If you own a boat, you need to ensure it is adequately documented. Your boat may be declared abandoned because of ancient documents and lack of US Coast Guard registration according to
It is a lot of boat documentation information available online and on some occasions, it can be misleading. That is the reason why we created our Vessel Documentation Online blog: To answer some of your most common questions about the boating industry and to show you how to obtain the different forms you need to…
Having access to an NVDC is important, of course. By having the right documentation all at your fingertips, you’ll be in compliance whenever you go out on the water. That said, it’s important to be safe when you go out on the water, too. During the late fall and early winter, boat rides are incredible,…
Millions of people go boating in the United States every year so it’s no surprise that you might want to sell your boat and buy a different one at some point in time. In either case, there will need to be a transfer of ownership form, whether you are transferring ownership of a boat or…
If you own a boat, you know how critical it is to keep all of the required USCG vessel documentation in good standing. But did you know that the paperwork for your boat from the USCG may also be utilized to learn more about your vessel? In this article, we will go through the many…
Once you have gone through the process of getting a certificate of documentation for your recreational or commercial boat, in order to keep it up and current, you will need to renew the certificate each year. The process is very like what you go through when you are registering your vehicle with the Department of…
Buying a new boat can be very exciting, but there’s a lot of pressure on your part to get the best deal possible on your vessel. In this day and age, a boat is no minor investment, and the used market has really expanded, with a broad range of dealers and private sellers available to…
All boats registered with the federal government must choose a “hailing port.” The vessel owner must specify a hailing port on the boat when applying for a Certificate of Documentation. Once selected, the chosen port may no longer be modified and must be permanently attached to the ship if you require help. A hailing port…
Many prospective vessel buyers want to know the answer to, “do boats have VIN numbers?” It’s a great question and shows that you want to be a responsible boat owner. When you register your boat, much like when you register your vehicle, it is assigned a unique number that is used to identify it. This…
Unlike a road vehicle, a boat won’t necessarily depreciate in value as soon as it gets out on the water. Within 5 years, a boat’s value will decrease between 25 percent and 35 percent, as compared to a car, truck or SUV, which depreciates approximately 60 percent in that time frame. If you plan to…