Recommissioning to do list

[Pirate Lady]

Are you really gonna stay in port cause of stickers? Is MA that strict?

 

[Fill Ess]

Are you really gonna stay in port cause of stickers? Is MA that strict?

Good point -- I guess it would be rolling the dice. I saw something in the news the other day about how the Coast Guard is gonna be out there doing spot checks, and boarding boats (more often than last year) now that things are better-ish.

I even spent a while on the phone with an officer at the USCG, and I'm like look, I have no problem paying the fee, I'm trying to do the right thing here and get the old girl properly registered but it's all stuck in limbo. Live and learn I guess, next time I'll just do the paperwork myself. When it comes to the town, we're supposed to get a sticker from the harbormaster, and it's free, but of course I need my state registration .....

 

[Tripsdad]

Back in Feb, put down first week of May, since they asked. Plus that's when the slip rental starts (May 1). Now of course they are delayed, we have to do it in order of paperwork received, yada yada yada.

Of course, once I get in the water I'm not going anywhere because Moronmax still hasn't resolved my USCG app, and I can do the state reg until that's done, and I can't get my city sticker until the stage reg is done.

When I bought my boat Oct 2019 the USCG was backed up for months so I couldn’t register with the state until the end of April. I had a letter from my bank showing the documentation was in process which they said would allow me to use the boat. Even after I had it registered I noticed a lot of boats didn’t have the stickers on their bows so I just keep mine on board in case I need it. MA may be different than NY.

 

[Fill Ess]

When I bought my boat Oct 2019 the USCG was backed up for months so I couldn’t register with the state until the end of April. I had a letter from my bank showing the documentation was in process which they said would allow me to use the boat. Even after I had it registered I noticed a lot of boats didn’t have the stickers on their bows so I just keep mine on board in case I need it. MA may be different than NY.

Thanks Rob I wondered that too. It seemed like 50/50 at the marina for having the stage reg numbers on the bow or not. I know up here you only display your state # (MS .......) if the boat is NOT registered with the USCG. I went with the USCG reg since the previous owner had done it. I still have to do the stage reg, and I paid the sales tax of course

 

[Tripsdad]

Thanks Rob I wondered that too. It seemed like 50/50 at the marina for having the stage reg numbers on the bow or not. I know up here you only display your state # (MS .......) if the boat is NOT registered with the USCG. I went with the USCG reg since the previous owner had done it. I still have to do the stage reg, and I paid the sales tax of course

Same in NY, no state numbers with USCG Documentation. I tried to register with the state shortly after closing on the boat using the USCG application so I could pay the tax and they said come back after it’s documented. I just carried the letter saying the documentation was in process and used the boat.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Back in Feb, put down first week of May, since they asked. Plus that's when the slip rental starts (May 1). Now of course they are delayed, we have to do it in order of paperwork received, yada yada yada.

Of course, once I get in the water I'm not going anywhere because Moronmax still hasn't resolved my USCG app, and I can do the state reg until that's done, and I can't get my city sticker until the stage reg is done.

Phil,

That's not correct. I told you weeks ago you can use your boat in Mass with a copy your bill of sale, a letter from the doc service saying transfer/application submitted to USCG, and a copy of the prior owner's Certificate. This was how we operated for both the first season with the Sea Ray and the Sabre (2006 & 2019). Piss on MM for screwing up the paperwork all you want, but staying out of the water is your decision.

 

[Pirate Lady]

Phil, just curious cause different areas. Go up to Baltimore harbor, you better have shit tight cause water cops will bust you for expired flares. Out their area, Coast Guard is only seen to investigate a drowning. And marine police on Bay got funding cut to one Zodiac. I see peeps on here about numbers needed on a dinghy, you kidding me! No such thing.

 

[Fill Ess]

Phil,
That's not correct .....

Hi Henry,

Thanks for your feedback. I read what you wrote before, and it's very helpful but doesn't quite cover my case and here's why.

I've been pushing the doc service (who is in bed with MM) for a copy of the original app, and all they will give me is the credit card authorization plus some other paperwork. I guess this would suffice for that. They waited almost a month after the sale to even submit to the USCG but let that go for a sec.

I was able to get a copy of the prior owner's certificate but it's 3 years old so that *may* suffice.

I don't have a bill of sale after close, and the app prepared by the doc service includes a charge for bill of sale (4 pages).

So don't get me wrong -- I see where you're coming from, I've done everything I can so far and then some, so I should be able to boat around if I have proof of everything.

 

[Henry Boyd]

Hi Henry,

Thanks for your feedback. I read what you wrote before, and it's very helpful but doesn't quite cover my case and here's why.

I've been pushing the doc service (who is in bed with MM) for a copy of the original app, and all they will give me is the credit card authorization plus some other paperwork. I guess this would suffice for that. They waited almost a month after the sale to even submit to the USCG but let that go for a sec.

