Spring is a time of renewal. The flowers are blooming, the leaves are sprouting, and the air is warming up. If you own your recreational vessel, you’ve probably been thinking about taking it back out on the water. Perhaps you’ve done so already. On some spring days, it can feel a little chill. However, on…
The first time that you buy a boat, you may need to take out a loan in order to afford the full cost of the vessel. In order to get a reasonable sum for their purchase, many prospective boat owners choose to take out a type of loan called a preferred ship mortgage. This loan…
Are you considering buying a vessel and want to make sure that it’s the right decision? Does it seem as if a vessel is perhaps “too good to be true?” The last thing anyone wants to happen is to buy a vessel with incorrect or inaccurate information, thus getting less for their money. At our…
Are you worried that it’s been too long since you renewed your vessel registration? Does it seem like this sneaks up on you every year, and you have to stress about getting it done at the last minute? If so, you aren’t alone. That’s something that vessel owners have been dealing with for decades. The…
You have been scouring the recent listings online of boats for sale, and you finally came across one that sparked an interest in you. It looks to be in great shape based on the photos you have seen, is the size you are seeking, has the engine you want, and it is filled with extras…
As a USCG boat owner, you know that having the proper documents for your vessel is an essential component of both owning and operating your boat. On the other hand, were you aware that this documentation has to be updated regularly? If you cannot edit your documentation due to a lack of time, you should…
If you’ve been reading our blogs recently, you’ll notice that we talk a lot about “things we do for our customers.” We know that you have a lot of choices in how you take care of your vessel documentation needs. There are a lot of options, so we’re always trying to do more for our…
Are you under the impression that many words from the boating world vocabulary are abbreviated? Is it tough to sometimes identify what some association names mean? Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. This article will tell you what the differences are between the United States Coast Guard (USCG), the National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC), The…
Once you make the decision to purchase a recreational pleasure craft such as a yacht, there are steps you need to take leading up to and during your purchase. All the typical procedures you would expect, such as choosing the boat, securing financing, and signing ownership documents, are certainly part of what you need to…
Having a commercial boating business can be a fantastic venture. You have the opportunity to be your own boss and create a purposeful work week, the best part being that you can spend some or most of that time out on the open water. Despite the excite and adventure that surrounds being your own boss…
You are probably already aware of the importance of USCG documentation for vessels that exceed 5 net weight tons: if they are used for commercial purposes, they need to get this type of registration. If their main use, on the other hand, is recreational, they have the option of getting this national form of licensing.…
Do you have your eye on purchasing a certain vessel, but just aren’t sure if it’s right for you? Does everything look good “on paper” when it comes to the vessel, yet you still want to know more before you close the deal? When it comes to your money and a potential vessel purchase, being…
Of all of the questions that we get asked, this might be the most common. Knowing what to do with your vessel doesn’t necessarily correspond to knowing what to do with your maritime document. Being the best helmsman or vessel owner does not mean that you will automatically understand vessel documentation. That’s alright, though, and…
Spring is here once again, and summer is just around the corner. You have probably already spent time getting your boat ready for the warmer weather, doing annual maintenance and cleaning after storing your vessel over the winter. While you are taking care of preparing your recreational watercraft for fun and adventures, it is a…
One thing we’ve learned over the years about USCG documentation forms: they weren’t named with regular people in mind. It’s been our experience that most people who own boats would much rather be on their boats than filling out some form. These are legal forms, designed by lawyers and legislators, so they can be a…