Earleybird47 wrote:

several years ago I purchased a sailboat at a us Marshall sale. I recieved
documents listing a manufacturer ( one off custom) which was the builders last
name and a hull number. I registered the boat in my home state with the
numbers given. Now after several years of a major refit it is ready to launch
in the spring. My problem or should I ignor it is there is no number anwhere on
the hull. I did find however a Canadian official number name and rated tonnage
engraved in a deck beam per Canadian regulations, which was hidden by matching
color tape. Upon checking this registration number was no longer registered in
Canada. My question is what should I do? Engrave nubers on the boat to match
my court ordered bill of sale or leave as is hiding the old canadian numbers
por other options. I hate to have some puplic official in a small third world
country take issue with my ownership.


Just on the odd chance the builder did it right: Look at the inside
upper starboard section of the transom. There's supposed to be a HIN
glassed into the transom there. I have to climb in our cockpit locker
and shine a light aft to read it, and didn't see it until I was told it
was there.

What's on the beam was well explained by another, but you might want to
get whatever documentation from Canada that you can. Documenting the
boat with the USCG will involve similarly marking the boat with the new
documentation number, which should improve identifiability.

In any case, try to carry enough documentation to ensure you can
persuade any official that the boat is indeed yours and that you and
your crew are who they say they are. Whatever you got from the US
Marshals should go a long way.

--
Jere Lull
Xan-a-Deux ('73 Tanzer 28 #4 out of Tolchester, MD)
Xan's Pages: http://members.dca.net/jerelull/X-Main.html
Our BVI FAQs (290+ pics) http://homepage.mac.com/jerelull/BVI/