Can I sail a boat before it's registered?

[nightsky]

I'm buying a boat in Connecticut and sailing it to NY. Can I sail it before having it titled (title in NY, registration in CT I believe) in my name?

[sailingfool]

To try to help you we'd need to know:
- is the boat documented
- what is your state of residence
- how long will the boat be in CT

[nightsky]

Hi,
The boat is registered in Connecticut. I will be sailing it shortly after purchase (a day or two) to NY. My state of residence is NY.
Thanks.

[sailingfool]

You have still missed the most important question: is the boat USCG documented.

I would say you dont want to do anything with Connecticut other than get out of town in 90 days or so. You can get your answers, documented vessel or not, here:
NYS DMV - Frequently Asked Questions

It's interesting to see that even the State of New York gets confused about documentation versus registration, when they say: "Title certificates are not issued for boats that do not match the description above or for boats registered with the Coast Guard. "

[nightsky]

Thanks for the info,
How do I find out if it is USCG documented?

[JimHawkins]

Yes, you can sail the boat. You'd be wise to make sure you have insurance in case you hit someone or sink the boat, but there is no legal requirement to do so. And what SF is trying to say is that you have 90 days (depends on the state, some are 60, some might be more) to get it out of CT or they will want some tax money.

[nightsky]

Thanks for your help.

[RhythmDoctor]

Originally Posted by nightsky

Thanks for the info,
How do I find out if it is USCG documented?

Enter the boat's name here:

Office of Science and Technology

Originally Posted by JimHawkins

Yes, you can sail the boat. You'd be wise to make sure you have insurance in case you hit someone or sink the boat, but there is no legal requirement to do so. And what SF is trying to say is that you have 90 days (depends on the state, some are 60, some might be more) to get it out of CT or they will want some tax money.

In addition to CT's requirement that you get out within a certain time, NY will likely have a time limit by which you must register the boat (and pay sales tax). In PA this limit is only 20 days. If you miss this deadline you pay a fine and interest. They don't care about the other state's time limit.