Here I don't think they understand CG regs. And I don't want to be hassled. Im not saying there is ever any Drinking going on but :)

I applied for mine in Nov, and just got it back last week. Mine had been Documented in the US then went to Canada, and now that it is back they still used the original doc numbers from when it was first documented here. The whole process went much better that I thought it would.

Should take about 4 months if it was like mine.

Exactly what I'm worried about. I HIGHLY doubt any of the water cops around me will even have heard of coast guard documentation let alone understand why I'm not displaying State of Michigan MC numbers

Believe it or not most of them get it.

I didn't want any ting on the bow at all. Ohio still makes you have a sticker but wI'll let you put it in a different place I have mine on the side. Here is a good pic of it[IMG]http://i1149.photobucket.com/albums/...psqidp2xsv.jpg[/IMG]

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You are correct. I bought my boat in May and didn't get documents until end of August. Was boating on Torch Lake and got pulled over for guess what..... no MC numbers and sticker. Explained my situation to the water cops and they looked at me like I was the man from Mars. I had the documentation from the previous owner and copies of my transfer request, but they still felt the need to give me the third degree. After a half hour of being hassled they let me go with a warning. Haven't been back to Torch since. Good luck.

Torch LK, there is a way to register your boat with tMichigan (Get MC #'S) and CG
 

Torch LK,

I live in southeast Michigan and ran into the same dilemma as yourself. I bought a boat from Minnesota (title state) and was transferring boat ownership to Michigan (title state). Since I took a loan out on boat purchase, I was required by my financial institution to register my boat with CG (ship mortgage) because boat was over 25 FT in length. Before starting the long and pain CG process, I went to Michigan Secretary Of States Office with previous owners Minnesota Title and original "Bill of Sale". I paid sales tax, titled and register the boat in my name (just like registering a car in Michigan). Michigan Secretary Of States Office also gave me my MC #'s and registration sticker on the spot. After receiving my Michigan Title in the mail 10 days later I then started the CG registration process. I refused to give the bank or CG my newly issued Michigan Title.(I sent coast CG copy of Michigan Title in my Name). The CG and states don't communicate when it comes to dual registering your boat (in my experience). Once I paid my boat load off (5 years later), bank sent me my release-of-lien letter. I took release-of-lien letter from bank and Michigan Title (I kept in hand) to Michigan Secretary Of State office and had them reissue title with Secured Party Interest removed from title (only cost $15.00). After that was done I let my CG registration lapse.I always just renew MC registration every three years with the state.

My experience is the same as most others have stated. For a normal lake-boat, It's just not worth it unless you plan to be squeaky clean EVERY time you operate due to the ongoing chance to be pulled over for lack of state # questioning. That's the bottom line. That means extinguishers, whistle, !DRIVER!:crazy:, etc.. You CAN still go buy state registration numbers (at least I was able to in OK) but then what was the point of the CG Docs? The only positive to CG docs I could see is easier to finance. Some banks like it, some don't seem to care.. Banking membership history probably has a lot to do with that.

With regards to time to receive completed documentation, I had the same experience as others. Took about four months for the docs to come in going through LOZ Documentation. If you're boating during that time, a copy of the previous owner's docs are sufficient. If you go through a company such as LOZ, they supply a temporary usage cert until the docs come in.

Thanks a lot for the info. I'm probably going to have to do something cause I just don't want to deal with getting hassled by the water cops.

You're just a red flag without MC numbers

Just got my official documentation in yesterday. Applied in early January, so it took about 4 months.

I do have a question:

The paperwork that was included said I MUST have the name of the vessel and the hailing port displayed and on the back of the boat? Is this absolutely necessary? I really don't want it on the boat

Yes, absolutely. With no (state) registration numbers, and no Hailing Port/Name on the back; you are BEGGING for attention to be pulled over.

Go to your local sign & graphics shop, and have them whip up something that compliments the boat/colors. You could push your luck a little and go with something "not so contrasting" in color if you are looking to preserve clean lines. (As in, if your boat is light blue, go with blue lettering that is silver, grey, or a couple shades darker blue). It doesn't HAVE to be ugly block letters.

you say you don't want hassled but you don't want to play by the rules, its the law....the name on the vessel is the identifier to the leo's.

My boat is documented. Much happier having a name on the back as opposed to numbers on both sides of the boat

I can make the name look good and I do like the name I chose so its not a big deal. So for sure dont put the MC numbers on the side, correct?

Any ideas for fixing the permanent documentation number on the hull? I have the motor out at the moment so it would be a good time to do it

I had mine made large and in charge! LOL

[ATTACH=CONFIG]566559[/ATTACH]

Just put vinyl graphics inside the engine compartment on the gunwale. Then square off a "frame" with painters tape and clearcoat over them. Done.

I like that name! Looks good on the back.

I went with Fine Whine, as I have a fairly loud Whipple blower. I just am wondering if people will "get" it or not

That's what I did.