Do I need to document my boat?

[hearsejr]

 I was told I didn't need to document it, just the state registration. also what do I need to do when I show up in another country? what will they ask and what will I need handy?
the boats a Coronado 30..29' 11" LOA, 10.1' Beam, just under 6' draft, no over hangs, but that may change if I build a radio arch type thing on the stern.
thanks,
  Yall

[Oldrig]

You don't have to document your boat, although if you do, it will provide you, your loan-holder (if you've got one) and any future owners with a fool-proof chain of ownership.

Documentation does help when going abroad, I'm told, since it makes your boat a "United States vessel."

It's not necessary if visiting Canada, Mexico, the Bahamas or--I think--the Caribbean islands.

In some states (Mass. is among them), if you have a documented vessel, you don't have to get state registration. But that's probably not a good enough reason to document your boat.

My recommendation: Go ahead and get your boat documented. You only pay the fee once, and it could be useful if you leave the United States. My boat is documented, because she was already documented and I filed the necessary papers to list myself as the new owner.

Hope this helps. Those who sail outside the States can give you a better answer on what documentation means for foreign travel.

--Joe

[skylark]

Just fly the Jolly Roger and keep a cutlass handy.

[hearsejr]

hehehe I'm so ugly the tax man don't even visit..lol.
I'll have to see if I can get the coasties to give me a hand at one of the stations here.  if it don't coast too much and I don't have to hire a lawyer and a bunch interns, I might go ahead and document it. I'll still have to get it registered in NC though. that sucks, but I don't have to have the numbers on the bow. lol.
thanks yall.
  Bill