The SC-28 offers local advantages and national privileges regarding Coast Guard documentation vs. state registration. Because there is no state vessel registration or decal fee, you will save money. Check with your state’s department of motor vehicles to see if this option is available, but it may be worth doing some research to see if your state can issue SC-28s instead of titles or license plates.
Remember that no matter which path you take toward USCG vessel safety, you’ll need to perform regular inspections. Your specific requirements will most likely drive the decision between Coast Guard documentation vs. state registration. Even so, is it even necessary? Most of the time, the answer will be no. In other words, unless your state requires it, there is no reason for anyone to stop using their boat the way they had previously. Here is a comparison of the two.
Boats Over 26 Feet in Length Must Be Registered with The Coast Guard. This Size Boat Does Not Require State Registration.
If your vessel is longer than 26 feet, you do not need to register it with the state. You may register your boat with the state if it is less than 26 feet long. Before applying for state registration, most states require that a boat’s overall length not exceed 40 feet. Under U.S. Coast Guard regulations, all boats 26 feet or longer must be registered (USCG).
If you’re overwhelmed by this knowledge, don’t be. Registration of your yacht in your home state, even if not necessary, is nevertheless a brilliant idea. As a result, if you ever need to get a title for your boat, you’ll have to go via your state rather than the U.S. Coast Guard. Consider state registration in the event of an emergency, such as when you require support from local authorities or the Coast Guard. Without sufficient paperwork, these authorities cannot verify the authority of a boat and hence cannot provide aid if it is only registered with the Coast Guard, according to Wikipedia.org.
Coast Guard Documentation Vs. State Registration: State Registrations Tend to Be Simpler and Less Time-Consuming Than Coast Guard Registrations, Which Are More Complicated.
State registrations are generally less complicated and time-consuming than Coast Guard registrations. There is a general belief that state registrations are preferable to federal ones. This is not always the case, but it may be preferable for people who have no problem with a state registration other than the expense. A possibility of preference is expected when comparing products and services. There are occasions when an item or service is superior to another, even though it costs more money.
The Coast Guard registration costs linked with the USCG paperwork fees might appear excessive in certain situations. State and Coast Guard documentation for vessel registration may seem identical, but they are, in reality, highly different. On the other hand, Coast Guard paperwork is more complex and expensive to complete. Understanding Coast Guard documentation vs. state registration might help you choose the best option for your vessel.
While Coast Guard Registration Is Valid Worldwide, State Registration Is Only Valid in The State Where the Boat Is Registered.
When comparing Coast Guard paperwork with state registration, there are significant distinctions. One crucial difference is that Coast Guard paperwork is valid across the United States, but state registration is only valid in the state in which it was obtained. If your vessel is apprehended trespassing in protected waters by a state you are not registered in, you might face a fine of up to $500 or even more.
Complying with this citation may need a significant investment of time, legal expenses, and financial resources. There are also several differences in rules and regulations from one state to the next. Speed limitations and allowed horsepower limits on various state rivers are two prominent examples. For example, Maine’s waterway rules allow 300 horsepower on boats less than 65 feet, but Rhode Island’s requirements allow 600 horsepower on vessels less than 65 feet in length. It is unnecessary to be concerned about the differences in rules and regulations across states while using Coast Guard-certified boats.
According to the USCG documentation rule, a person can only record their vessel with either state registration or USCG paperwork, not both. Only those who acquired a boat from someone who had already registered it and now wish to transfer the registration to their name should be concerned about this.
At this stage, several possibilities exist. This would need the other legal owner to put their name to the title as a joint owner, but they could also wait until they had the opportunity to transfer ownership before applying for Coast Guard paperwork. For further information, call the marine documentation office at 1-800-535-8570.’s