Documemted Boat question

[Legend]

The 2004 Sailfish I just purchased was due to be launched this weekend, The dealer called and told me that since the boat was federally documented they would either have to request a cancellation of the documentation which would take 3 weeks or change the documented name which would take a day,
Does anyone have experience with a documented boat . Pros and Cons. I have had a name applied on both sides of the bow. I understand the boat also has to have a hailing port on the hull. Can the hailing port be on the stern of the boat or does it have to be with the name.
I have also read that their are some documentation numbers that have to be installled permanently somewhere inside the boat. What does permanent mean and how have you installed so it is considered permanent?

Sorry for so many question but I do not want to miss my Friday launch date. Any help appreciated!!

 

[ocnslr]

It isn't clear from your post whether this vessel had been documented by the previous owner, and the documentation is being transferred to you, or if you are just now documenting a vessel that had previously been state registered.

In either case, your Friday launch is likely in jeopardy.

You should be able to find the info you need here:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm

Brian

 

[leek]

Documentation

I have the 38 documented. It is primarily to allow the Coast Guard to pursue your boat if it is taken out of US waters by a thief or unauthorized user. We are close to Canada so I chose to do the documentation. The numbers I had inscribed on a plastic type plate in fairly tall letters (3") and then I epoxied the plate to the lazerette. I did post the port of call on the stern.

 

[Capt Bill]

You may find the answers to your questions here:

http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm

 

[Legend]

Sorry about the lack of clarity . The boat was previosly documented. We were told by the dealer that it would take 3 weeks to remove the documentation or we could do a transfer and the dealer would pick up the cost since they were the ones should have have cancelled the documentation befroe selling the boat. Sounds confusing At this point I am thinking it may be worth the wait to cancel the documentation and then just title and register the boat with the state.

 

[Capt Bill]

If you just wanted to buy the boat, and register it in your name, there's really no documentation to "cancel". Vessels are documented to a particular (named) owner or agent, a vessel name and hailing port. All of this is on the papers.

Documentation is renewed annually only if nothing has changed. By buying the boat, and registering it in your name, the documentation is voided. The dealer or original owner COULD send the doc paper back to the CG indicating it has been sold, but even if thawasn't done, it would no longer be a documented vessel.

 

[SBLGFD]

I recently purchased a ‘96 sailfish that was documented as well. I wanted to remove the documentation and register it with the Wisconsin DNR. I received good assistance from both the State DNR and the documentation service office for the USCG. In order to register the boat in Wisconsin I was required to obtain a letter of deletion from the documented vessel registry. Basically a letter from the USCG stating it’s no longer a documented vessel. To do this I wrote a letter to the USCG providing all the previous owners information, Registration number and Hull ID#. I also provided them a copy of the bill of sale. They have a secured fax line so that you can put your credit card number on the letter if you wish to expedite the process. I believe the cost was $15.00 and it took 10-14 days. On the receipt of the letter I provided a copy of the letter, a bill of sale, and registration form along with the proper payment to the State DNR and was issued a registration number. Registration showed up yesterday, total time start to finish 8 weeks

 

[Legend]

SBLGFD
Curious as to why you did not want it documented. Are there benefits to having it registered instead?

Thanks

 

[Gary M]

When we bought our 2001 Marlin two years ago, it was documented. We needed to get a loan to buy it and my wife would also be on the title. She's a New Zealand citizen so it was mandatory that we cancel the documentation in order to get the boat.

Also, we always think re-sale and it's a LOT easier to sell a state titled boat. For a $225 fee the nice folks at Vero Marine Center organized the paperwork. It did take some time (a few weeks?), but it was worth it......

 

[Grog]

I don't know about other countries but how do you prove you own the boat without a title?

 

[SBLGFD]

To answer the question Document V/S State registered. For us it was a matter of personal choice and preference. We certainly could have left it registered but it does seem that having it registered creates a certain amount of confusion if you try to sell the boat and additional questions and speculation. Around here (North East Wisconsin ) you see very few documented boats. Also thru the change to State Registry we were issued a Wisconsin Certificate of Title

SBLGFD