I've checked the archives and only find information about Home Port (Hailing Port)when registering your boat with USCG. I've recently purchased a sailboat and have registered the boat with Indiana. I am in the process of changing the boat name and home port on the stern. When boats are registered with the state, the registration numbers have to be displayed (which I have done). I don't believe I am required to put the home port name on the boat but would like to put my town of residence under the boat name. I'm a little confused on what is correct here. I have noticed at the marina there are boats with town/city names that do not have a waterway. Does it make a difference whether you put the town of the marina (where the boat is slipped) or your town of residence? Please excuse me if this question seems lame, but I haven't been able to find the answers anywhere else. Thanks for your replies.
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David
Registering with the state
and not documenting with the USCG allows you to put whatever you want on the boat, hailing port, home port, marina, state you would rather be in......
and not documenting with the USCG allows you to put whatever you want on the boat, hailing port, home port, marina, state you would rather be in......
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Paul K
CG Documentation
Obtaining a Certificate of Documentation - "registering" with the U.S.Coast Guard - provides a very simple way for people to track if there are liens on the boat and who owns it. Banks like this because they can verify title and know how much has to be paid off before the title is clear of any encumbrances. Buyers like it for the same reason. Imagine if the mechanic who did some major work on the boat last season hadn't been paid by the previous owner. The mechanic could get a sheriff to padlock the boat in its slip until his $5,000 bill was paid -- by YOU- the current owner. If a boat is sold out of state, how are you going to check this and be absolutely sure? (Do you trust used car salesmen too?) A boat can be registered with both the USCG and the state. If you plan to sell it, it can be a good idea. Home ports used to be restricted to certain major cities, but when we documented our boat, it simply called for the home port, wherever that was. Also, if you think putting a landlocked home port on the transom seems a bit lame.... maybe it's because it is.
Obtaining a Certificate of Documentation - "registering" with the U.S.Coast Guard - provides a very simple way for people to track if there are liens on the boat and who owns it. Banks like this because they can verify title and know how much has to be paid off before the title is clear of any encumbrances. Buyers like it for the same reason. Imagine if the mechanic who did some major work on the boat last season hadn't been paid by the previous owner. The mechanic could get a sheriff to padlock the boat in its slip until his $5,000 bill was paid -- by YOU- the current owner. If a boat is sold out of state, how are you going to check this and be absolutely sure? (Do you trust used car salesmen too?) A boat can be registered with both the USCG and the state. If you plan to sell it, it can be a good idea. Home ports used to be restricted to certain major cities, but when we documented our boat, it simply called for the home port, wherever that was. Also, if you think putting a landlocked home port on the transom seems a bit lame.... maybe it's because it is.
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nick maggio
anything you want
documentation is the only time you need to put the hailing home port and boat name at rear transom one on each side that is required, and when you are only registering with the state you can put anything thing or name any place.
documentation is the only time you need to put the hailing home port and boat name at rear transom one on each side that is required, and when you are only registering with the state you can put anything thing or name any place.
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Debra B
Hailing Port Requirements
If you are ever going to go for USCG documentation, then you may want to look at their requirements for hailing port. You only need to put the boat name/hailing port 1 time on the vessel, but the size of the letters and the relationship of the name to hailing port are spelled out by the coast guard. (see the National Vessel Documentation Center web site) By the way, someone said you can do both State title and USCG documentation. No you can't (You must do state registration) But Documentation replaces a state title.
If you are ever going to go for USCG documentation, then you may want to look at their requirements for hailing port. You only need to put the boat name/hailing port 1 time on the vessel, but the size of the letters and the relationship of the name to hailing port are spelled out by the coast guard. (see the National Vessel Documentation Center web site) By the way, someone said you can do both State title and USCG documentation. No you can't (You must do state registration) But Documentation replaces a state title.
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RonD
Federal/State
To correct something said or implied by the other posters, being Federally documented *usually* precludes also having to be State registered & numbered, but not always. Best to check with your local state boating laws (the NASBLA weblink might help). Some states let you get away with the dinghy being covered under the boat's Federal documentation (i.e., marked as "tender to (T/T)" plus the boat's documented name, and carrying the boat's documentation number plus a "-1," but that isn't universal either. I've seen it used in Maine a lot. Being Federally documented *never* precludes your local State taxation & fee liabilities, either. Here in Massachsetts, "home port" is where the town boat is principally stored. For those who trailer their boats & keep them in their driveway, that can be an inland town/city. I had a friend with a 30' sailboat who trailered his boat to his home each Fall rather than pay for storage. It was documented with an inland "home port." The "home port" town assesses the excise taxes, etc. MA doesn't buy the "T/T" idea either -- your motorized dinghy must be registered & numbered as a separate boat.
