USCG Documentation Service

[FritzN]

The boat that I'm buying is currently documented with the USCG. Can someone recommend a reliable service that facilitates the transfer. I'm closing on September 22nd and a condition of my title insurance company is that all required paperwork be submitted to the USCG within a very narrow window after the close, so I need someone good.

Thanks,

Fritz

[camaraderie]

Fritz...don't know anyone I could recommend but are you aware that you can do it all yourself quite cheaply and within a few hours of your closing since it is a previously documented boat? It is not at all hard.USCG National Vessel Documentation Center, FAQ Page

[dougklay]

I would do the documentation yourself - save anywhere from $200-400 bucks. I did mine earlier this year. It really is not too hard. You can go to the coast guard website (sry can't post link because of post count - search for NVDC) and download the docs yourself and fill them out. They can then be faxed in and even paid via credit card. If you get stuck, the CG help desk in WVa were really very helpful. I don't have the forms in front of me, but I think it was a CG1340 (bill of sale,from the broker of PO), CG1258 (documentation) and a credit card auth.

[FritzN]

I have a very frantic week ahead of me, and just don't have the time.

[artbyjody]

Originally Posted by FritzN

I have a very frantic week ahead of me, and just don't have the time.

Your title company probably then would have a recommendation or the brokers you are dealing with...either two sources then will get what you need (and brokers will normally handle it for you ... the fee will be around $160-380$ on average to have them do it)...

[JT1019]

Call Marie, she is the best I have worked with. She will take care of everything for you and her fees are very low. Please feel free to PM me if you have any questions or want info on how much she charged me.

Marie A. Hayward
New England Marine Documentation
10 Mt. Vernon St. Box 253
Winchester, MA 01890
Tel (781) 721-4500
Fax (781) 721-5509
On The Web At New England Marine Documentation * Marine Title

[camaraderie]

Another choice...$150 fee + Coast Guard fees.
Vessel Documentation and Boat Registration Services - MarineTitle.com

[sailingdog]

BoatUS also has a documentation service as well.

[SVCarolena]

Originally Posted by FritzN

I have a very frantic week ahead of me, and just don't have the time.

Honestly, it will take you just at much time to give the service doing the documentation all the information as it would to just fill out the form. I did mine last year and it took me less than 30 mins. to download the forms, fill them out, and fax everything to the CG. On the other hand, if you decide to pay someone, I would probably go with BoatUS, as SD suggested. Keep in mind that after you submit the paperwork, it will be a couple of months before you get the documentation. This will be the case whether you do it yourself or pay a service. In some states you will not be able to use the boat until you get the documentation back. IMHO, this is the way they try to force you to pay sales tax even though you don't need to have a state registration. Anyway - Congrats on the new boat!

[sailingdog]

Actually, when BoatUS did my documentation, I got my documentation paperwork back in less than a month. IIRC, you can use the boat in most states without the paperwork aboard, if you have have copies of the bill of sale and the application for USCG documentation aboard her.

Even if you don't have to pay for state registration, you WILL NEED TO PAY ANY APPLICABLE SALES TAX. USCG Documentation doesn't exclude you from the need to pay sales tax in whatever jurisdiction you will be using/keeping the boat.

Originally Posted by SVCarolena

Honestly, it will take you just at much time to give the service doing the documentation all the information as it would to just fill out the form. I did mine last year and it took me less than 30 mins. to download the forms, fill them out, and fax everything to the CG. On the other hand, if you decide to pay someone, I would probably go with BoatUS, as SD suggested. Keep in mind that after you submit the paperwork, it will be a couple of months before you get the documentation. This will be the case whether you do it yourself or pay a service. In some states you will not be able to use the boat until you get the documentation back. IMHO, this is the way they try to force you to pay sales tax even though you don't need to have a state registration. Anyway - Congrats on the new boat!