I am assuming that you are not talking about a trailerable boat, of course.
What I'm interested in a trailerable trawler or similar. May concern regarding the budget is about registration, insurance, fees or similar.
. . . towing policy,
So the cost may be then. Price of the boat +tax (Trailer if the tralier is not included with the boat), registration, insurance that allow me to trail the boat. Does the boat need to be inspected by Coast Guard before been use?
Answering the last question . . . no. But with a caveat. When you are on the water, they do have a right to inspect it. So long as you are carrying the required equipment on board you are generally OK on that front. I suppose that in theory they could say that it is not seaworthy and make you put it back on the trailer. But I have never heard of them doing that (although we do have some ex-USCG guys on here that might want to comment on that).
Just to give a different perspective to this:
We bought our 80's trawler for about $75k... In four years, we've spent far more than that in maintenance. Yes, newer boats and trailerable boats *MAY* have less upkeep, but as the owner of a million-dollar and brand new yacht told us one time... "The difference in my boat and yours is that all the **** that breaks on my boat is new."
It really is way more expensive of a lifestyle than I would have imagined.
I would like some clarification here. I realize that the CG has jurisdiction on the water but do they have the same access to board your boat(ie no probable cause) if the boat is NOT documented? I was under the impression that if it is documented, then they have full access to your boat...by definition of documentation. But do they have that same access if it is NOT documented????..We are talking legalities here!
I'll go out on a limb here, because I never did any maritime law. And will gladly be corrected by someone who does know. But my understanding is that they do have the right to board whether it is documented or not, so long as it is on navigable waters. Again, will be more than glad to be told that I am wrong if I am wrong.
Baker
By statute the US Coast Guard can board any vessel in US territorial waters. This has been challenged multiple times over 200 years but the Coast Guard's right to board has been upheld.
To my knowledge the Revenue Cutter Act(?) has never been tested with respect to a land locked lake.
Marty
Baker
By statute the US Coast Guard can board any vessel in US territorial waters. This has been challenged multiple times over 200 years but the Coast Guard's right to board has been upheld.
To my knowledge the Revenue Cutter Act(?) has never been tested with respect to a land locked lake.
Marty
Baker-the USCG right to enforce the applicable laws does not rest on whether or the boat is documented. Its jurisdiction extends to all boats on navigable waters of the US. Every boat, regardless of whether documented or not, has to abide by the laws/regs regarding safety equipment, etc. The USCG has the right to board and inspect for that. One note, generally, the USCG does not have the unfettered right to "search" your boat without some probable cause to do so. For example, they cannot board to check safety gear and then start opening cabinets or pulling up hatches. They have to either have outside information to go beyond the usual safety check or they have see something "in plain sight" while doing the safety check to be able to undertake a full search. Note also that the right to board for the safety check extends to pretty much anywhere in the world. Any US registered vessel, whether documented or state registered, is considered a little piece of the US floating around in the ocean, so the USC can board anywhere.
On a fun note, I have seen two yachts and one large (500'+) ship where the USCG and the DEA were convinced there were drugs hidden on board and after they finished searching, the boats were not a pretty sight. Pretty much torn to shreds. On the ship, they tore up deck plates, pulled just about all the piping out, they must have done $millions in damage.
Interesting stuff guys worthy of its own thread but hardly applicable to the OP's question. He asked if an inspection was needed before use, nothing about search, seizure or narcotics law
Josan, no Coast Guard inspection is needed prior to taking your boat out. There are courtesy inspections offered by the CG Auxiliary and Power Squadron groups that are voluntary but beneficial to boaters, especially newer ones. Those same two groups offer basic seamanship classes that are also very worthwhile to attend offered nationwide at various locations.