CG documentation - new policy

[cwms]

I just read on another boating forum that starting Jan 2022, the CG doc office will only offer 5 year renewals for $130. No more single year renewal.
And as a reminder, currently, the CG offers single year renewal for $26. If someone wants $75, it’s a (legal) scam.

 

[Brian N]

More info on the scam can be found here:

USCG Documentation renewal

I may have missed this discussion but did it really jump from $26 to $75? Thanks, Rob

www.boatered.com

 

[alk]

Is there any good reason to document a recreational boat, assuming you never leave US waters? I documented a boat 20 years ago, but can't remember why. I think I still had to pay state fees? Or is my memory fading? I had two boats at the time, the documented one had no loan, the undocumented one had a loan. But keep reading that banks may require it, which was not true in my case.

 

[cwms]

Yep, they got me 4 years ago. I’ve made it my mission to inform as many people as possible, both here and other boating forums.

 

[cwms]

Is there any good reason to document a recreational boat, assuming you never leave US waters? I documented a boat 20 years ago, but can't remember why. I think I still had to pay state fees? Or is my memory fading? I had two boats at the time, the documented one had no loan, the undocumented one had a loan. But keep reading that banks may require it, which was not true in my case.

You are right, most states still make you pay registration fees on documented boats. I’m in VA, one of the few states that don’t require state registration.
I also like (a lot) not having state numbers plastered on my bow. To me, that is worth $26 a year to renew.

 

[abalmuth]

NY requires you to registrar documented boats mainly to ensure sales tax is paid. need to show Reg sticker but not numbers.

 

[PascalG]

Cruising outside the US with a state registered boat is acceptable at least into the Bahamas which is pretty much the only foreign country american boaters venture into. Canada is a popular destination too but I m sure they allow non doc’d vessels as well


since so many boats are financed, i suspect banks are the reason most vessels are documented since a ship mortgage is a lot more secure and enforced if needed by the US Marshal service

I don’t see how registration numbers are a visual issue.... maybe on a Hinckley or Vicem but honestly aesthetics don’t seem to be high on the list of most boats owners these days