On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 16:40:24 -0500, Gene Kearns
wrote:

On Tue, 19 Feb 2008 06:55:37 -0500, penned the following
well considered thoughts to the readers of rec.boats:


|Many vessels that measure over 6 gross tons are Coast Guard Documented. Usually,
|boats that qualify start at about 27 feet for sailboats. The gross tons are a
|measure of volume, not the weight of the boat.
|
|http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm
|

A vessel must measure at least five net tons and, in most instances,
owned by a citizen of the U.S.

It is, very roughly, a measure of volume, but the formula is so
screwey that even my 23 foot walk around cuddy is documentable.

The whole system needs to be revamped.

Seriously - I've had a Master's for a lot of years and even though
I've never, ever, been in command of a vessel rated 100 tons, I had a
100 ton license. The last time I renewed, I wanted it dropped to 25
tons and they wouldn't do it.

So I have a 100 ton license, near shore and a OUPV for inland good for
a 100 miles from shore - which makes no sense at all.

And I will never, ever use it. However, in theory, I'm qualified.

There are pros and cons on about the current system and I understand
why they do it they way they do, but for guys like me who run largely
outboard powered boats under 40 foot, what's the point?

I'd like to seem them initiate a Master's rating for guys like me.