Coast Guard Documentation and Name

[a_nyc_scott]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of purchasing a boat from a private party (using a title company per guidance from an earlier posting). I have decided to document the boat rather than registering it with my home state. As part of the documentation process you need to provide the new "hailing port" as well as the new name for the boat (in my case both will be different from what is currently shown on the side and back of the boat which I imagine is fairly typical).

My question is this; how long do I have to change the name/hailing port on the boat to reflect the new name/hailing port shown on the documentation? Do I need to do this immediately (before I can take her out) or is there some kind of a grace period (30/60/90 days)? I would rather wait and do the change when I pull the boat out of the water for the winter (it will be easier when the boat is in it's home port and on dry land) but I'm not sure if I am allowed to wait.

Thanks as always for your guidance!

Scott

 

[knotflying]

Boat name and port need to be on the boat when on the water. On another note, local law usually requires registration and it is different by state. As an example, in Florida if the boat is in state waters for more than 90 days in a calendar year and you are there temporarily then you need what is called a sojourners permit. Rhode island is 30 days. Each state is different. What is important is that you display a sticker from some state. I know that Michigan is very diligent in pulling people over without a state sticker. If they do pull you over they will then run you through the ringer to get a state registration out of you and even sales tax. Remember, the burden of proof is on you. You will have to prove you were not in a particular state for a given period of time.
Documentation is meant to protect you somewhat in international waters and have a secure means of title, which most lenders require. It is not intended to avoid local registration or sales tax in the state where the boat is usually domiciled.

 

[daveo]

We went through this a year ago. We were first issued a temporary number. We were in Nanaimo, and I remember applying our boat name, sitting on the dock. We used that to go and come from Canada. Six (?) months later, we received our official number and we applied the number and hailing port at that time. I do not know that we were complying with the letter of the law, but no one said anything, crossing the border.

 

[knotflying]

Your name and hailing port won't change, so why not put them on?

 

[Crewdog]

It looks like a boat owner in NY MUST register with the state, regardless of whether vessel is documented with USCG.

See page 8 of NY State Boaters Guide

Owner is still required to display a square sticker on the bow, just not the registration number.

This is similar to most states in the US I believe.

Here's a link to a commercial vessel documentation service that may be helpful in answering questions about USCG documentation:
https://uscgdocumentation.us/f-a-q/

Here's a link to NY DMV registering boat info:
http://www.dmv.org/ny-new-york/boat-registration.php

Good Luck!

 

[scross]

NY registration seems very reasonable! Based on length not value - $57.50 for three years. Less than $20 a year. I'll bet the folks in Washington state (and other states) would love to have those rates!

 

[PhilR]

It cost me approx. $14,000.00 for that little square sticker that NY "sells".

 

[a_nyc_scott]

Thanks - all very useful guidance! I expected to pay the NY sales/use tax (8.875%!) - I figured there was no way around that expense. However, I just wanted to have a local captain (local to where the boat is being purchased) sail the boat up to NY for me after the purchase was completed but I don't know if can do this since the name and the hailing port will change when I document it (and I won't be able to change them on the boat before it gets to NY). Not sure the penalty if the transit/delivery captain gets pulled over by the coast guard and the docs don't match the name on the boat.

 

[knotflying]

So, since you will be registering it in New York get it registered and then Fedex the registration and sticker to your captain.
The documentation issue will then be secondary.