Regulations for homebuilt power boats?

[HarryH]

I am puttering along building my 23' inboard 'Pogo', designed in 1965 by Fred Bates of Damariscotta. My plans were printed in 1973, and Mr. Bates (deceased) and Co. no longer exist.

I hope to take advantage of advances in cooling, steering and power made since then, but I am wondering about USCG and other regulations for homebuilt power boats. I downloaded Coast Guard guidelines for backyard builders, but found it pretty generic. Are there specific areas to pay attention to now that will minimize trouble when it comes time to "get stickered"?

[Steve Lansdowne]

I'm sure not an expert in this area. To get you started, I recall that there have been various other posts on this topic here on the forum, so you might try the search function using "registration".

The state of registry, in your case MA, does the stickering, thus you'd best try their web sites. I believe that any Coast Guard safety regulations may pertain to boats "for hire" or to those equipped to carry more than a given number of passengers more than to smaller boats for personal use only. When I registered my small sailing/rowing skiff in Texas the main focus of the state agency was in proving that I had built it and that it was built to plans of a given year and built by me in a given year. There was no apparent concern for the safety or seaworthy features of the boat. Given that you have a motor-powered boat, things may be different, especially if it is an inboard. Likely as not, others with more experience in this area will respond also.

[videoguy]

Hi harry I’m building a redwing 21 by karl stambaugh . I know what you mean about the coast guard I couldn’t get much info ether. I was mostly concerned about mounting the fuel tank. and the bilge blower. Getting the state registration numbers can be fun to in NJ I had to get the state police to inspect the boat to make sure I built it they just wanted to make sure it wasn’t stolen. SO to get my hull number I needed the statement from the police, a notarized construction plan, 4 pictures of the boat fore aft port and starboard. After that I can apply for the registration numbers. I hope it’s easier in cape cod. smile.gif smile.gif smile.gif ....Phil

[capt jake]

Phil, isn't it time for another update with pictures?? ;) ;)

[kc8pql]

Other than the hassel of geting the HIN, title and registration, you'll find that your insurance company will be a lot pickier about how you built things than anyone else, unless you plan to use the boat for commercial puropses. Then the Coast Guard will get involved.

[George Roberts]

HarryH ---

I believe that the "guidelines for backyard builders" covers everything.

In case it does not the following link has the requirements.

regulations (http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder/part1_landing.htm)

[willmarsh3]

In Alabama when I registered my Elver I had to do the following:

1) Call the Marine Police Division and get an application form, filled it out, and mailed it in.

2) A few weeks later I got a policeman to come visit and inspect the boat. He asked if I was going to sell her when finished. I told him it was a homebuilt, one time and for personal use. A few minutes later he gave me a boat registration number, HIN stickers and some paperwork.

3) I took the paperwork to the courthouse and paid my registration fee, and got a year sticker.

4) After finishing painting, I will stick all these numbers on the boat.

Will

[HarryH]

Thank you for the replies....all helpful. Regarding the insurance company involvement: there was a story recently in the news about a guy who had spent many years of his adult life building the vessel of his dreams, but he could not get it insured, hence registered.....he wants to give it away, so he can at least go for a sail in it somehow.

I am going to chase down the above link, hit the insurance folks then the Div of Rec Vehicles, as it is called here, I guess...

[capt jake]

This is always an interesting topic for me as the 'rules' seem to vary so much.

As far as my small sailboat went, all I had to produce was the 'largest' receipts for materials. They said this was to prove that I built it. Then I had to assign a value to the boat so that they could charge me a 'use' tax. :( Yup! Tax me on my own labor!! (They call it use tax instead of sales tax to make not sound as bad)

That is all they required; no pictures, no inspection! I am curious what the 'rules' will be when I near completion of the next project, as it is a large power boat.

This was in WA state.

[HarryH]

Capt. Jake-

Just tooling around the USCG guidelines, it appears sailboats and powerboats differ as to scrutiny. I'd be interested in your situation as it develops..

Flotation is an issue, apparently to vessels under 20 ft., and sailboats are excluded entirely, if I skimmed effectively. Anyone familiar with this?

[kc8pql]

It worked like this for me. HIN's are issued by the Dept. of Natural Resorces, Division of Watercraft. The boat needs to be inspected to get the HIN. If the boat is small enough to move. You take it to one of several regonal offices. Mine is 45' LOA, 25000 lbs. disp. so they came to me. All they wanted was to be sure I had built the boat, that it had never had a HIN and that it wasn't stolen. The officer didn't even go up the ladder to take a look or walk all the way around it for that matter. The only information he needed was the type of boat (sail) LOA, Beam and the engine make, model and serial number, my name as builder and what year I wanted call it (2004). About four days later I got the number plates in the mail along with a form listing the above information and the Make as "HOMEMADE" to take to the Bureau of Motor Vehicles to get a title. The lady at MV took the form and started typing. Then she asked me if 45' was a misprint. I said no, the boat's 45' long. Then she asked what the sale price was. I sald I built it myself. There was no sale. She got a very confuesd look on her face. The the manager came up and looked at my form and told her that since it was "honemade" there was no sales tax. They issued my title and charged me a $7 document fee and that was that. With the title, I can either get state registration of federal documentation.

Ken

[NormMessinger]

That's pretty much how it worked in Nebraska except there is no inspection. The HIN was punched out on aluminum tape with a dymo tape writer but what does one expect for $30. Insurance was never mentioned. I got that later, liability only from State Farm.

[Don Chapin]

I built a Diablo from Harold Payson instant boats book several years ago when I lived on Cape Cod. The process was to go to Hyannis to the office that registers recreational vehicles and boats, then take the boat to the Hyannis mall on I believe a Saturday when it could be inspected, then return to the registration office with the inspection paperwork to get the registration. It may have changed some in the last 8-10 years. Have some information such as receipts, spreadsheet, etc that represent the cost of construction and show sales tax having been paid on all materials.

[diggergilks]

For HarryH. From your post it appears you have a full set of plans for the "Pogo" designed by Fred Bates. Would is be possible for us to get a copy of these plans (at our expense of course), or are they still available elsewhere? From the Bates estate maybe? Appreciate your help and advice in obtaining a set of plans. Please feel free to send me a note directly to jeanandme@maine.rr.com.
Thanks so much. I hope your building project has come along well.
Randy

[Nick C]

The Coast Gaurd doesn't come into play until your boat is over 5 tons. This is under some weird formula that is beyond me, but a fairly large boat.

If your boat is over 21 feet it gets past some CG regs on floatation and horsepower.

Essentially smaller boats are subject to DMV rules in most states.