Documenting a boat.

windrose · Post by **windrose** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 10:43 pm

First off Happy New Year. I am planning to head south after hurricane season and stay out for awhile. I know some of you have documented your boats, how do I start the process, how much does it cost, how long will it take, does it make the customs process easier when clearing in?

Thanks,
Ang

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Mon Dec 31, 2007 11:13 pm

You may want to start by checking out the FAQ list at http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm

Documentation is relatively straightforward and barring unusual curcumstances (like a lack of clear title etc) you should be able to easily do it yourself.

windrose · Post by **windrose** » Tue Jan 01, 2008 1:59 am

Great link!!!!! Thank you. Happy New Year!

Zach · Post by **Zach** » Sun Jan 06, 2008 11:40 pm

Johnny and others...

How does one go about getting a builders certificate stating the boat was built in the US? Or does the title do it for a triton?

Thanks!

JonnyBoats · Post by **JonnyBoats** » Tue Jan 08, 2008 7:12 pm

How does one go about getting a builders certificate stating the boat was built in the US? Or does the title do it for a triton?

For a boat built by Pearson, you shouldn't have any problem. Has the boat ever been documented before?

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 9:57 am

I think you will find that the 5 ton mimimum size for documentation eliminates most stuff under about 30'. The Morgan 27, at 7500 lbs and the dimensions used to calculate tonnage, just squeaks by.

Post by **Tim** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 11:12 am

Quite a number of Tritons have been documented successfully.

Ceasar Choppy · Post by **Ceasar Choppy** » Wed Jan 09, 2008 1:13 pm

Quetzalsailor wrote:I think you will find that the 5 ton mimimum size for documentation eliminates most stuff under about 30'. The Morgan 27, at 7500 lbs and the dimensions used to calculate tonnage, just squeaks by.

Weight has nothing to do with it.

The CG Tonnage measurement is more a measure of VOLUME. My old Renegade at 27 feet was at one time documented at 7 Tons Net. The web site should have a method for determining Net Tonnage for documentation purposes. The Triton at 28 feet should have no problem.

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 10:45 am

Actually, it's an estimate of cargo capacity. I don't have the formula handy, but length, breadth and depth play into it (which of course smells like volume). The depth of the Morgan 27 was measured to the hull-keel joint; boats with a less obvious place from which to measure depth can rate a higher capacity. (My dad heard of folks who extended the hull construction down over the keel joint to increase the 'depth'.) Our NE 38 has a depth listed as 9.5 feet which sounds a little deeper than from bottom of the hollow keel up to the sheer. The Morgan's depth is listed as 4.2 feet which is about from the keel joint to the sheer amidships.

Ancient Race · Post by **Ancient Race** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 11:58 am

Quetzalsailor wrote:Actually, it's an estimate of cargo capacity. I don't have the formula handy, but length, breadth and depth play into it (which of course smells like volume). The depth of the Morgan 27 was measured to the hull-keel joint; boats with a less obvious place from which to measure depth can rate a higher capacity. (My dad heard of folks who extended the hull construction down over the keel joint to increase the 'depth'.) Our NE 38 has a depth listed as 9.5 feet which sounds a little deeper than from bottom of the hollow keel up to the sheer. The Morgan's depth is listed as 4.2 feet which is about from the keel joint to the sheer amidships.

USCG Tonnage Guide for Simplified Measurement

Quetzalsailor · Post by **Quetzalsailor** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 2:34 pm

Some of you may find the above link is a dead end, like I did. Here's another one: http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/por ... 4d51cc0dac

10 pages; understandable, even by me.

Ancient Race · Post by **Ancient Race** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 3:36 pm

Quetzalsailor wrote:Some of you may find the above link is a dead end, like I did. Here's another one: http://homeport.uscg.mil/cgi-bin/st/por ... 4d51cc0dac

10 pages; understandable, even by me.

Sorry about the link. Apparently it's a classified document; that link leads to the same dead end for me.

In the right column of This DHS/USCG page is a list of .pdf documents regarding tonnage measurement, including the Simplified Tonnage Guide.

CharlieJ · Post by **CharlieJ** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 4:18 pm

Quetzalsailor

Get "UNAUTHORIZED ACCESS DETECTED" on your link

bcooke · Post by **bcooke** » Fri Jan 11, 2008 8:26 pm

Ang wrote:I am planning to head south after hurricane season and stay out for awhile...

You know, that little blurb got passed me the first time.

What's your plan? Can we expect some winter updates (with pictures) here on the forum?

-Britton