Hey Guys--

I am looking at a boat that is Coast Guard documented. There is no name or port of call on the back of the boat. I cannot easily see any numbers in any pictures of the engine compartmant either. I have not seen this boat in person yet. It is a high performance boat.

My question is this: If I ask the seller to give me the documentation info, how can I research any history on this boat?? I am curious if this boat was ever in salt water.

Thanks

you can contact the documentation company and they will give you a history on the boat. i know there about 3 months in the rears with processing docs. submitted my paperwork the first week of july and was told 12-15 weeks til i receive mine

Get the documentation number or name of the boat and search here;
http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/commercia...g_vessel2.html

As for liens registered, order an abstract title here for $25 you'll get the transfer history and all liens current and past for the boat:

https://diy.dot.gov/cust/cdeploy?eca..._walkin.en.htm

Hope this helps.

I've seen a little quicker turnaround 10-12 wks. If you don't see any port of call or official # placard, perhaps it is documented but the guy is just non compliant with the display regs.

The titleing thing took a good 3-4 months here.

To get an abstract title on any rig is a lot faster. The one I got for the rig we bought last Feb. took no more than a week to come.

the documentation number and tonnage must be on the boat, the name and hailing port should be on the transom

NJ State requires that a documented boat be registered as well. You know just another way for the state to get more money. Well anyway, I got my boat from the previous owner who lived in a non-title state. Went to the DMV to get registered, titled, and pay taxes. They told me I can't register until I get the official documentation. Good thing for me, I don't need to pay sales tax for another 3 months unitl the papers show up!!

Wow. No documentation numbers, hailing port or boat name. Lotsa red flags. Documentation numbers while big may be hidden (Mine are under a big Halon bottle). I'd definitely request the info from the seller. Lots of good info here from the board members, but what else would you expect?

He has to have the numbers glassed into the engine compartment, Name has to be 6" tall, port 3" In MI we have to register also but they still don't see the price. It is a pain and the only benefit is not having to show numbers, we still have a reg sticker and I have found the no numbers thing to be a great probable cause to be pulled over. I don't drink a drop due to this, not a drop. For the $400 it costs to transfer I would say it is not worth it.

You do not need to go through a documenation company. I did it myself with help from the coast guards website, cost me $35.00 as opposed to HUNDERDS from a company. Really no big deal.