Registering a documented boat in CT

[Jim Fennell]

I've recently purchased a 2006 Sundancer 290 and will be registering it in Connecticut.

The boat is CG documented, is currently registered in Rhode Island and the seller had a lien on it. I recently received the lien satisfaction documentation from his bank.

As best I can tell, the first step is to register the boat with the state DMV, then submit a bill of sale to change the CG documentation. We have all paperwork signed and notarized. Does this sound right?

Also, we'd also like to change the name and hailing port on the CG document but I can't find any info on doing that in one application. Has anyone done this successfully in the past?

 

[Smokeio]

Connecticut, good luck. I'm sorry but I have had such bad luck with registering my boats here as I have had a difficult experience every single time and every branch seems to be different. My suggestion would be go their website and where they publish exactly what you need to register a documented vessel. https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Watercraft/Watercraft/Documents-Required-for-Registration-of-a-Boat

I would bring any old registration from the previous owner (CG and/or state) because they may want that too.

 

[Jim Fennell]

Yep, thanks for that Smokeio. I also have the RI registration with the transfer form completed and signed.

Got an appointment at the Old Saybrook DMV tomorrow, at least they don't make you wait in line for hours any longer.

Connecticut, good luck. I'm sorry but I have had such bad luck with registering my boats here as I have had a difficult experience every single time and every branch seems to be different. My suggestion would be go their website and where they publish exactly what you need to register a documented vessel. https://portal.ct.gov/DMV/Watercraft/Watercraft/Documents-Required-for-Registration-of-a-Boat

I would bring any old registration from the previous owner (CG and/or state) because they may want that too.

 

[Fill Ess]

Good for you that you got the mortgage satisfaction doc. You're dead in the water with the USCG if you don't have that. They won't even continue your app

 

[Chris-380]

I had to get my documentation with the coast guard first then submit registration for state (Illinois). I did pay my sales tax within the 30 days mandated though

 

[Fill Ess]

When I bought my boat, the broker submitted CG-1258 which was titled "Application for Initial, Exchange or Replacement of Certificate of Documentation; Redocumentation"

It had places to put the new vessel name and hailing port

Have you looked here?

https://www.dco.uscg.mil/Portals/9/DCO Documents/NVDC/CG-1258.pdf?ver=2017-05-09-113142-067

 

[Fill Ess]

Also CG-1340 which is the USCG Bill of Sale, notarized, but I'm in Taxachusetts not CT.

 

[Stee6043]

Save yourself some pain and recurring expense and terminate the USCG documentation and just register it at the state level. Do you have a need to have the boat documented? Just curious...

 

[Irie308]

Don't waste your time going to the DMV without the certificate of documentation. DMV won't let you register until you have that in hand.

 

[Bruce Butler]

I just did this with a boat from MA. You will need the previous registration and the title if it was required in the previous state. It's a pain but it can be done.

 

[HawkX66]

Save yourself some pain and recurring expense and terminate the USCG documentation and just register it at the state level. Do you have a need to have the boat documented? Just curious...

Depends on the state. in VA, registrations are at the owners discretion.

1. Documented Watercraft:
   • 
     Note: Watercraft cannot be documented by the USCG and titled at the same time. The owner must choose between documentation or titling. While a documented vessel may not be titled, it may be registered at the owner’s discretion should a registration decal be desired to show proof that sales tax was paid. The registration decals may be useful if the watercraft is operated in other states that require a registration decal or other proof that sales tax was paid.