I am buying a friends boat. The boat was registered with the coast guard. Here is the problem. The only document he has is the coast guard certificate from the previous owner. It was never transfered and it just states on the back it was sold to John Doe 6-2001. It expired in 6/2002.

My question is does the coast guard have a special website for this stuff? I was on there website and couldnt find any info on this subject? Can I register it with the state of illinois and get a title? I dont know how this stuff works

Here is the link to the National Vessel Documentation Center.
http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/nvdc.htm

You can print the required forms and either re document the boat or surrender the document. If you are having trouble locating the Documented Owner PM me the Official Number and I'll run it for you or you can run it yourself on the PSIX website.

Brad

Call them they are extremally helpful.

At some point the boat must have been registered in a state. You should be able to title the boat in your state without re-documenting the boat. Documentation is not required for ownership but may be required as a condition of financing by your bank for a preferred ship's mortgage.

Just another thought, depending on what state it came from there might not be a title for it. Here in Arizona boats aren't titled just registration. The trailer is the only thing titled and thats what the banks hold on to.