Quick question

[poopdeckpappy]

Resently bought a older sailboat ( 1969 Islander), one to fix up and screw around with, question is, What does it mean when it says " Undocumented Vessel " on the registration

[hereicome]

Documented Vessels are registered with the Government, this way in a State of Emergency they can call on you to serve in some way to help the Nation.
Moving this here moving that there taking a 2nd Lt. to the Front. This is what i was told any way......but HAY i might be Wrong...it would be the first time dont ya know. LOL

[poopdeckpappy]

Ahhh, interesting, thanks

[SmartCaptain]

Hi Pappy,
Many banks require a boat to be documented as part of granting a boat loan on an expensive boat. Documentation creates a paper trail of ownership and helps to verify that the boat is free of any lien.

If you plan on using your boat commercially, the USCG requires the boat to be documented.

Note that documenting (registering) the boat federally doesn't exempt you from registering the boat (and probably paying taxes) with your state of residence.

I've heard discussions similar to Hereicome's about what the federal govt can do in wartime (e.g. requisition your boat), but I've never been able to verify with any reference to a statute.

Hope this helps,

Jeff

www.smartcaptain.com

[Shack]

I also believe that a documented vessel is one that is recognized internationally. If one was to sail international waters or to foreign shores - it would be prudent to have your boat documented, as it has legal ramifications ofr being a "flagged" vessel.

I wouldn't worry about the government having any interest in pressing your boat into service unless you could carry 1000 tons of supplies or transport people to places faster than a jetliner. We're not that short on large documented sea and air vessels quite yet.

[sailingdog]

A USCG documented vessel is a nationally registered vessel and has some serious advantages over a state registered vessel, especially if travelling in foreign waters.

The USCG documentation process is a bit more rigorous than state registration with regards to liens, loans, using the boat as collateral, tracking the boat.

USCG documentation may be less expensive in the long run, if you are planning on keeping your boat a long time. It is a one time fee of $300 or so. Many states do not require you to pay state registration fees or have the boat registered in the state if you are documented. You generally do have to pay local taxes though.

USCG documented boats also are recognized by foreign governments, and in some cases that may result in paying less when travelling abroad. State registered vessels are often charged customs entry fees at each port in a foreign country, where USCG documented vessels are charged upon entry and can go from port-to-port within the country and then checkout from customs upon leaving.

The idea of the government drafting a sailboat into use is fairly ludicrous. Most private sailboats aren't of the size, cargo carrying capacity or speed necessary in today's world.

[Canibul]

"Hi Sailor, my name is Senator Ted Kennedy. Me and John Kerry would like to take your ketch down to check on the illegal Haitian immigrant problem....."

(sorry, I couldnt resist)

Do you know if residence in the US is required to federally document your boat if one is a US Citizen living abroad? Probably so, I imagine...

[PBzeer]

Originally Posted by Canibul

"Hi Sailor, my name is Senator Ted Kennedy. Me and John Kerry would like to take your ketch down to check on the illegal Haitian immigrant problem....."

(sorry, I couldnt resist)

Do you know if residence in the US is required to federally document your boat if one is a US Citizen living abroad? Probably so, I imagine...

Can easily understand your lack of will. Try the Coast Guard homepage, they have pretty thourough info on documentation.

[sailingdog]

I believe you have to have a US-based mailing address for the vessel, but do not believe that you need to have a US-based residence. US Citizenship is required for USCG documentation.

[resdog]

Many people document expensive boats, especially new, expensive boats because the documenting fee is in lieu of sales tax and is usually considerably less. That's the way it is in my particular area of the US.