Clarifiction Coast Guard Documentation

A

archangel73

Member
Jul 29, 2012
78
Kenosha, WI
Boat Info
2004 Sea Ray 48 MY
Engines
Cummins QSM11; Onan Generator
So this is my first boat that I had documented with the Coast Guard. I received the certificate in the mail earlier this week, and I know I need to put the official number in the bilge area starting off with "NO" first.

Two questions I have:

1. When mounting the numbers in the bildge area where should I place them? I thought about placing them next to the "Illegal Discharge" sticker on the engine hatch. Any recommendations?

2. I have the boat "titled" in IL, but it is not registered with IL. If I read the IL DNR website correctly, it states I only need to register the boat with IL if I will be using IL waterways for more than 60 days. Since I boat on Lake Michigan only, am I reading the rules/law correctly that I don't need to have anything else? I have the name of the boat and homeport on the boat, so I meet USCG rules.

Thanks!
 
I ordered a documentation board from these guys.... http://www.documentationboards.com/products.htm

You can place it anywhere in the bilge but it needs to attached to a permanent part of the boat and secured permanently in a manner that will be obvious if it's removed....ie: glued with sufficient adhesive to leave behind residue and to make it really hard to get off.

Many people use vinyl lettering and glue over the numbers with rubber cement or some sort of shellack.

Can't help with question #2.
 
1) From FAQ at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#15
The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded by the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.

2) Are you boating within the state boundaries which include part of Lake Michigan?
From http://www.dnr.illinois.gov/recreation/boating/Documents/BoatDigest.pdf

Registration And Titling

Boats which must be registered and titled: All watercraft operated on the waters
within the jurisdiction of this state shall be registered and titled.
Boats exempted from registration and titling: Watercraft shall not be required to
be registered and titled under this Act if it is:

1. A watercraft which has a valid marine document issued by the United
States Coast Guard, EXCEPT THAT any such documented vessel used
upon the waters of this State for more than 60 days in any calendar year
shall be registered in compliance with this Act.

2. Already covered by a number in full force and effect from another
state, if such boat will not be within this State for a period in excess of
60 consecutive days.
 
For mounting the number, I buy vinyl letters/numbers and a small fiberglass repair kit, stick them on then use the epoxy out of the kit to seal them in. I usually attach to a stringer in the bilge. where it's visible with the hatch open.
 
Ahhhh. So that's what that big number attached the the stringer in my bilge was for. Now that my boat is undocumented (had to pay $100 to do that) and instead registered with the state, can I remove that number?
 
Woody said:
1) From FAQ at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/nvdcfaq.asp#15
The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded by the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.
Click to expand...

ZZ13 said:
Ahhhh. So that's what that big number attached the the stringer in my bilge was for. Now that my boat is undocumented (had to pay $100 to do that) and instead registered with the state, can I remove that number?
Click to expand...

How are you going to explain the "scarring" to the next owner?
 
Ahhhh. So that's what that big number attached the the stringer in my bilge was for. Now that my boat is undocumented (had to pay $100 to do that) and instead registered with the state, can I remove that number?​
Click to expand...


On the contrary, I would leave it there. If you change your mind and decide to document the boat, you will already have the official number assigned to the boat. The same for any future owner. When documenting an old boat that has changed hands more than a few times, it is often very difficult for the owner to trace the history of ownership. Leaving the number there will make it easier.​
 
What is the purpose of documenting with uscg. Are there any perks or advantages? Ive herd of registering with them but never understood why.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
What is the purpose of documenting with uscg. Are there any perks or advantages? Ive herd of registering with them but never understood why.
Click to expand...
Best I could figure out when I was researching if I should keep mine documented or not was the following:

1. Guarantees a clear title on the boat - so loan companies like it and usually require it (I didn't/don't have loan)
2. Gives you some clout if you get stopped in international waters by other governments (I don't boat in international waters)

I couldn't figure out anything else useful to the boatowner - awaiting the real experts to post
 
Just a question, why did you un doc the boat?
 
dwna1a said:
Just a question, why did you un doc the boat?
Click to expand...
It was strictly financial bottom line. I don't remember the exact numbers but it was less money for me to undocument and then register it with the state rather than transferring the USCG documentation from the previous owner to me. Not a big difference in boat dollars, but still a few extra pennies in my pocket.
 
The problem friends of mine have on the Ohio river here in Cincinnati is that since they are USCG documented and not displaying OH registration numbers or current Watercraft decal they get boarded almost EVERY weekend by the local sherif, ODNR and police water patrols for not displaying current Registration info. Huge pain in the ass for them
 
If you only use your boat in the US then there are few advantages to documentation other than what has been said already. However if you go outside the country it's a different matter. Mexico, Canada and the Bahamas will accept US State registrations but few other countries will. It may give you a break getting a loan and with insurance as well. 20 some odd years ago it exempted you from paying state sales and property tax, but that is gone gone gone. That is why you have to register it even if it is documented. The states want their cut.
 
True, the upfront cost is a bit, $450 for mine, but that's it as long as I renew on time each year. It's free to renew, where as if you register the boat you pay a smaller amount but every year. My dealer explained it as a pay now.....or pay as you go. I guess I'm one of those that wants to pay it and be done.

Leave your numbers in place, you could do some wicked damage removing them
 
archangel73 said:
So this is my first boat that I had documented with the Coast Guard. I received the certificate in the mail earlier this week, and I know I need to put the official number in the bilge area starting off with "NO" first.

Two questions I have:

1. When mounting the numbers in the bildge area where should I place them? I thought about placing them next to the "Illegal Discharge" sticker on the engine hatch. Any recommendations?

2. I have the boat "titled" in IL, but it is not registered with IL. If I read the IL DNR website correctly, it states I only need to register the boat with IL if I will be using IL waterways for more than 60 days. Since I boat on Lake Michigan only, am I reading the rules/law correctly that I don't need to have anything else? I have the name of the boat and homeport on the boat, so I meet USCG rules.

Thanks!
Click to expand...

What does the hailing port on your transom say? Chicago, Il? Would make sense to register it in Illinois if that is the case. Otherwise, where you boat keeping in mind Illinois laws.

I too bought the registration board mentioned by a previous poster. I layered on 15 coats of high gloss marine spare varnish. It looks like a nice bit of bright work. Used 5200 to glue it to the bulkhead in the bilge that partitions the engine room from the living space down below. It's easily seen when you raise the day hatch to the engine room.
 
Xplicitlnck said:
What is the purpose of documenting with uscg. Are there any perks or advantages? Ive herd of registering with them but never understood why.
Click to expand...

I did it because I don't like the looks of registration numbers on the side of a beautiful white hull. My boat has the little ugly colored registration decal mounted on the side windows in kind of an out of the way place where it can be easily removed every three years to make way for the new ugly decal.
 
dwna1a said:
True, the upfront cost is a bit, $450 for mine, but that's it as long as I renew on time each year. It's free to renew, where as if you register the boat you pay a smaller amount but every year. My dealer explained it as a pay now.....or pay as you go. I guess I'm one of those that wants to pay it and be done.

Leave your numbers in place, you could do some wicked damage removing them
Click to expand...
That is true about the cost. Its re-register every 3 years in Virginia. I will leave the numbers in the bilge. Also, I think I was told/or read that when documented that the hailing port on your transom has to exactly match the location on your documentation. So you couldn't put your community/marina on the transom and your city on the documentation. Anyone confirm that?
 
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