What is this? Numbers in bilge?

Kendall

Kendall

Member
Feb 3, 2009
369
Lake Wylie SC/SC Coast
Boat Info
2006 260DA
"WET BAR"
Generator

Tow Vehicle:
2006 F-350 Dually 4X4 Diesel
Engines
350 MAG w/Bravo III
That is the Official USCG Number of the boat. Documented boats must have this number permanently "attached" somewhere in the bilge.
 
Looks like the bilge paint needs some touch up between the stringers, I think Hampton has a nice post on touching up bilge paint.
 
Dang, someone finally comes up with a question I know the answer to and two guys beat me to it. Figures!
 
Wow! You guys are fast!

Didn't know you would typically document a smaller boat like a 290 AJ. What is the advantage of documenting or is this required for a charter boat? Decent hours ~ 500 or so but there are some stickers on the trim tab switches to remind somebody to raise the tabs entering the marina....can I search the history by the USCG number?

Thanks for the help!
 
Kendall said:
Wow! You guys are fast!

Didn't know you would typically document a smaller boat like a 290 AJ. What is the advantage of documenting or is this required for a charter boat? Decent hours ~ 500 or so but there are some stickers on the trim tab switches to remind somebody to raise the tabs entering the marina....can I search the history by the USCG number?

Thanks for the help!
Click to expand...

My boat is documented. It was required by the original lender (Sun Trust) on ALL boats they financed over 28' in length. Typically you can get a better interest rate with a documented boat because the lender has a stronger lien on the property than if it is state registered. That is why there is less risk on the loan therefore a lower rate. After all of the REPOs many of the banks had to deal with, many now require boats of a certain length or value to be documented. As I said this was the case with Sun Trust but not the Credit Union I refinanced it with. Other than a potentially lower rate, I guess the other upside is free registration renewals. I was told for 5 years but have not reached that point yet.

Edit/Add: I would imagine any ocean going vessel owner would prefer a USCG Documentation, if for nothing else, for a Registered Name and Hailing Port.
 
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My 260 Sundancer was documented. In MO you don't pay sales tax on documented boats - you pay an in-lieu tax which is a 1/4 of sales tax. Plus lenders require it to be documented.
 
Amazing the information available from you guys on this site.

Thanks again.

I'll take a closer look at this 290 the seller/dealer says it was dry stored thus no bottom paint but I thought the bilge was a little rough but I'm not used to salt water bilges....
 
Kendall said:
Amazing the information available from you guys on this site.

Thanks again.

I'll take a closer look at this 290 the seller/dealer says it was dry stored thus no bottom paint but I thought the bilge was a little rough but I'm not used to salt water bilges....
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I had the bilge coating peeling off on my boat as well and I was freaking out, but I found out here that it's fairly common and easily fixed. The red your seeing is fiberglass under the coating. http://clubsearay.com/showthread.ph...gine-compartment?highlight=engine+compartment
 
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That bilge is terrible! Look at the pulleys! That boat looks like it has been neglected in the maintenance department. I would really look close at this boat and the price better be real good,....imho

I have been down that road before and never again! Once that corrosion sets in, there's no stopping it!
 
floriduramax1 said:
That bilge is terrible! Look at the pulleys! That boat looks like it has been neglected in the maintenance department. I would really look close at this boat and the price better be real good,....imho

I have been down that road before and never again! Once that corrosion sets in, there's no stopping it!
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I agree! Keep looking...
 
For those of us that travel to and from foreign countries on our boats (Bahamas) there are a couple of other reason to document a vessel.

[h=2]WHY DOCUMENT ?[/h]Documentation is the federal registration of a boat with the US Coast Guard. US Coast Guard vessel documentation is recognized internationally as a certificate of ownership and nationality. Therefore, documented vessels are protected as Vessels of The United States.
To be federally documented, the owners of the vessel must be citizens of the United States. Usually, any boat over 26 feet in length qualifies for documentation. A documented vessel is identified by an 'Official Number' which is carved or bonded to the hull of the vessel. This permanent numbering system acts as a theft deterrent. If stolen, a documented vessel falls under federal jurisdiction for recovery and prosecution, rather than state or local.
 
If the boat was dry rack stored then the owners put the stickers on the trim tabs to raise them in the marina so the forklift driver wouldnt raise the boat with the tabs down and crush/bend them while picking up the boat. We did this with a few of my friends boats at Trail Creek marina that has rack storage by us. It happens a lot, the sticker is a good reminder!

Being that the boat was rack stored I would venture to say the owner ran the boat, and put her away without much preventative maintenance in the bilge since he is probably off the boat the moment hes at the dock.
 
floriduramax1 said:
That bilge is terrible! Look at the pulleys! That boat looks like it has been neglected in the maintenance department. I would really look close at this boat and the price better be real good,....imho

I have been down that road before and never again! Once that corrosion sets in, there's no stopping it!
Click to expand...

I was thinking the same....dry stored but maybe put up without a fresh water rinse.

I'm moving on. Price is $39,900 for this 2002.
 
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