What is gained or lost by discontinuing USCG documentation of a private
sailboat ?

Thanks,
Courtney

On Sat, 7 Apr 2007 17:44:09 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
wrote:

What is gained or lost by discontinuing USCG documentation of a private
sailboat ?

Since there is no cost or effort to staying documented, why would you
want to drop it?

As long as the boat is not financed there is very little to lose
except that you will be required to post state registration numbers in
the US. If the boat is financed, you probably have a contractual
obligation to remain documented (and insured).

"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 7 Apr 2007 17:44:09 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
wrote:

What is gained or lost by discontinuing USCG documentation of a private
sailboat ?

Since there is no cost or effort to staying documented, why would you
want to drop it?

As long as the boat is not financed there is very little to lose
except that you will be required to post state registration numbers in
the US. If the boat is financed, you probably have a contractual
obligation to remain documented (and insured).



The fees are typically higher, since you have to pay the fee every year.
With documentation, it's a one-time fee, then paperwork once a year. A buyer
would probably appreciate that, if you intend to sell it.

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

I am told that the U.S. can commandeer your boat at will if USCG documented.

Would this be true if she was out of U.S. waters ?

Would this ever be true if not USCG documented or if of foreign registry ?

I should add that fear of U.S. gov. seizure is not a significant motive
here, just an example of a potential disadvantage of USCG documentation, and
a weighing of pros & cons of USCG documentation is the sole consideration.
Another disadvantage, in certain waters, might be... flying the U.S. flag,
at all. On the other hand, registering as a foreign vessel would require
importation & licensing fees, which
is a not inconsiderable cost and would be a good reason to maintain USCG
documentation.

I guess under the 'right' circumstances any government can legally do the
same, but in that I'm considering hailing from a non-U.S. port, and maybe
registering it as a non-U.S. vessel, I was wondering what information should
be factored into such a decision.

The bottom line: if said boat is operating out of the U.S., or hails from a
port other than U.S., what [dis]advantages are there in having USCG
documentation ? Or is hailing from a U.S. port required for USCG
documentation ?

Sorry for not being initially more clear,

Courtney



"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 7 Apr 2007 17:44:09 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
wrote:

What is gained or lost by discontinuing USCG documentation of a private
sailboat ?

Since there is no cost or effort to staying documented, why would you
want to drop it?

As long as the boat is not financed there is very little to lose
except that you will be required to post state registration numbers in
the US. If the boat is financed, you probably have a contractual
obligation to remain documented (and insured).

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
I am told that the U.S. can commandeer your boat at will if USCG
documented.

Would this be true if she was out of U.S. waters ?

Would this ever be true if not USCG documented or if of foreign registry ?

I should add that fear of U.S. gov. seizure is not a significant motive
here, just an example of a potential disadvantage of USCG documentation,
and
a weighing of pros & cons of USCG documentation is the sole consideration.
Another disadvantage, in certain waters, might be... flying the U.S. flag,
at all. On the other hand, registering as a foreign vessel would require
importation & licensing fees, which
is a not inconsiderable cost and would be a good reason to maintain USCG
documentation.

I guess under the 'right' circumstances any government can legally do the
same, but in that I'm considering hailing from a non-U.S. port, and maybe
registering it as a non-U.S. vessel, I was wondering what information
should
be factored into such a decision.

The bottom line: if said boat is operating out of the U.S., or hails from
a
port other than U.S., what [dis]advantages are there in having USCG
documentation ? Or is hailing from a U.S. port required for USCG
documentation ?

Sorry for not being initially more clear,

Courtney


Any government at any time for any reason can "sieze" your vessel, and there
won't be much you can do about it at the time of siezure. You can, of
course, then launch a legal battle to have your rightful property returned
to you, but governments, being evil by nature, don't much care whether or
not your rights are being violated. And it won't matter whether your boat is
federally documented or state registered.

In reality, does this happen often? Only if you make yourself a target.

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

(Snip)

Any government at any time for any reason can "sieze" your vessel, and
there
won't be much you can do about it at the time of siezure. You can, of
course, then launch a legal battle to have your rightful property returned
to you, but governments, being evil by nature, don't much care whether or
not your rights are being violated. And it won't matter whether your boat
is
federally documented or state registered.