To correct something said or implied by the other posters, being Federally documented *usually* precludes also having to be State registered & numbered, but not always. Best to check with your local state boating laws (the NASBLA weblink might help). Some states let you get away with the dinghy being covered under the boat's Federal documentation (i.e., marked as "tender to (T/T)" plus the boat's documented name, and carrying the boat's documentation number plus a "-1," but that isn't universal either. I've seen it used in Maine a lot. Being Federally documented *never* precludes your local State taxation & fee liabilities, either. Here in Massachsetts, "home port" is where the town boat is principally stored. For those who trailer their boats & keep them in their driveway, that can be an inland town/city. I had a friend with a 30' sailboat who trailered his boat to his home each Fall rather than pay for storage. It was documented with an inland "home port." The "home port" town assesses the excise taxes, etc. MA doesn't buy the "T/T" idea either -- your motorized dinghy must be registered & numbered as a separate boat.
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ron
Title question
We bought our used 1991 sailboat in NY in 1999. It was documented by the previous owner and he had an outstanding loan on it. When we purchased the sailboat, we, too, had it documented (and we still have it documented). We financed the boat. Our finance company would not, of course, finance it until the previous lien of the previous owner was paid off. A year later we paid off the boat. Two years after paying off the boat, we realized we did not have the title. We contacted the MV dept of NY to inquire about getting the title. They said they had sent us a note a few years ago, stating they would not release the title to us *until* the original lien holder sent them a release. I contacted the lien-holder we had used, who had paid off the other lien, to get them to check into the situation. They said they had no active records and perhaps their archive people would check into it. That was last year and nothing has happened. I called NY MV last year and they said they would not send me clear title until the previous lien-holder sent a release. What should I do? Do I have a problem? Because I have a documented boat, should that be enough proof to the NY MV dept??? Who can I contact??? Thanks in advance! Ron
We bought our used 1991 sailboat in NY in 1999. It was documented by the previous owner and he had an outstanding loan on it. When we purchased the sailboat, we, too, had it documented (and we still have it documented). We financed the boat. Our finance company would not, of course, finance it until the previous lien of the previous owner was paid off. A year later we paid off the boat. Two years after paying off the boat, we realized we did not have the title. We contacted the MV dept of NY to inquire about getting the title. They said they had sent us a note a few years ago, stating they would not release the title to us *until* the original lien holder sent them a release. I contacted the lien-holder we had used, who had paid off the other lien, to get them to check into the situation. They said they had no active records and perhaps their archive people would check into it. That was last year and nothing has happened. I called NY MV last year and they said they would not send me clear title until the previous lien-holder sent a release. What should I do? Do I have a problem? Because I have a documented boat, should that be enough proof to the NY MV dept??? Who can I contact??? Thanks in advance! Ron
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David
Ron
I registered my boat with the state when it was first purchased as I did not finance. A year later I documented with the USCG and the state wanted the title back. If a vessel is documented (titled) with the federal government, the state I live in will not allow it to have a state title.
I registered my boat with the state when it was first purchased as I did not finance. A year later I documented with the USCG and the state wanted the title back. If a vessel is documented (titled) with the federal government, the state I live in will not allow it to have a state title.
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Jeff D
State Requirements Different
Unfortunately, you find as many different answers to State requirements as you will states, that is compounded by the number of bureaucrats that you ask. Some states have titles, some don't. Some require numbers if documented others don't. I would check with the local Water Patrols that issue tickets and ask what rules they go by. I would document just so there is a chain of custody of the boat ownership if you sell or buy.
Unfortunately, you find as many different answers to State requirements as you will states, that is compounded by the number of bureaucrats that you ask. Some states have titles, some don't. Some require numbers if documented others don't. I would check with the local Water Patrols that issue tickets and ask what rules they go by. I would document just so there is a chain of custody of the boat ownership if you sell or buy.
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ron
does documentation trump a state title?
Then does documentation take precedence over a state title??? If I had a buyer of my boat with my situation as described, would the buyer be free and clear with my boat without any jeopardy as to the first owner claiming ownership? Also, would the new buyer be free and clear in *all* states with my documentation??? Thanks in advance! Ron
Then does documentation take precedence over a state title??? If I had a buyer of my boat with my situation as described, would the buyer be free and clear with my boat without any jeopardy as to the first owner claiming ownership? Also, would the new buyer be free and clear in *all* states with my documentation??? Thanks in advance! Ron
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Paul K
Playing cards
Documentation may or may not trump a state title. As mentioned in other posts, it depends upon the state. Documentation provides lienholders (and owners, buyers and sellers) a convenient way of registering boat liens (including loans) all in one place that is the same for all 50 states. If I take my Maine-registered boat to North Carolina to retire and let my Maine registration lapse... Who is going to know that I still owe $15,000 on the loan when I sell it to you at a really good price? If there are no registration numbers any more, how do you or your bank know what state to check with? Documentation, with the assiged number physically attached to the hull so that if altered it is readily apparent, avoids this problem for: owners (if their boat is stolen - it is easier to track and identify), buyers (who want to make sure the boat is clear of liens before they buy it) sellers (who want to be able to show their boat is unencumbered) and even tradesmen, who can make sure they get paid before a boat gets sold. Documentation is also handy for international voyages. Foreign Customs officers have heard of the United States, and know that there is a U.S. Ambassador. They may not have heard of Delaware, Louisiana, Oregon, or any other particular state. If you're in trouble abroad, are you going to place a collect call to the Governor of your state? The head of the Department of Motor Vehicles (who's likely in charge of boat registration?) Who IS the head of the DMV in your state??? Whoever they are, they're not likely to be able to help much. Not everyone gets their boat documented - not all boats qualify - but it can be a good thing to have.
