Value of USCG documentation?

[Jentine]

Bob,
For a mere $140 you can't beat the price of cheap insurance against legal hassles from some semi-literate official on a small Caribbean island. I documented my new boat a few weeks ago and the time to fill out the forms was minimal. If you can read a ruler, make simple measurements, perform simple mathematic functions like multiplication and division, you can complete the documentation forms.
Aside from the time it takes to get to the boat, start to finish (including writing the check and addressing the envelope) will take less 1/2 hour assuming that you have the necessary documents proving your ownership of the boat. You don't need an agency to do the paperwork. The Coast Guard has made the process doable by the average sailor.
All the information you need is at the following site:
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

Jim

[wolfenzee]

I live in Washington State and cruise in Canada, Canada is happy with Washington registration. I would still have to pay the annual Washington registration on top of the annual Federal documentation. Also I don't want to share "theoretical ownership" with the US Govt.

[hellosailor]

"Also I don't want to share "theoretical ownership" with the US Govt."
Then you'd better unregister your boat, the USCG knows how to read state registration lists too. If the Fed needs your boat--don't worry, they'll take it. It's more likely they'd draft you, first. If you're under age 45, they still can.

[Pblais]

It's more likely they'd draft you, first. If you're under age 45, they still can.

It's all theoretical of course!