In reality, does this happen often? Only if you make yourself a target.

Moral: Keep a low profile at all times, but not so low that the powers
that be
start wondering what you are hiding.


And never, but never, lock yourself into your home and tell the world to
leave you alone.

"Courtney Thomas" wrote in message
...
I am told that the U.S. can commandeer your boat at will if USCG
documented.

Would this be true if she was out of U.S. waters ?

Would this ever be true if not USCG documented or if of foreign registry ?

I should add that fear of U.S. gov. seizure is not a significant motive
here, just an example of a potential disadvantage of USCG documentation,
and
a weighing of pros & cons of USCG documentation is the sole consideration.
Another disadvantage, in certain waters, might be... flying the U.S. flag,
at all. On the other hand, registering as a foreign vessel would require
importation & licensing fees, which
is a not inconsiderable cost and would be a good reason to maintain USCG
documentation.

I guess under the 'right' circumstances any government can legally do the
same, but in that I'm considering hailing from a non-U.S. port, and maybe
registering it as a non-U.S. vessel, I was wondering what information
should
be factored into such a decision.

The bottom line: if said boat is operating out of the U.S., or hails from
a
port other than U.S., what [dis]advantages are there in having USCG
documentation ? Or is hailing from a U.S. port required for USCG
documentation ?

Sorry for not being initially more clear,

Courtney



"Wayne.B" wrote in message
...
On Sat, 7 Apr 2007 17:44:09 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
wrote:

What is gained or lost by discontinuing USCG documentation of a private
sailboat ?

Since there is no cost or effort to staying documented, why would you
want to drop it?

As long as the boat is not financed there is very little to lose
except that you will be required to post state registration numbers in
the US. If the boat is financed, you probably have a contractual
obligation to remain documented (and insured).


I'm not overly concerned. If they really think my 1983 Sabre 30 will
contribute, I'd be happy to contribute. :-)

--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

"KLC Lewis" wrote in message
...

"Gogarty" wrote in message
...
In article ,
says...

(Snip)

Any government at any time for any reason can "sieze" your vessel, and
there
won't be much you can do about it at the time of siezure. You can, of
course, then launch a legal battle to have your rightful property
returned
to you, but governments, being evil by nature, don't much care whether or
not your rights are being violated. And it won't matter whether your boat
is
federally documented or state registered.

In reality, does this happen often? Only if you make yourself a target.

Moral: Keep a low profile at all times, but not so low that the powers
that be
start wondering what you are hiding.


And never, but never, lock yourself into your home and tell the world to
leave you alone.



Also, do not wrap your head in aluminum foil. They're on to that.


--
"j" ganz @@
www.sailnow.com

On Apr 8, 10:46 am, Dave wrote:
On Sat, 07 Apr 2007 18:01:55 -0400, Wayne.B
said:

Since there is no cost or effort to staying documented, why would you
want to drop it?

I suppose one issue is personal privacy. It's very easy to get information
on documented vessels via the internet. Harder for State registered vessels.


IIRC the KneeDeeps (USCG) will inspect you in some ports if you dont
have USCG documentation. Mind, this is from the fishing world so your
results may vary.

At one time Fishing boats could be undocumented. As the Gov'ment
wanted fewer and fewer boats on the seas, the documentation rules
began to tighten down (picture your important bits in a bench vice).
Given the " Home land security Act. (TM)" It would not surprise me in
the least if you began to get "inspected" on a reguler baises by the
USCG. Just on the Off chance your 30' boat will have an invading army
of jehadists hiding aboard.

I shouldnt worry over much; soon if the laws are correct, we will get
to be inspect at each port, each day for our safety. Dont worry they
are the government they are there to help.

On Sun, 8 Apr 2007 10:38:52 -0400, "Courtney Thomas"
wrote:

The bottom line: if said boat is operating out of the U.S., or hails from a
port other than U.S., what [dis]advantages are there in having USCG
documentation ? Or is hailing from a U.S. port required for USCG
documentation ?

I do not believe you can have USCG documentation for a non US home
port. Interesting question. Unless you are planning a trip to Cuba I
don't believe you'll have any issues with US doc. If you want to
break the trail of ownership or cruise to a prohibited destination for
some reason, non US doc could be advantageous.