If you have the time to call CG and talk to them they will outline what you need to do. and i think it is going to depend on access to those past owners for an easy out.

But I thinking that the only real reason to document would be for a newer high priced boat with a steep mortgage on it ... and that probably would be required by the mortgage company ...

I have documentation, but don't see how it has done anything for me for the last 25 years other than not have to stick numbers on the bow.

And documented boats are supposed to fly the US flag, which I like to do anyway. It doesn't cost anything to keep documented once you are documented.

So let me show my ignorance and ask why you would want to have your boat documented? Is it a tax issue?

It is beneficial if you leave the country. Documentation states that your vessel is a member of the fleet of the USA. Therefore, if a country seizes your boat, it is seizing a US vessel which carries more weight if it is not documented. On the down side, if the Government needed it, it could seize your vessel for an emergency. (think Dunkirk) which is very unlikely. I discussed this with a yacht captain who travels abroad alot, and he is strongly in favor of documentation.

My original yacht mortgage required the vessel be documented.Over the years I just kept renewing it with the USCG. The mortgage and its many successors have long been retired thankfully.

Zephyr V2.0 is USCG documented. Let's see query of where the fleet members with USCG documentation have engraved the USCG document number inside the hull. Forgive me if this information was posted in the past.

Great information team!! This is all very helpful. Thanks.

On Rauzer II the USCG # is a plastic panel with 4" raised black numbers laminated to the hull with fiberglass behind the starboard aft solon back cushion. The documentation registration was allowed to lapse many years ago, however if you look up the number on their sight, the name is still there.

For the most recent vessel documentation information, forms and instructions visit: http://www.uscg.mil/hq/cg5/nvdc/

If the vessel has been issued a number, completing a renewal and sending the required $84.00, Reading the 'fine print': Vessel owners are required to renew Certificates of Documentation each year. Failure to renew the endorsement(s) may result in the vessel being removed from documentation. Operation of a vessel with expires endoresements may result in a civil penalty. If the vessel has been lost, sold, abandoned, destroyed, or placed under state numbering, the vessel owner must notify the National Vessel Documentation Center in writing. If the Certificate of Documentation is available, it must be surrendered. If any of the information shown on the Certificate of Documentation, other than the address of the owner, has changed, please contact the National Vessel Documentation Center for advice on how to proceed. The toll free number is 1 800 799-8362. I have delt with Diane Miller, Documentation Officer, who was very helpful.
Fair winds,
Jerry