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Ante Topic Mimara ] wrote:

Rosalie B. wrote:

Ed McDermott wrote:

I'm a Canadian planning to buy an American boat, but I'm
NOT planning to bring it back into Canada.


Where can I register it?

Why register it? Why not just document it in Canada?
Do you have to take it to Canada to do that?

If you are going to take it down to the Caribbean or something,
wouldn't documentation be better than registration anyway?

What means this "Documentation" as opposed to "Registration" ?

Can somebody please explain what these things are?

There are essentially two ways vessel ownership in the U.S. is done,
and I think it is similar in Canada:

Through State Registration including a title. State laws obviously
vary from state to state, but usually the state issues a number to a
boat which is displayed on the bow.

Through the Federal Documentation System - Documentation is the
federal registration of vessels (average of 27’ and over) with the
U.S. Coast Guard. Each vessel is assigned a number, which is
permanently displayed on an interior part of the hull. A certificate
is issued which identifies the owner. If a boat is documented it
doesn't usually have to display the registration numbers on the bow.
Documentation is recognized in international waters and can help ease
port clearances as the boat becomes a US entity. If you plan on doing
foreign cruising, including the Bahamas and the Caribbean, it is
recommended that you document the vessel. Since the CG documentation
system also records liens on the boat, the bank where you get your
loan usually requires that the boat be documented. I think there is
also a provision that in time of war, the CG or Navy can commandeer
the boat for use.



grandma Rosalie