Boat Documentation Question
 

My boat was purchased new and I just got my documentation packet. Unfortunately, I have not yet had time to get the name placed on it as I was waiting to get the packet to get my number and do it all at once. Is there any risk to running it this weekend without the name, hailing port and internal numbers on there yet? The cover letter says 'The Certificate of Documentation will not be deemed valid until the vessel is marked in accordance with this application' and then references the name, hailing port and official number.

Does this mean that I am technically not yet registered and would just get a ticket? Or is it bigger than that? Certainly don't want to risk anything for 1 weekend. Thanks in advance...

Only if you get stoped by the cost gaurd or local harbor partrol.
And if you do, then you have a problem.

I'll only be on my inland lake so not much concern there.

However, you have peaked my interest :). What would happen if it CG stopped me?

I dont have room on my transom for my hailing port....

If you get stopped, just say that you are still waiting for your USCG docs to come back.

You may want to get an el cheapo set of Letters from Home Depot or WalMart.

Lay down a couple lengths of shrink wrap tape at the top of the transom. Then apply the el cheapo letters to the shrink wrap tape.

I know it sounds ridiculous, but its better than a hassle. It all depends on your potential of getting boarded (pulled over). You know the lake better than the rest of us.

More than likely, it would just be a ticket.

That is the other problem I have....says the letters need to be 4". I will never make that happen on my transom

Must be 4" letters for name and 3" for the halling port.The 3's go on the inside of the boat like in the engine compartment.Hope to see the sunny in june and tell Lisa we said hi.

Rich...2 things;
1 - From the letter, it seemed like the hailing port also needs to be on the outside at 4" and the offical number is 3" and goes in the inside - can you confirm?
2 - Lisa and I will be their 1 week from today, so we'll see you then. Start chilling the Corona's!!!

Shawn go to K-Mart or Wal-Mart to the sporting goods section where they sell hunting and fishing licenses. Bring the paperwork indicating hul number etc. and they will sell you A "TEMPORARY" 30 day registration you simply carry onboard for like $10.50

Another option would be to buy some cheap vinyl stick on lettering as a temp solution pending the real deal. Personally I would just go with the temp registration and be prepared for inspections if the ranger or police gets curious.

The name and hailing port need to be 4" The fine is $10,000. I would not chance going out without the name. The numbers need to be permanently mounted in the boat as to cause damage if removed. I just went through this. I am using some temporary vinyl lettering for the name until my grapihics come in. The numbers can be 3" and clear painted/resined over to make them permanent in the bilge area.

Yup....i did that for a friends powerquest...just get the numbers in vinyl and stick them in the bilge area...mask around them with the blue painters tape and some plastic incase of any runs...and mix up a cup of epoxy resin...then just use a brush and cover them all up....wait about 10min for the resin to just start kicking and peel off the tape/plastic and your good to go :)
You can see them in the back of the picture of the motors....the color difference is the resin ontop of the numbers...

ok... let me make sure I am straight on mine.

My boat is CG documented and registered in Texas.

So I need:

1. Name and hailing port in 4 inch on the back of the boat.
2. State sticker on outside of boat (no numbers)
3. CG #s inside the bilge with a clear over them of some kind.

I do not need the state numbers on the outside of boat?
Since I am registered in TX as well, do I need the ID # inside the bilge?

Thanks

there is zero room on mine

I believer your CG #'s have to be permanently mounted inside the boat, not necessarily in the bilge.

that is true..ive seen the numbers inside the cockpit before...

I survey boats all the time down here where the owner ONLY has the document on board. The numbers in the engine room are easy to install. I doubt the officer is going to fine you $10,000 when he can see you just recently received your papers by the post mark. Most high performance boats have so much going on at the transom; outdrives, external steering, exhaust outlets/mufflers, K-planes, etc., that the Marine Patrol guys will understand that the name and hailing port is not practical to be on the transom.

If you get stopped, just be courteous and show your paperwork. Unless the guy's a real pri--, you'll be just fine.

The name and port don't have to be on the transom.

The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. 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.

The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated.

Hey, now you've just got to buy another boat so you can apply your knowledge!

In Illinois we need to register with the state as well. That requires the state numbers on the side of the boat also.

per the paper work on my boat all you needed was the state sticker no numbers painted on the side?????

Guys - wanted to put this TTT as I have a problem. My transom (above water) is not big enough to hold both the name and hailing port at 4" - I really do not have the room. I can get the name however, the only place for the hailing port has maximum height of 2". I don't want to muck my boat up with jacka** letters on it where they don't belong. This seems so petty for a possible penalty of $10k - what do I do?

Trade it in on a A/T.Theres more than enough room on the transom.See it's already give in you problems.:evilb:

just put them on in a size that will fit, thats better than not having them and go on with life.

The company that did the doc. papers on my Scarab & my Outerlimits gave me these guidelines. The name has to be 4" letters either on the side or on the back in clear visiable letters. The hailing port must be on the back in the 3" letters. Last the hull ID must be somewhere on the inside of the vessel in clear sight in 3" block style letters that would damage the finish if removed.

I have zero room for any hailing port. I do have the hailing port stickers in my glove box in case the guy wants to be a pecker.

Here's everything you would want to know on documentation.



http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm

It's been two years for me and I haven't "gotten around" to putting mine on either...I'm kind've a procrastinator:D :D