passport and the yard super's declaration. The # was usually hand carved into the deck beam at the forward end of the cabin trunk.
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