Documented boat

[Searaybio270]

I have a serious question:

I am buying a boat that is documented. However, the hull number and the USGA Reg number do show this boat.

Could I be doing something wrong?
Can't find the guys name attached to the info?
Can't find the location that matches where the boat is today?

Any advice is greatly appreciated.
thanks,

 

[fwebster]

Can you try to ask the question again?

It is documented, and the hull and some mystery (USGA??) number are shown?

If it is documented and you checked the documentation, then you should have the owner's name.

It isn't a stretch for an owner to relocate a boat away from the documented hailing port, nor is it a stretch for an owner to allow his documentation to lapse.

 

[Gofirstclass]

If you go to this website you can check on a vessel by name to find out its documented information. There's also a link on that page (on the right side about mid way down) where you can check a vessel by its documentation number. Also keep in mind that if a name can be divided into two words, be sure to check it both ways. For example Bigdog could be searched as one word or two ("Big Dog"). You would get different results from each search.

http://www.st.nmfs.noaa.gov/st1/CoastGuard/VesselByName.html

If the boat you're looking at has been sold or repo'd the current owner (bank, brokerage, etc.) may have allowed the documentation to lapse. If a new owner buys it and gets it documented it will be done under the original number.

 

[Searaybio270]

Fwebster - you are correct. I have the numbers Hull/USGA Reg but when I look it up it isn't under his name or area. Now if I understand it correctly he can locate the boat anywhere, correct?
The documentation runs out 12/10, this year.

Gofirstclass - I find the name and I have found the USGC (?) number but not associated to him. Hence, I can't really check out the boat. The link is under maintenance.

Maybe it is a good idea to pass ????

 

[kazie]

Put the burden on the seller to prove they own the boat, there are no liens on it and they have the legal right to transfer ownership.

 

[Tonka Boater]

USCG (US Coast Guard)

You can document a boat using any U.S. city even if you don't live there but the owner's current name/address should be listed when you do the search. Are you sure it's documented? Did you check the hull registration number with the state?

This may be a red flag but it may not. Tell the owner what you've told us and ask to see the documentation paperwork.

 

[mistercomputerman]

I think Frank W. asked you what a USGA number is. Is the boat owned by the United States Golf Association?

 

[fwebster]

You have just raised a red flag.

This may be no more than a sale after Dec, 2009 and the guy who is now selling the boat did not document his ownership. It may also mean that you cannot verify a clear title to the boat, in which case, I wouldn't touch it with a 10 ft pole.

If you buy the boat and wish to document it in the future, you are going to have to reconstruct the history with notarized bills of sale from each owner up to you as well as lien releases from each lender. Reconstructing the document history on an older boat is sometimes more work than it is worth, considering you need the cooperation of all the previous owners, some of whom are not that willing to help.

 

[Bucit]

Is it possible the owner bought the boat recently and didn't transfer the documented information and it's still under the previous boat owners info?

 

[Henry Boyd]

Contact an attorney who practices maritime (or admiralty) law. A lien on a maritime asset (like a Sea Ray) can exist without any paper work having been filed. An unpaid debt is all it takes. The other critical thing is the lien exists against the asset, not the asset owner. That means if you buy a boat and the previous owner did not pay for say, boatyard storage fees, that obligation stays with the boat.

FrankW is also absolutely correct about having to prove clear title. When we bought our 280 we decided to document it. The thing was the previous owner had over the course of his ownership lived in three states and registered the boat in each state after each move. Unfortunately one of the states did not title boats so there was no clear title to present to the CG. Fortunately the PO is a friend and we were able to build an ownership chain with his copies of registration documents.

Henry

 

[Searaybio270]

He bought the boat about 4 years ago. From my understanding the boat has only been registgered in one state.

What questions should I ask him?
Prove of clear title?
Prove of documentation? That he did in fact document it.
Where is it documented?

Anything else?

 

[Woody]

He bought the boat about 4 years ago. From my understanding the boat has only been registgered in one state.

What questions should I ask him?
Prove of clear title?
Prove of documentation? That he did in fact document it.
Where is it documented?

Anything else?

Perhaps he is not the only owner of this boat and USCG documentation shows another as Managing Owner.

 

[Searaybio270]

Perhaps he is not the only owner of this boat and USCG documentation shows another as Managing Owner.

That's a good point. However, he did say that he bought it with someone else and that he was the only one on the paperwork. Ie., the boat is in his name only.
I have contact a broker and a lawyer who deals in yacht sales, documentation and so on.

I do appreciate all the inside and suggestions.
Thanks!!1