I was able to get a copy of the prior owner's certificate but it's 3 years old so that *may* suffice.

I don't have a bill of sale after close, and the app prepared by the doc service includes a charge for bill of sale (4 pages).

So don't get me wrong -- I see where you're coming from, I've done everything I can so far and then some, so I should be able to boat around if I have proof of everything.

MM won''t give you a bill of sale? That sounds dodgy. They should be able to do that at any time. Likewise the Doc service should be providing you with copies of everything and at the least can give you a letter stating all is in process.

While you're at it you should make sure you get confirmation that they have paid the sales tax on your behalf as well (dealers are required by MA law to collect the sales tax and remit to the DOR, on a private sale its your responsibility).

 

[Pirate Lady]

Can I ask a question? Legitimate? Why the USCG docs? Every 2 years I send a couple bucks to MD, they send me a sticker I put on bow. That’s it. Why all this issue.

 

[Fill Ess]

MM won''t give you a bill of sale? That sounds dodgy. They should be able to do that at any time. Likewise the Doc service should be providing you with copies of everything and at the least can give you a letter stating all is in process.

While you're at it you should make sure you get confirmation that they have paid the sales tax on your behalf as well (dealers are required by MA law to collect the sales tax and remit to the DOR, on a private sale its your responsibility).

That's another thing, it was a sale brokered by MM. I didn't realize right away about the sales tax, so I paid it plus there was a penalty on top of that for being more than a month afterwards.

 

[Fill Ess]

Can I ask a question? Legitimate? Why the USCG docs? Every 2 years I send a couple bucks to MD, they send me a sticker I put on bow. That’s it. Why all this issue.

Good question, I was going to just register with the state. But part of the stage app requires I submit another doc from the USCG saying it's been de-registered. What a cluster .....

 

[Fill Ess]

The Coast Guard posts their wait times for docs (new, change, renewals etc). Right now they are two months out for the exchanges.

 

[Fill Ess]

Piss on MM for screwing up the paperwork all you want ...

Yes this has become my new hobby. Not because I enjoy it, but because I just want my paperwork already.

That said there's a few people there who have been great.

 

[MoonRiver]

Follow-up to starting my HVAC unit. I cleaned a small hand full of grass out of the strainer then hit the breaker and it took a prime and started working as advertised.
First day with new boat went very well, both engine fired right up with good temps and pressure. I did find a slow water leak from the generator sea water pump. The water is coming from the shaft side weep hole. Any thoughts? I'm guessing the seal is bad and needs a rebuild kit. The impeller is good and the generator runs cool, but the steady drip will drive me crazy.

 

[Stee6043]

You do know that if you're fully prepared to be stopped, chances are you'll never get stopped.

I did 3 full months of boating (that's 50% of our season in Michigan ) with a file folder filled with paperwork, bill of sale, old title, proof of insurance, termination of documentation, etc and so on while I waited for USCG to release title to my boat so I could register it. Of course I never once got pulled over....but I was definitely ready.

Boating season is too short, get out there!

 

[Shaps]

Ditto
Bought my boat last year, had a file of all the docs we submitted on board with me, the old CG documentation, bill of sale, etc. I did have a coast guard auxiliary member do the safety check for me, so I did have that sticker displayed. But went through half the season without state reg or cg doc.
Like others said, season is short... get out there.

 

[mrsrobinson]

Yes, it is mid January, so call me an optimist.

What is on your Recommissioning To-Do list before your splash your boat in the spring?
(Those in warmer climates don't need to rub it in)

Buy one

Under contract, sea trial/survey next week, plan to keep her in the Upper Potomac. The list of "to dos" is already too long, going to do my best to just enjoy her for a while!

 

[mrsrobinson]

termination of documentation, etc and so on while I waited for USCG to release title to my boat so I could register it.

Going off topic here. I am purchasing a Coast Guard Documented boat. I will not be documenting it with the coast guard, rather register/title in my state.

The Seller is completing the coast guard bill of sale and states that's all he needs to do. I've read where the seller must also do this:

"A vessel may be deleted from documentation upon the request of the vessel owner or an authorized agent on behalf of the owner. The request must be in writing and must include the vessel's official number and reason for deletion. THIS FORM IS FOR U.S. COAST GUARD DOCUMENTED VESSELS ONLY. "

Is this correct? Does the current owner/seller need to do more than a coast guard bill of sale?

 

[mrsrobinson]

If properly winterized... no big deal. I drop mine in, start both engines, raise the hatch to look for any obvious leaks, and idle away to the slip. Once at the slip, un-bypass the water heater, flush the fresh water system a couple times and enjoy!

I love the boaters who pay the marina to "dewinterize" their boats. When I tell them what they need (basically nothing) to do they stare at me like I am from mars, then write the $900 check to the marina.