Documenting Boat

[McAritaville]

Bank requires the boat to be documented. Anyone know how long the process takes, plus can you use the boat while you wait for the document to arrive in the mail? Boat will be docked in Massachusetts.

Thanks,
James

 

[Matty]

It typically takes a few months. But the actual assigned # comes earlier and you get a letter stating number that you can provide if stopped. Check state rules. In Florida we still have to pay annual fee but do not display number on side of boat. The state just wants there $$.
Either dealer or bank usually helps with the process and they can give a letter as well.

 

[scross]

Im surprised your bank has that requirement. Our boat was USCG documented by the original owner. When we brought the boat back to the USA from Canada we registered it in Oregon. Documented vs state registration wasn’t an issue with M&T bank.

 

[knotflying]

Bank requires the boat to be documented. Anyone know how long the process takes, plus can you use the boat while you wait for the document to arrive in the mail? Boat will be docked in Massachusetts.

Thanks,
James

Process is fairly painless as long as you submit everything properly. Probably a few months to get the certificate, but as stated you get a letter and number beforehand. Also, and very important, you really do need to register the boat in your state. Every state is different. It can range from 30 days to 90 days, but if you are in any particular state for their prescribed duration they want you to register. I actually register in Florida and Rhode Island since I am in both longer than allowed. You can most likely get away with one state since monitoring length of stay is an almost impossible task, but it has been done. Michigan is the worst. If they see you without a state sticker they automatically claim that it needs to be registered in their state and they also try to get the sales tax since you are only documented, which infers that you never paid sales tax.

 

[trailertrawlerkismet]

When you do register for documentation print out the form filled, confirmation number or whatever you can to carry with you until the final paperwork arrives. In addition you can go onto the USGC documentation page to print off your documentation information, once they’ve registered your boat but before you receive the final papers in the mail. This is what I’ve done so I can cruise ahead of receiving the final form. Renewals usually take 3 to 4 weeks. As Mike states, most states require your boat to be “state registered”. We have our state registration sticker on the side window but no hull numbers/letters as this is not needed with documentation.....as long as you follow the documentation guidelines.

Jim F

 

[rackline]

As others have said, print all the paperwork you've filed and keep on the boat because your tax dollars aren't hard at work at the NVDC. You don't have to register in MA, but need to pay excise to the town where you dock/moor.
Chris

 

[bluestreak]

We bought our R-27 late last fall.
It took almost 5 MONTHS to get the actual documentation paperwork.
We live in Utah and the boat is in charter in WA.
Have to pay WA tax (they want every nickel they can get) but no WA numbers need be applied.
Doc number permanently attached to the boat.

 

[tschneid]

I just got mine and I bought the boat in July 2019!!


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