Naming my Boat

[mark47]

I'm getting closer to completing my Penobscot 17. I'm going to name it after my granddaughter. Most of the boats I see have the name on the transom. I'd prefer not to do that because of the rudder and motor I may use on occasion. Any protocol on where names should go?? I live in CA and I have noticed all small boats are registered w/ numbers on the bow. However most of the boats I see in Wooden Boat magazine don't have the reg #'s. Is this just a CA thing?

I'm new to this site, love it. thanks.

[crawdaddyjim50]

Not sure about the reg thing. But if your granddaughter's name is too long for either side of the rudder. What about her nickname? And you can still put it on the bow if you want. Heck you built it.

[Ron Paro]

I live in CA and I have noticed all small boats are registered w/ numbers on the bow. However most of the boats I see in Wooden Boat magazine don't have the reg #'s. Is this just a CA thing?


The California registration requirements can be found on this page: http://www.dmv.ca.gov/boatsinfo/boatreg.htm

If you don't plan to use any type of motor, engine, or sail to power your boat, then you are not required to register it. If you do use any of these, then you will be required to register it, and display 3" or larger numbers and letters on both sides of the bow.

I have seen many boats with the boat name carved or painted on a long plaque that is mounted near the bow. I think it is possible to have both, the registration, and the boat name on the bow.

[Woxbox]

If you do use any of these, then you will be required to register it, and display 3" or larger numbers and letters on both sides of the bow.


These are state rules and may vary, but the states I've checked out have this same requirement. BUT ... around the Chesapeake Bay, where I sail the most, and elsewhere most boat owners don't display the registration number plus the sticker to show they're up to date. As far as I can tell, it's not enforced for bigger boats on salt water. But in Pennsylvania, drive anywhere near a launch ramp at a state park without the stickers, and they park cops will be all over you.

So what's the deal? Anyone seen the rule enforced outside of state-run parks?

[ssor]

We just comply to avoid the heart burn.
Bietzpadlin
Perryville ,Md

[Ian McColgin]

It helps to know the law. The federal uniform boating laws establish that all vessels over 18' (if I recall) and all machinery powered vessels must be registered at the state level or documented federally.

If state registered, all states under the federal enabling law require 3" numbers on each bow. If documented, the name is required on each bow. The name and official port are required on the transom or on each side of the stern of a double ender.

You have a motor and you're not enough boat to document. register with the state.

[C. Ross]

mark47

Welcome! First, name the boat after your granddaughter no matter what. A builder's nameplate might be the trick if you can't place the name elsewhere. They're sold in WoodenBoat store http://www.woodenboatstore.com/products.asp?dept=147 and elsewhere.

I'm with Ron ...you could certainly put the name (along with Reg # as necessary) on the bow.

Why don't boats in WoodenBoat have registration #? Some are Documented with the Coast Guard, which exempts them from state license registration (but not other state rules). There are specific rules for documenting boats, which would not extend to a row/sail boat like a Penobscot 17. Or they are small enough to be exempt. Or, if you look carefully, some put registration numbers on nice boards mounted on the lifelines on a sailboat or bow railings on a powerboat.

[Don Z.]

If state registered, all states under the federal enabling law require 3" numbers on each bow. If documented, the name is required on each bow.

Actually, commercial boats are required to paint the name on the bow. Recreational clearly marked anywhere on the hull.

See:USCG FAQ (http://www.uscg.mil/hq/g-m/vdoc/faq.htm#11)

HOW DO I MARK MY VESSEL?

The official number assigned to documented vessels, preceded of the abbreviation "NO." must be marked in block-type Arabic numerals at least three inches high on some clearly visible interior structural part of the hull. The number must be permanently affixed so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious and cause some scarring or damage to the surrounding hull area.

The name and hailing port of a recreational vessel must be marked together on some clearly visible exterior part of the hull. The vessel name of a commercial vessel must also be marked on the port and starboard bow and the vessel name and the hailing port must also be marked on the stern. All markings may be made by any means and materials that result in durable markings and must be at least four inches in height, made in clearly legible letters of the Latin alphabet or Arabic or Roman numerals. The "hailing port" must include both a place and a State, Territory, or possession of in the United States. The state may be abbreviated.

[Tom Robb]

A 17' rowboat is a bit on the small side to require a name though many do that.
SWMBO's or grandchild's name may be politically astute if the wife is less than enthusiastic about "that damn boat."

[Thorne]

I suspect that in California for boats over 8' and under 5 tons/30'
, you are supposed to display the registration / ID number and sticker on the bow, but you rarely see any sort of name or hailing port.

The regs vary **widely** from state to state.

From the CA DMV -

Before you can sail the California waterways in your new boat, you'll need to register it through the California Department of Motor Vehicles (http://www.dmv.org/loading-page.php?mainnav_id=50&stateid=5&state=California&section=Boat+Registration&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.dmv.ca.gov%2Fdmv.htm). DMV law requires that all sailboats more than eight feet long and powerboats of any length be registered, unless they are already documented through the U.S. Coast Guard.
If you bring a vessel into California to be primarily used here, the DMV requires that you register it before you put it in the water and within 120 days.
Exceptions

You will not be required to register the following vessels:
Any vessel propelled by oars or paddles alone.
Sailboats (no motor) eight feet or less in length.
Surfboards or sailboards.
A ship's lifeboat―acording to the DMV, a dinghy is not a lifeboat.
Vessels currently and lawfully registered by another state and that are principally used outside California.
Vessels brought into California for racing are exempt while racing or during tune-ups.
Commercial vessels of five net tons or more, or 30 feet or more in length, must be registered by the U.S. Coast Guard, not the California DMV.
What Are the Regulations for the Vessel Registration Number?

The vessel registration number (CF number) issued by the department must be displayed as follows:

Painted on or permanently attached to each side of the forward half of the vessel.
Be in plain vertical block characters of not less than three inches in height.
Be arranged so that it it reads from left to right.
Contrast with the color of the background so that it is distinctly visible and legible.
Have spaces or hyphens that are equal to the width of a letter other than "I" or a number other than "1" between the prefix and the number, and the number and the suffix. See the example below. Example: CF 1234 AB
What About the Hull Identification Number?

A hull identification number (HIN) must be displayed on all vessels registered in California. The HIN must be:

Permanently affixed to the vessel in such a way that its alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious.
Assigned and affixed by manufacturers to commercially built vessels.
Assigned by the DMV to homemade vessels.

[calvin]

Is there a ritual or procedure for offically naming a boat..my friend had some sort of party and ceremony when he launched his?

[Thorne]

Lots -- try the Forum's search function for "naming ceremony".

http://boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/rename.htm

http://www.48north.com/mr_offline/denaming.htm

http://boatnaming.com.au/

http://www.boatus.com/news/namegame.htm

http://www.boatus.com/goodoldboat/naming.asp

[almeyer]

I had the same concerns on my Penobscot 14. I sail as much as I row, so I had to get state numbers on the front to comply with Texas Law. I put the name on the inside of the transom, to avoid having the rudder split the name. Granted, the outside of the transom is probably more traditional, but it looks alright to me, and I haven't gotten severe tongue-lashings about it. Apparently the judges didn't mind too much.
Al
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