Duplicate Boat Names ?

[backcreeksailor]

Does the name you choose to register your boat under have to be unique for your county or state? Or can two boats have the same name?

If the former, where do you search for names that are already in use? (I'm in Annapolis Maryland).

[RocketScience]

Originally Posted by backcreeksailor

Does the name you choose to register your boat under have to be unique for your county or state? Or can two boats have the same name?

Must be OK, cuz there's about 10 zillion 'Obsessions' up here in my neck of the pond.

[PalmettoSailor]

Originally Posted by backcreeksailor

Does the name you choose to register your boat under have to be unique for your county or state? Or can two boats have the same name?

If the former, where do you search for names that are already in use? (I'm in Annapolis Maryland).

For USCG Documentation, many boats can certainly have the same name. I think there are 3 or 4 with the name of our boat and I named 2 of them. There are bunches of boats registered with popular names like "Osprey" and silly ones like "Sales(Sails) Call".

I don't think States care whether the boat is named or not, they give you a number.

[velero]

if there are any USCG documented boats with the same name.

Office of Science and Technology

[Faster]

In Canada if you want to register your boat, the name must be unique - but that is usually dealt with be appending a "II" or "III" etc behind the name.. not necessarily an ideal solution. This is only to be listed in the Canadian Shipping Registry, which is not a requirement unless you're above a certain size (65 feet IIRC). Your Registration No. must be permanently affixed to a part of the vessel below decks.

To simply license in Canada there's no restriction on the name, but then you must display a license number on the boat. Licensing is free, there is a nominal fee for Registration, which I believe includes the name search.

[gtod25]

Originally Posted by velero

if there are any USCG documented boats with the same name.

Office of Science and Technology

Just typed in my boat name and my info came up.

[sailingdog]

In the US, a lot of the less original or tackier names are repeated quite often. Sea Mist is a good example... Ecstasy in its various spellings is pretty rampant...

[swadiver]

With respect to USCG Documented vessels, boats with the same name are ok. Usually the hailing port is different. In my case I have seen one other Namaste but are hailing ports were not the same. Mine is Long Beach, Ca. What will really seperate boats with the same name and hailing ports is the vessel documentation id, which must be mounted permantly somewhere on the vessel. Mine is located below deck mounted on a bulk head. I don't think the states (at least Ca.) care. California requires a registration id mounted on the port/starboard side of the bow.

[backcreeksailor]

Originally Posted by velero

if there are any USCG documented boats with the same name.

Office of Science and Technology

Ok, so this begs the question: Are all boats (in the US) automatically USCG documented when you register them with your home state? Or is USCG documentation a separate/optional process?

I just looked up the old name of the boat I'm buying and it didn't show up in Office of Science and Technology

[mstern]

USCG documentation is a completely different process than state registration. State registration is usually no different than registering a car; its a way for the state to keep track of your vessel and collect revenue. USCG registration for recreational vessels is purely optional.