Coast Guard Documentation

[SV Tatyana]

Sorry if this topic has already been discussed but I am a new 25D owner and would like to CG document her. My concerns/questions are that the last 3 owners haven't documented the boat. I have the certificate but it expired in May of '87. Has anyone else documented a boat with this situation. When I contacted the coast guard they wanted me to have a bill of sale from the last documented owner in order to renew.. maybe there was some confusion...seems like there must be a better way? Any suggestions greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Rich

[Jim Walsh]

If the CG has requested a bill of sale from the last documented owner I'd suggest contacting the previous owners to see if you can acquire the document requested. I'd presume a previous owner would be compliant. If not, contact the CG and inquire as to plan B. They must have experienced this many times in the past.

[Sea Hunt Video]

Rich:

If I am reading your post correctly, your CD 25D was last documented more than 26 years ago, presumably well before computers, Microsoft, Apple, ASCII, websites, etc.

I ain't no expert by any means, but what about the avenue of just sending in new paperwork, requesting a new USCG Documentation Number, etc. As part of the submission package you could attach a letter that explains your CD 25D was documented more than 26 years ago but the three(3) prior owners did not renew the USCG documentation and you are effectively "starting over".

Just a thought.

When I documented S/V Bali Ha'i with the USCG it was easy peezy weezy. I talked with the documentation office in West Virginia ( ) and they were amazingly helpful, cooperative, etc. Of course, S/V Bali Ha'i had not been previously documented. Your previous documentation may make a big difference to the USCG.

Just a thought.

I wish everyone a Safe and Happy Holiday Season

[rorik]

i went through the same issue with Mathilda earlier this year. USCG had me do the following:
Fill out the "new" documentation request. Make copies of every scrap of of "chain of title" dating back to the last documentation period. Mail all of it certified with a return receipt to the USCG. Along with your certified check for the fees.
I did all of that and got my temporary Certificate of Documentation in about a month and the final version 4 - 5 months after that.
I don't know how much it's changed since then, but at the time I did it, the USCG had a "4 months and counting" backlog.

[Dick Kobayashi]

A curiosity question. What is the advantage of USCG documentation vs state registration?

[pete faga]

Hi Dick
No need to put state registry numbers on the hull?? Also keeps the future sale of the boat more legit.

[Neil Gordon]

A curiosity question. What is the advantage of USCG documentation vs state registration?

Documentation is what changes our little boats into little ships.

[Steve Laume]

It is also supposed to be easier to clear through foreign ports than with a state registration. Raven is not currently documented and I was a bit concerned when approaching Bermuda. I never really thought they would tell me to go away because I didn't have CG documentation but I was braced for some hassles. There were none to be had and the same was true of Canadian customs. I had all my other numbers for them and just told them I had a state registration and we went on from there. If I were cruising farther afield I would not chance going without being documented, Steve.

[mashenden]

A curiosity question. What is the advantage of USCG documentation vs state registration?

I believe another advantage is the one time cost of the CG Documentation, vs a recurring cost by most (all?) states, although I believe the break even was something like 10 years using VA's cost structure.

I too feel they must have a means to get past the lack of documentation for x years. Its not like state registration is a new issue. Its just a matter of finding the right bureaucrat.

Apparently "4 months and counting" got worst with the government shut down. I submitted my app in May and recieved my temporary certificate after a few nit picky hassles... but I'm still waiting on the final version.

[Steve Laume]

In CT you still have to register with the state and put a different colored sticker on the boat but you do not have to have the state registration numbers on the bow. They still get their money, Steve.

[Neil Gordon]

In MA there's no state registration for documented boats but you do need to pay state sales tax (once) and local excise tax (annually).

[bgephart]

John Vigor had a good piece re documentation in his Sept 29, 2013 blog. I found it interesting and informative, like most of his blogs. Here's a link:
http://www.johnvigor.blogspot.com/2013/ ... untry.html

[Bob Brown]

My understanding is each state has their own rules for boat registration. Many have time limits, days in their waters, after which you will need to pay sales tax and register your boat. One could use Federal Documentation for registration if you didn't leave your boat in any state past their time limits. This would allow you to avoid state registration and paying sales tax. If you spent your summer in Maine and LI sound, fall in MD & VA and the winter in the islands you wouldn't have to register or pay sales tax on your boat. All states know this and many keep track of the expensive boats in their waters and go after them if they exceed their stay.

Federal documentation is like title insurance on your boat in which the Coast Guard checks the trail of ownership and makes sure the boat wasn't stolen. You are better off purchasing a boat that is documented. Others would be better suited to comment on the international travel requirements.

[Sea Hunt Video]

S/V Bali Ha'i is USCG documented. In Florida, I still have to buy an annual "sticker" that must be displayed on the vessel.

My reason for applying for USCG documentation was simple: if I was ever attacked by pirates in Biscayne Bay or the Florida Keys I could raise the USCG on the VHF while repelling boarders with my Browning .50 cal. I "assume" the USCG would quickly deploy to rescue a USCG documented vessel under attack by pirates.

On a more serious note, I think the Cape Dory 25D is the smallest Cape Dory that can get USCG documentation. Someone on this board (possibly Commodore Bill in OK ) sent me sample paperwork, etc. to apply for documentation. There are certain "nautical terms" that MUST be used in order to get past the certification/documentation process. As I write this, it is also possible Fran in SC sent me the sample forms. Not sure.

I wish everyone on this board and their family and friends a Safe and Happy New Year

Felice Anno Nuovo

[SV Tatyana]

Hello everyone,

Hopefully someone can help me out with this. So I just went ahead and applied as a new registration with the coast guard. I copied measurements from the previous documentation and just yesterday I recieved a letter stating that these measurements dont meet their 5 net ton requirement. I just got off the phone with them and that got me nowhere. I thought I had read somewhere previously about the 25D being grandfathered in as they have recently changed their way of measuring but when I mentioned this to the lady she said they haven't changed anything in the last 30 years since she's been there..

anyway the measurments I used for a 25D are:
Length: 25.2
Depth: 6.3
Beam: 8

Again these were taken directly off the old documentation so at some point they must have worked, anyone who has previously documented a 25d have any tips?

Thanks,
Richard