Vessel Documentation Question

Martin610

Martin610

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 13, 2018
Messages
504
Fluid Motion Model
C-28
Vessel Name
Venture
Hi,

I recently bought a Cutwater 28 that was previously registered in Rhode Island. I am having the vessel documented by the USCG, but apparently they are months behind in processing applications.

I do have travel docs that I keep on board. I'm wondering if I should remove the RI registration numbers while I wait? Should I go ahead and change the name on the boat (after saying appropriate prayers to Neptune of course)?

Or just leave everything alone until the documentation arrives?

Thanks,

-martin
 
If it were me I’d take off all the prior owners registration numbers, stickers and name. In almost all states I know of you need to register your boat in your state of primary use. When doing this you do not need to place state numbers on your hull, only the state issued sticker placed on a side window. This will make you legal.

Even thou the USCG takes a couple of months to get your documentation papers to you they do post the information on there web sight. This is how I found mine earlier this year. When you go this sight you click on your boat name to expand the field. This page has all of your n boat information and new documentation number. Print this out to carry with you until your papers come in the mail.

Jim
 
Putting the New Name on the Vessel is legal even before documentation is complete as long as you meet the State of primary use rule. Anyone can put a name their vessel without USCG documentation! Where Documented Vessels MUST have name and Home Port.
 
P.S.: State Laws may have limitations on Names on Boats but I can't find any examples. I have no clue about Canada...
 
Our USCG registrations and documents came 10 weeks after purchase. Do we renew annually? Haven't researched that question.
 
Yes you renew annually. The USCG will send you the renewal form in the mail. Don't fall for one of the "look-like official" private firms that file the renewal paperwork for you for a $75 fee. It only takes a few minutes to send in the paperwork with a check for, if I recall correctly $30.
 
Don't know about your state requirements, however in Maryland you are required to have state registration numbers displayed on the hull and sticker until your boat is officially documented. Having application for documentation is not sufficient in Maryland. Before you scrape the state numbers off check with your state.
 
I sent in my application and check near the end of March. I got an email yesterday indicating that I didn't include the bill of sale for the boat. The boat was originally to be delivered mid-April, but delivery has been pushed off until next week so I don't have a bill of sale I can send them. I was hoping to have the documentation done when I took delivery of the boat. I did a search on the documentation web site a week ago and found that I have a number assigned to me. I am hoping that having the boat properly labeled, and a copy of the application will suffice until the documentation comes in.
 
Margaret Lower":39wbk84m said:
Our USCG registrations and documents came 10 weeks after purchase. Do we renew annually? Haven't researched that question.
Click to expand...
Yes, annual renewal. You can renew online prior to the notice coming to you in the mail. If you renew more than 60 days prior to your expiration date, they will reset your date to the renewal date. Example - Documentation expires end of June and you renew in March then your next expiration date is March next year - you would lose 3 months.. If you renew with less than 60 days to go you keep the same annual date. If your late... extra$$

I just renewed online 2 weeks ago - 58 days prior to expiration. New document came in the mail 8 days later. The nice thing about renewing online is there is no paperwork to mail. The cost is the same $26.

By the way, my renewal letter came in the mail a couple of days after I renewed online. The trigger for the document must be the 60 day out window.
 
Just to clarify Jim's Statement, and some states may be different, if a boat is documented you do not have to place the registration numbers on the boat, just the registration sticker on the side windows. Additionally, when documented there usually is not a title issued by the state since being documented is the title. So my opinion is, I would call the state you are registering in and ask them the protocol about being in the process of documenting and registering the vessel in your state.

Also, don't think because you are documented you do not have to register in a state. You do! If you are not registered in any state I know that even while just passing through Michigan and they spot you, they will claim that the boat will have to be registered in Michigan and you will have to pay the sales tax. Ouch!!

Each state has different rules about registration. Most are if you are in the state for more than 90 days you must register. We go between Florida and Rhode Island so I register in both. Look at is as the fee to play there. Will they catch you, probably not, but if they do the cost will be more, so why take the chance.
 
Thanks for all the info. I did what Jim suggested and the Coast Guard did have my official number posted. Very cool. I'm going to go ahead and change the name and post the number on the boat.

Then I get to see what adventures the State New Jersey has for me!

-martin
 
Martin610":qp878xvs said:
Thanks for all the info. I did what Jim suggested and the Coast Guard did have my official number posted. Very cool. I'm going to go ahead and change the name and post the number on the boat.

Then I get to see what adventures the State New Jersey has for me!

-martin
Click to expand...

Follow the directions to the "T" for the documentation numbers. They want "NO." before the numbers and they have to be the correct size and permanently attached, meaning destroyed if attempted to be removed. I used standard stick on letters, stuck to the starboard side hull lining in the storage under the v-berth cushion. I then applied several coats of clear epoxy over the numbers.
 
Found a place called "comfort house" that made documentation numbers to coast guard spec. So that was easy.

Turns out New Jersey does require registration. So I now have state stickers on the windows port and starboard. No numbers of course. New Jersey DMV had a trouble with the process, took forever. They say the state has a very ambiguous process that's hard to follow. Instead of sales tax you pay a "use tax". More like an abuse tax if you ask me.

Thanks again for all the help.

-martin
 
In Massachusetts, if a boat is USCG-documented, it does not have to be state registered.

YOLO is documented, however, my inflatable is registered.
 
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