darylann wrote:buster53 wrote:Source of the post ...
Another question, if you have state numbers on the bow, then your boat is not documented. Documented boats cannot have state numbers even though most are registered with the state sticker somewhere on the front end of the boat.
There are state numbers on the bow. But the boat also had been documented. According to the Illinois DMV website: "A watercraft which has a valid marine document issued by the United States Coast Guard, National Vessel Documentation Center, is required to be registered (not titled) in Illinois if used upon the waters of this State for more than 60 days in any calendar year." I'm still not sure if this means that the numbers MUST be displayed or not; I've heard conflicting answers to that question.
With numbers on the bow, the boat had at one time been documented, but most likely, a previous owner let it lapse and went the state registration route with bow numbers.
Coast Guard regulations are very clear, a documented boat can be state registered and display the registration sticker but CANNOT display numbers. If your boats CG Documentation is still current, then you are violating CG regs by displaying state numbers.