Documentation may or may not trump a state title. As mentioned in other posts, it depends upon the state. Documentation provides lienholders (and owners, buyers and sellers) a convenient way of registering boat liens (including loans) all in one place that is the same for all 50 states. If I take my Maine-registered boat to North Carolina to retire and let my Maine registration lapse... Who is going to know that I still owe $15,000 on the loan when I sell it to you at a really good price? If there are no registration numbers any more, how do you or your bank know what state to check with? Documentation, with the assiged number physically attached to the hull so that if altered it is readily apparent, avoids this problem for: owners (if their boat is stolen - it is easier to track and identify), buyers (who want to make sure the boat is clear of liens before they buy it) sellers (who want to be able to show their boat is unencumbered) and even tradesmen, who can make sure they get paid before a boat gets sold. Documentation is also handy for international voyages. Foreign Customs officers have heard of the United States, and know that there is a U.S. Ambassador. They may not have heard of Delaware, Louisiana, Oregon, or any other particular state. If you're in trouble abroad, are you going to place a collect call to the Governor of your state? The head of the Department of Motor Vehicles (who's likely in charge of boat registration?) Who IS the head of the DMV in your state??? Whoever they are, they're not likely to be able to help much. Not everyone gets their boat documented - not all boats qualify - but it can be a good thing to have.
Tender is not covered.
'Documentation of your vessel does NOT cover the vessel's tender or dinghy. These craft fall within the jurisdiction of the motorboat numbering laws of the state of principal use.' They recommend that you contact the state agency that handles the registration or numbering of motorboats for further information. All of this information may be found from the USGC National Vessel Documentation Center.
'Documentation of your vessel does NOT cover the vessel's tender or dinghy. These craft fall within the jurisdiction of the motorboat numbering laws of the state of principal use.' They recommend that you contact the state agency that handles the registration or numbering of motorboats for further information. All of this information may be found from the USGC National Vessel Documentation Center.
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ron
more on documentation trumping state title
Situation: I do not hold the title due to a glitch with prior owner's lienholder and state of NY. I do have boat documented and the boat has no liens and I live in ME. *If* I keep the boat documented (and I plan to do just that): If I sell the boat to anybody in *any* state, will *any* state require that I turn in the title (which I don't have) in order for new owner to be able to register the boat??? If so, then *I* may have a problem selling the boat. Will *all* states accept my documentation *instead* of a state title as proof that the boat has no liens??? Thanks in advance! Ron
Situation: I do not hold the title due to a glitch with prior owner's lienholder and state of NY. I do have boat documented and the boat has no liens and I live in ME. *If* I keep the boat documented (and I plan to do just that): If I sell the boat to anybody in *any* state, will *any* state require that I turn in the title (which I don't have) in order for new owner to be able to register the boat??? If so, then *I* may have a problem selling the boat. Will *all* states accept my documentation *instead* of a state title as proof that the boat has no liens??? Thanks in advance! Ron
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Richard Briggs
not so lame
Hi Paul, You brought up some good points. I tend to take exception to your comment "if you think putting a landlocked home port on the transom seems a bit lame.... maybe it's because it is.". I have documented my vessel although its "home port" will be Rio Dulce guatemala, I can't use that, and my only other home will be in Green Valley,AZ I have my home port in the middle of the desert. I think it is fun to see where people actually hail from. And if putting a landlocked name is lame,I guess you would have to say the Coast Guard HQ and National Documentation center located in Martinsburg "WEST VIRGINIA" is realy lame. I appreciate your views and only wish to state mine and not start a flaming thread. Regards, Richard
Hi Paul, You brought up some good points. I tend to take exception to your comment "if you think putting a landlocked home port on the transom seems a bit lame.... maybe it's because it is.". I have documented my vessel although its "home port" will be Rio Dulce guatemala, I can't use that, and my only other home will be in Green Valley,AZ I have my home port in the middle of the desert. I think it is fun to see where people actually hail from. And if putting a landlocked name is lame,I guess you would have to say the Coast Guard HQ and National Documentation center located in Martinsburg "WEST VIRGINIA" is realy lame. I appreciate your views and only wish to state mine and not start a flaming thread. Regards, Richard
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