US rules for a boat

[Sea Devil]

I am thinking of buying a Trawler type mobo on the SE coast of the US, in order to make the winter seem shorter!

Anybody know what US regs will be involved assuming we are only on board for a few months of the year?

The boat will be US registered - may I keep that?

Assuming it is US flagged do I need a 'boat driving license'?

Any advice gratefully received

Michael

 

[Sdpaddler50]

Michael,

I don't know the details concerning your situation, but here are a few things to consider:

You can register the boat with the USCG, as a documented vessel. Your broker will have details. It's easier than registering it with the state you are in.

You should be able to "keep" the previous owners USCG documentation, but I'm not sure.

There are no compulsory inspections by regulatory authorities. The inspections you will need involve sea trials and engine surveys for the purchase. And for insurance and the loan if you have one.

You will not need a license to drive the typical recreational trawler. However, your insurance carrier will need some type of proof of your past maritime experience.

 

[skipmac]

Hi Michael,

From the context of your question I'm guessing you are not a US citizen. If so, then the information from sdpaddler would not be correct for you.

First some clarification. In the US there are two very different ways to register a boat; one is federal with the USCG which is correctly called "documentation". The other option is to register the boat with any of the 50 US states.

If you are not a US citizen you cannot use the USCG documentation. You can set up a US corporation to own the boat with you as the shareholder and get around this restriction but that's a bit of a pain and not necessary. State registration is available to non citizens and in most cases is quite easy and inexpensive. I say most cases because every state is different and has different requirements.

In most states on the US east coast you just take a copy of the title or bill of sale to the appropriate office, pay a small fee typically $50-$200 and you are given sticker to apply to the boat and a registration number. If the vessel you buy is currently USCG documented you will have to file a form with the USCG to have the vessel removed from documentation. The office that manages this is quite helpful and can assist you with that process.

In most states you will have to deal with the issue of sales tax or sales and use tax. It's like VAT but a lot less, usually 6%. Some states have no tax on used boats, some have exemptions, some have max limits. Also be aware that some states have an annual property tax on the value of any assets (like a boat) you own or register in that state.

Florida I think would be a good place to base the boat. I'm pretty sure they will charge you the 6% sales tax unless there is some kind of exemption for non citizens but registration is easy and there is no annual ad valorem tax, just registration renewal each year for under $100.

This does not address any issues with visas, cruising permits for foreign owned vessels, etc which I know nothing about since I'm a local boy and don't need to deal with any of that. This would be the subject for a whole new discussion.

 

[skipmac]

Regarding license, currently only one or two states require any sort of training, permit, license or what have you and as far as I know, those are only for residents of that state.

I do think it's a bit odd, but in the US you can buy any size or type of boat you can afford with zero previous experience on boats and take off the same day. So, win the lottery, run down to the local store, buy a 40' 2000 HP speed boat that will go 150 mph and you're free to go.

 

[jrudge]

Uk is the same as long as it is less than 24m water line length.

 

[skipmac]

Uk is the same as long as it is less than 24m water line length.

Not that I am in favor of the government regulating my life any further but I do think this is a bit insane. One can't take a motor scooter that won't go faster than 30mph down a country lane with out a driving license but actually could buy a 150 mph speedboat and drive it anywhere one likes without any permits or restrictions.

I will mention that many states do mandate a minimum age of 16 to operate a boat without adult supervision and a very few states do require operators to show they have passed a very basic class but that's about the limit of it.

 

[Tranona]

Not that I am in favor of the government regulating my life any further but I do think this is a bit insane. One can't take a motor scooter that won't go faster than 30mph down a country lane with out a driving license but actually could buy a 150 mph speedboat and drive it anywhere one likes without any permits or restrictions.

I will mention that many states do mandate a minimum age of 16 to operate a boat without adult supervision and a very few states do require operators to show they have passed a very basic class but that's about the limit of it.

If you analyze the comprehensive USCG accident data you will find the vast majority of "accidents" involve small petrol powered speedboats on lakes and rivers and very few on larger boats or in coastal waters. Expect, if it is anything like here very few accidents are caused by incompetent helms, with the possible exception of those involving speedboats..... Little evidence that accident rates or skipper competence are any different in the states that do have compulsory licencing.

 

[skipmac]

If you analyze the comprehensive USCG accident data you will find the vast majority of "accidents" involve small petrol powered speedboats on lakes and rivers and very few on larger boats or in coastal waters. Expect, if it is anything like here very few accidents are caused by incompetent helms, with the possible exception of those involving speedboats..... Little evidence that accident rates or skipper competence are any different in the states that do have compulsory licencing.

I was just using the 2000 HP, 150 mph as an extreme example but from the local news, internet postings, etc the majority of the serious boat incidents IE those involving serious injury or more are from speedboats, mostly smaller but wouldn't that be because there are many, many more small speedboats on the water? Regarding the point that most accidents involve these boats, perhaps a combination of the number of small speedboats and the fact that accidents on sailboats, larger, displacement speed power boats, etc are less likely due to the slower speeds and if they do occur happen at a slow speed and are less likely to cause injury or major damage

Whether requiring some kind of license, training or permit would mitigate this remains to be seen but that doesn't change my opinion that it is the height of folly to allow anyone over 16 with zero training or experience to buy a high powered, high speed boat, regardless of size or location and go out on the water unsupervised.