1) Documentation is available only to those owners who are citzens of the United States.

2) A bill of sale from the former owner of the vessel will be necessary.

3) An abstract of title may be necessary to ensure that there are not any outstanding encumbrances. Proof will be required to document that any encumbrances have been satisfied.

4) If you finance the purchase of your boat, the financial institution may require that the boat be federally documented. Documentation is generally a requiremnt of such financing because it is only on a U.S. documented vessel that a lender can adequately perfect its security interest in a vessel. A mortage is recorded against the vessel, once it is documented. Federal documentation makes a lender more secure in financing your boat.