USCG Documentation pros/ cons

[HEK]

I’m about to take possession of a USCG Documented R-27. I’m in WA so I have to register with the state regardless. Seems like the only benefits to having the documentation is no need to have WN #s on the hull and it “may” make crossing the Canadian/ US boarder easier. I don’t recall it being a big deal when we had an undocumented vessel. It also sounds like an added cost above the annual WA registration. Any compelling arguments one way or the other out there. I searched the forum but didn’t see much about pros/cons for WA. Thanks!

 

[zekeandboone]

Good Morning Kurt!
Welcome to the Fluid Motion family.
I have heard that some banks require USCG documentation. They say it makes it easier to repo a boat outside of the US.
We documented our R27OB, but did not on our R25SC nor our current R31. I don't see any pros or cons. If you do it, beware of 3rd parties offering to renew the paperwork for a fee. Easy to do yourself!
See you on the water!

 

[gswearin]

I'd agree with Steve. I went with USCG for my current boat, thinking it would help if ever get rid of it, but my R29 was not and we had no issues going to and from Canada.

 

[Submariner]

I’m about to take possession of a USCG Documented R-27. I’m in WA so I have to register with the state regardless. Seems like the only benefits to having the documentation is no need to have WN #s on the hull and it “may” make crossing the Canadian/ US boarder easier. I don’t recall it being a big deal when we had an undocumented vessel. It also sounds like an added cost above the annual WA registration. Any compelling arguments one way or the other out there. I searched the forum but didn’t see much about pros/cons for WA. Thanks!

USCG documentation adds $28/year over the WA state registration. I pay it 5 years at a time. It doesn't make getting into Canada any easier or harder. USCG Documentation is a federal title. Most bank loans, when they get over $150k'ish will mandate the vessel be documented. With a federal title (instead of a state one), which is what documentation is, it makes it harder to sell a stolen boat in the US, which is why banks would mandate it on bigger loans.

I documented Channel Surfing for vanity reasons. It's too nice a looking boat to stick WN numbers on both sides of the bow, in my opinion.

 

[S. Todd]

I second what Submariner said. Bank required it when we bought our R25SC back in 2015. When we bought our R29 in 2021 we didn't want to deal with the look of the State numbers on the Hull and thought the cost of the federal documentation was nominal for whatever protection it provided in making it harder to sell if stolen.

 

[HEK]

This is very helpful. Thank you all!

 

[Eagle 2]

As I understand it, taking your boat across the US border, specifically Mexico for us down here, requires a Documented boat, not registered. Not sure why the Canadian border would be different, but that's what I've been told by the port captain in Ensenada when we were clearing papers for a delivery.

 

[Submariner]

Interestingly enough, all Canadian flagged boats are documented within Canada. (Similar system to that of the USA). If you buy a boat in Canada and go to import it into the USA, the documentation has to be released within Canada before you can import it.

 

[Rode Trip]

I only see disadvantages to documenting. It's an added cost, makes it easier to have a lien placed on your boat (banks want you to document because they can file a federal lien in any state in the country, but on a state titled boat the boat can be taken out of state and it's much harder to put the lien on), and technically makes your boat the property of the US government which can be seized in a time of war (I know, not likely to happen). I don't know anything about going to Canada, but boats with Florida titles travel the entire Caribbean without problems today.
Fortunately they fixed what used to be another disadvantage a few years ago. Before, the public database had your name and address that anyone could look up, now they only see the HIN, Doc #, and any Coast Guard boardings or incidents that have ever occurred with your boat.

 

[it4llc]

I know the original question was from WA state, but here in Washington DC, having a boat documented avoids the local registration and tax, saving a lot of money.

 

[William Sanborn]

Am in Oregon and always just had State Registration, but when we took our 30 ft Sail boat to Canada we had to buy a US Customs Tag. Our Ranger Tug 27 is Very Happy just sailing the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

 

[Submariner]

Am in Oregon and always just had State Registration, but when we took our 30 ft Sail boat to Canada we had to buy a US Customs Tag. Our Ranger Tug 27 is Very Happy just sailing the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.

Per the USCG's spec's, the R27-OB is 29.2' long and DTOPS is required for 30' and longer, just for reference.

 

[William Sanborn]

Per the USCG's spec's, the R27-OB is 29.2' long and DTOPS is required for 30' and longer, just for reference.

We have a true Ranger Tug 27 complete with Yanmar Diesel Engine, NO OUTBOARD MOTOR. And I am sure it is less than 28' stem to stern.
Thanks for the clairfication.