Joe, My Marinette is USCG Documented. When I financed mine with Suntrust Bank they handled everything. From what I remember after it was documented I had to forfeit my state title since the document is basically a national title. The only problem i have had with the document is that it is only good for 1 year. Every year the USCG sends you a new document. Each time I have received mine it usually has an error. The first error showed my big M with a fiberglass hall. The 2nd error left the year as unknown. Who knows what next year's error will be.

Steve

Joe conact Peggy Vann at Vann Vessel documentation 706-937-6788, mention Sorrydog, She has done all my work for 25 years and will be less expensive than the prices you mentioned. Also had my boat documented for chartering as you are trying to do, then found out here in Fl. you can do charters with a Fl. title. Didnt need to go thru all the hassle any way.

Well Saturdays mail brought me a Fact of Build letter from Marinette and John.

Thank You John!

The only question I had was that the beam, in the letter, was listed as 9'. I thought I measured almost 10' from rail to rail. And the depth of hold was listed as 2' and measuring from mid ship deck line (as stipulated in the USCG "Simplified Mesurement" instructions) to the keel I measured closer to 54". I can only assume that John used the the depth of hull below the water line. Reguardless I am very pleased to be able to file my paperwork for documentation now.

Thanks Again!

Documentation: What a joke! The real reason that many folks documented was an attempt to avoid paying state sales taxes and property taxes! DE was a very popular port of documentation for that very reason.

Since then many states have wised up and require all vessels operating within there state for 60 days are required to have state registration. I worked 30 years as a boating enforcement officer and some of the rudist skippers I dealt with were those that had "documented" vessels and actually thought they were exempt from state jurisdiction. Not true boys and girls!

Also banks at one time insisted on documentation for vessels that qualified because of the first perferred mortage issued. This document was accepted across state lines and many states did not have a titling system in place.

Now mmost staes DO have titling and the need for documentation really on comes into play if you are leaving U.S. waters. (That is an other topic of discussion)

Bottom line is belly up to the tax bar it is getting difficult to avoid those state taxes. I dropped my documentation years ago and pay my fair share period. I also have been known to inform my enforcement brothers of obvious and intentional violators. I pay my taxes.. complain but I do pay them and expect others to do the same!

Enough.. ahhhh I feel better.. LOL

Oh,, the documentation center is staffed by a few elderly ladies in "Falling Waters" VA.
safe boating,
dave

I bought my boat out of state and had a title abstract done. It had been documented and I transfered it to my name. The USCG title & liens trump state title and liens. For me it was a little extra peace of mind. The cost difference is minimal. You still have to pay the sales tax / excise fee. I save a few bucks on letters and decals and the state sticker for documented vessels is $30 less than for state titled vessels. On the other hand my boat's name and hailing port MUST be on the boat in 4" or larger block letters. Do not use your boat without the proper name and hailing port. The fines are outrageous. They also restrict the names you can use. They wouldn't let me use "Any Vessel" or "Radio Check"

You can look up any boat name here http://www.iwr.usace.arm...char/veslcharsearch.htm

Try putting in your boat name and see who else is using the same name.

Or try part of name like Money. Beer Money, SHETAKEMYMONEYANDRUN, All My Money, etc

John

I was flat out amazed that my documentation came through in under two weeks!

On older boats the fact of build letter is a problem that a "New Boat" would not have since you would have the builders documentation of the boat to show it was built in the old US of A. I think it is about 5 years before the black hole swallows that up unless you treat it with some anti-matter. :-)