Documenting my Boat

[ibrettferguson]

I'm interested in documenting my boat (in hopes that I don't have to put the reg stickers on the hull). I don't know if it's big enough, so I'm hoping someone can help me.

There's a little form here on the USCG site, but it asks for hull depth and I can't find that spec anywhere on line? Anyone have any idea how I would go about getting hull depth? (Yes, this would be easy if the boat weren't three hours away at the lake house.)

Thanks!

 

[GA_Boater]

Have you looked at the cost to avoid putting the stickers on the hull? How big is your boat? And depending where the boat is docked/operated, you may still need the stickers.
[h=3]IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION?[/h] No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.

 

[ibrettferguson]

Have you looked at the cost to avoid putting the stickers on the hull? How big is your boat? And depending where the boat is docked/operated, you may still need the stickers.
[h=3]IS A DOCUMENTED VESSEL EXEMPT FROM STATE JURISDICTION?[/h] No, all documented vessels must comply with the laws of the state in which they are operated. The vessel's document must be shown to state law enforcement personnel upon their demand. States may require documented vessels to be registered (but not numbered) and to display state decals showing that they have complied with state requirements.

Yup. If documented, stickers are not required. The document must be kept on-board and and state decal on the hull. (Still better than crooked stickers!)

Cost isn't bad. It's $130 to register.

I fear my boat isn't big enough. Just trying to confirm. Must be 5 net tons (volume, not weight), which is why I'm trying to determine the depth of the hull.

It's a Chris Craft Scorpion 210 BR Ski-jack. Hull length (for USCG) is measured tip-to-tip, so with the swim deck it is right at 23' long. 8' Wide. Deep-vee.

 

[Bondo]

I'm interested in documenting my boat (in hopes that I don't have to put the reg stickers on the hull). I don't know if it's big enough, so I'm hoping someone can help me.

There's a little form here on the USCG site, but it asks for hull depth and I can't find that spec anywhere on line? Anyone have any idea how I would go about getting hull depth? (Yes, this would be easy if the boat weren't three hours away at the lake house.)

Thanks!

Ayuh,.... Welcome Aboard,..... What boat,..??

 

[ibrettferguson]

Hell, Bondo. Thanks.

1988 Chris Craft Scorpion 210 BR Ski-jack

A work in progress, I might add.

 

[metriccrescentwrench]

I've got a stupid question..... Why the heck would someone want to go through all that hassle instead of simply putting a registration number on the side of their boat?

 

[ibrettferguson]

I've got a stupid question..... Why the heck would someone want to go through all that hassle instead of simply putting a registration number on the side of their boat?

It's a fair question. I'd just rather not have the numbers on the side if there is a way around it. Personal preference is all.

 

[Dave1251]

Your boat is too small to document. The smallest boat that we have been able to document is 23ft and even than the beams is 8'6" with a lot more freeboard than your Chris Craft.

 

[ibrettferguson]

Your boat is too small to document. The smallest boat that we have been able to document is 23ft and even than the beams is 8'6" with a lot more freeboard than your Chris Craft.

Bah. That's what I was afraid of. Thank you, Dave1251.

 

[H20Rat]

A quick look at the numbers, and you would have to be at >4.5' of hull depth on a 21' (swim platforms don't count) to hit the magic number. No bow rider would ever hit that. Something else to consider... According to the letter of the law, you can't use stick on numbers for a documented vessel...

"The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area."

 

[Ned L]

Ok, that "permanently affixed" is not out in the open where it is visible. Traditionally it would be carved into one of the stringers, engine beds, or the inside of the stem or keel.