To Document or not

[zeehag]

state title and fed doc are proofs of ownership only.
nothing more
nothing less.
all one needs to cruise is proof of ownership. both can be on a state ownership paoer without need for citizenship, so why not go that way., geez. only advqntage iof documentation ids tha tye dont have to go to dmv every year..
oh wait.
documentation is yearly also.... lol

[cattar]

Documentation is similar to a house title, and can record claims of lien.
State title is like a car title, and does not record claims or fines.*
Seems like less potential for surprise later on with a documented boat.

[natew]

Thanks everyone. I think, unless we get her USCIS interview appointment in the next couple of days we will be sticking with the state registration until she is a US citizen and can change to CG documented (hopefully we can do that from mexico somehow).

From the perspective of leaving early and citizenship etc, I appreciate the concerns but we're not overly concerned. There's no real restriction for leaving the US with a permenant (10yr) greencard so worse case scenario is that the interview comes late and she has to fly back for it. Green card holders are allowed to live outside the country for a year so no big deal. Plus the laws have a lot of language regarding "intent" and establishment of "residency". We have no intent of her no longer being a us resident and no intent of establishing residency anywhere else. Our income is in the US and we will still file US income tax returns. Of course that being said having a US documented vessel would help I suppose since it would probably be a simple argument to make that our residence is on said vessel and said vessel is a US vessel and therefore technically a US based residence... But eh. We're really not worried that much.

[dohenyboy]

California needs the sales tax revenue.


Sent from an undisclosed location on the high seas or from the lounge chair by the pool, you decide.

[Island Time O25]

Originally Posted by zeehag

state title and fed doc are proofs of ownership only.
nothing more
nothing less.
all one needs to cruise is proof of ownership. both can be on a state ownership paoer without need for citizenship, so why not go that way., geez. only advqntage iof documentation ids tha tye dont have to go to dmv every year..
oh wait.
documentation is yearly also.... lol

In name only. No yearly charges. No hassles. Just return a signed form you get about 45-60 days before the deadline and that's it. Beats anything any state can offer as far as annual registration reqs.

[Jim Cate]

Originally Posted by Island Time O25

In name only. No yearly charges. No hassles. Just return a signed form you get about 45-60 days before the deadline and that's it. Beats anything any state can offer as far as annual registration reqs.

Oh???
When one is cruising in remote areas, actually receiving and returning the form can be a real hassle. We've seen lots of folks worrying about this issue when far away from the first world.

And FWIW, Illinois only requires renewal every third year... can be handy!

Jim

[Oceanyachtllc]

Hello, sorry I am a little late in reading this thread. Once your wife is a U.S. Citizen, I would be happy to guide you in terms of documenting your vessel.In the interim, I wish you safe travels. Feel free to contact me directly by phone or email.

[Vivid]

Yes, but don't forget states (most if not all) require registration of all boats with mechanical propulsion, documented or not. Here in North Carolina it's ok not to DISPLAY your reg. numbers on a documented boat, but you still must REGISTER and pay for the numbers, displayed or not. I decided to forgo documentation on my current boat for the first time and I'll see if it presents a problem hopping from NC to St. Martin this season.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

[lifeofreilly57]

Originally Posted by Dave852

I can not answer completely but can tell you that the documentation papers are taking a long time at the moment (like almost a year for me) so you will have at best a temporarily letter saying that you have applied for documentation. I can not speak for Mexico and am quite sure you will get your answer shortly, but after that the country's across the pacific are just looking for an "official number" and doubt that it will bother them a bit that it is from California or the US coastguard.


Sent from my iPad using Cruisers Sailing Forum

My documentation has been in for 14 months and still waiting.
I did get the letter of documentation but not the full blown papers yet.

[lifeofreilly57]

I don't know if this is a plus for you but when I've bought boats with the intent of flipping them it seemed it was easier to sell a boat that had been documented. Even though the new owner has to go through the process again it seemed to be a positive selling point if the boat was documented at the time of the sale.
Maybe it's easier to see the ownership lineage with documentation?

[Oceanyachtllc]

Were you issued a deficiency notice by the USCG for any issues?

[yardie]

I just documented my boat. They asked for every previous ship registration and bill of sale and the original builders certificate. 1 bill of sale was a partnership with 6 owners

30+ pages * $8/page

If it was previously USCG registered they would only need the form and the last bill of sale. So that's +1 for buying a US registered boat.