Changing to State Registration from USCG

doc007

doc007

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I am buying a documented boat but don't want to apply for a USCG document in my name. Is it possible just to let the former owner's document expire? I will pay sales tax and register the boat in my state. The CG has a form for removing a vessel from documentation but it is for the current owner (not me) to remove his vessel.

Why? you ask. I don't need it to be documented.
 
Then after you close you submit the removal form. Honestly I don’t see why you wouldn’t kee
It documented. It s a few bucks a year... no reason not to
 
November Charlie,

Could you point me to a link that says how anyone but the owner can submit a letter of deletion. Every thing I read says that you must own a documented boat to delete it from documentation. I do not want to document the boat but nowhere can I find what will allow me, as the new owner, to deal with some else's document.

PascalG...because I want to:)
 
Fair enough. Your boat your call. But I don’t see how you could cancel documentation on a boat the USCG doesn’t know you own. You can probably just let it lapse...
 
That's the way I see it Pascal but wanted to ask other opinions. If I decide to not document I'll just let the former owner's document expire. Thanks
 
doc007 said:
November Charlie,

Could you point me to a link that says how anyone but the owner can submit a letter of deletion. Every thing I read says that you must own a documented boat to delete it from documentation. I do not want to document the boat but nowhere can I find what will allow me, as the new owner, to deal with some else's document.

PascalG...because I want to:)
Click to expand...
Doubt that anyone but the owner can. At least not easily. The USCG National Vessel Documentation Center could tell you if it’s even possible. The state issuing the Certificate of Numbers will require the deletion.

You could either have the current owner do it, or transfer the Doc and do it yourself if you really want to. Can’t see any advantage in doing so, though.
 
It has been a very long time since I looked at Documentation, but IIRC, isn't there a "clause" or "rule" that documented vessels can be "drafted" into the Merchant Marine, in time of war?

As I say, it has been quite a while, and that issue may actually occur with or without documentation.

Still, at the time it was a "feature".

With that statement, I'll see myself out the door on this one... ;)
 
I called my local tax office and they said that I, as purchaser. have to notify the CG that I don't want to document and get a release paper to take to the local tax office before I can do Florida registration and get numbers for the bow. Or, and this is a new one for me, if I want to keep it in documentation I have to wait until it is documented in my name to register it with only a side sticker and no numbers on the bow. I think that I remember on previous purchases I went to the tax office with a bill of sale in my hand and they took my tax money and registered it. All this makes me inclined to just keep the boat documented. But, I may try to get the CG on the phone today.
 
Shows you how bad info can be given by local bureaucrats. No, you can (and usually must) register the boat before the documentation comes in. With a documented boat you display the sticker but not the numbers.
 
PascalG said:
Shows you how bad info can be given by local bureaucrats. No, you can (and usually must) register the boat before the documentation comes in. With a documented boat you display the sticker but not the numbers.
Click to expand...

Not always…there are a couple of states that do not require documented boats to be registered, VA being one of them.
I’m on my 4th documented boat, none were registered with VA.
Love not having state numbers plastered on my bow.

And the statement about documented boats being called up in case of war…even if true (doubtful), has it ever happened and what’s the chance of it happening in the future? Somewhere between slim and none? I think slim died and none left the country.
 
It may be helpful if we clean up some terminology here. Vessel ownership paperwork comes in one of 3 flavors: USCG Documentation; State title; or, usually for smaller boats (e.g., aluminum skiffs) a transferrable registration. It depends upon the size of vessel and state requirements. Regardless of ownership mechanism, almost all states require motorized vessels to be registered (while VA does not, most State's gotta get their $$$), proof of which is a paper reg and a sticker on the hull. Documented vessels are not required to show state registration numbers, but must show the hull sticker. State titled/transferrable registration vessels need to show state numbers and the hull sticker. Generally, that's how it works. Specific states like VA have specific requirements.

So should you shift to a title, you will need to put numbers on the hull, as well as the reg sticker. I'm with CWMS, and prefer the cleaner look of no-numbers on the hull.
 

Good Grief said:
It may be helpful if we clean up some terminology here. Vessel ownership paperwork comes in one of 3 flavors: USCG Documentation; State title; or, usually for smaller boats (e.g., aluminum skiffs) a transferrable registration. It depends upon the size of vessel and state requirements. Regardless of ownership mechanism, almost all states require motorized vessels to be registered (while VA does not, most State's gotta get their $$$), proof of which is a paper reg and a sticker on the hull. Documented vessels are not required to show state registration numbers, but must show the hull sticker. State titled/transferrable registration vessels need to show state numbers and the hull sticker. Generally, that's how it works. Specific states like VA have specific requirements.

So should you shift to a title, you will need to put numbers on the hull, as well as the reg sticker. I'm with CWMS, and prefer the cleaner look of no-numbers on the hull.
Click to expand...
It's more than one or two states that do not require USCG documented boats to be state registered. It's more like 15 or more.
 
I asked the Vessel Documentation office this question via email and got the following answer (the water is still muddy)

Dear Managing Owner,

Please be advised, each state has its respective regulations regarding how to obtain a state title registration. For further information regarding state title registration inquiries, please feel free to contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles.

Typically most states do request evidence the vessel is free of any recorded liens/mortgages via an abstract of title.

If you wish to request an abstract of title, please feel free to use the following link to submit an application for Abstract of Title: https://maritimedocumentation.us/abstract-of-title/

In addition, you may be required to remove the vessel from federal documentation with an application for Deletion of Documentation in order to pursue a state title registration.

If you wish to submit an application for Deletion of Documentation, please feel free to use the following link: https://maritimedocumentation.us/deletion-cod/

Thank you!

--
Regards,
 
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