US Documentation for UK boat?

[Headman]

We are thinking about buying a 30 foot vessel that is currently registered in the UK. The owner has already paid the import duty. Does anybody know what paperwork we are going to need to document this vessel US?
Thank you.
Tom S.

[RobHoman]

You will start by having all of the paperwork that applies to the vessel, especially proof that the "duties" have in fact been paid. You will also have to have paperwork or be able to prove that there are no liens or chattels on the vessel, this will be needed to get a title on the boat.

I might suggest that the best way to find out exactly what you need to do would be to contact the nice lady at BOAT/US who does the "documenting" for BOAT/US members.

[kimberlite]

documenting a boat from overseas i believe is complicated and you will need a person who does that for a living do it for you.
to be documented the boat has to be traced back to the original factory and first owner and shows a clear title much like a house from the first owner and factory through the succession of owners to you. on my boats documentation for a us made and owned boat it lists all the owners and the dated of manufacture. just by buying the boat from the current owner does not assure you of a clear title or the ability to document the boat. i would make sure the boat is documentable before buying it.
eric

[hamiam]

I did the documentation on my last two boats myself; in my opinion, it is not so complicated that one needs to pay alot for someone to compile the documents you provide. In any case, your first stop should be the National Vessel Documentation Web Sitte. The USCG likes you to use its forms and I have found that the process goes alot smoother if you use their bill of sale, for example. The procedures are outlined quite well in the documentation package. Good luck.

[Headman]

Thanks hamian,
I found the NVDC web site last night. I paid last time and thought it seemed expensive. From what I learned on the site last night, it doesn''t seem that hard. Thanks for the suggestion to use their forms.
Tom S.

[kimberlite]

is your boat from the uk or us origin?
if it is from the uk i would still be wary about buying a boat from offshore without making sure the boat has a squeaky clean title. a maritime lein goes with the boat and not the owner and could have been on the boat from 3 owners ago. a friend of mine bought a swan in the mediterranean and 3 years after he bought the boat they tracked the boat down and he had to pay a $37,000 yard bill from a previous owner and he had no recourse.
eric
eric

[kimberlite]

i forgot to ask how are you going to get the boat from the uk?
i shipped my previous boat to europe and the freight was astronomical.
eric