The 5 tom measurement when documenting is NOT a weight
measurement, it is just a combination of measurements that when
applied to the formula come out 5 or larger. There is a 24 foot
Dana sitting next to me right now that is documented, there is no
size limit. The procedures for documenting have been relaxed
considerably in the past few years, you can do it yourself by filling
out about 3 forms and sending them in with the appropriate fees.
No more long drawn out paper trail of previous owners, master
builders statements and the like. One berther here in the marina
just bought a used Hunter 30 from a guy berthed here, his bank
told him that they would knock off 1% interest if he would
document the boat . . . he did, and they did. The Newporter ketch I
just aquired was previously documented as the "Annabelle", and
was documented as such when the previous owner bought it. He
had a bad experience with an old girlfriend named Annabelle, so he
dropped the documentation and wouldn't put a name on the boat. I
will more than likely re-document in the very near future. If you are
going to be sailing to many foreign ports, it is advisable to be
documented. a lot of them don't give a rats rear end about state
registration, means nothing to them.
Happy firecrackers to all . . . . .
Dik Richardson "I'd rather be in Baja"
'Hamada' HMS 18 #11
'Vas Kora' Islander 33 #363
'maņana' Newporter 40 Ketch #87
Hidden Harbor Marina, Rio Vista, CA