Laws surrounding boat construction and use?

Discussion in 'Boatbuilding' started by parkland, Apr 7, 2014.

  1. parkland
    Joined: Jul 2012
    Posts: 700
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    Location: canada

    parkland Senior Member

    Hi,

    Do any of you guys have any ideas or experiences with what exactly is required from a boat that is constructed, as far as someone renting it?
    My personal thoughts are that I'm still looking at building one.
    Probably 30-40 ft. houseboat trawler style.
    Can I rent it out?

    What legal hurdles have to be jumped through to rent out a vessel?
    If a boat is built from a coast guard approved pontoon boat kit, is that a start?
    Is it even worth it, or a giant pain in the arse?

    What if the hull is welded by professional welder; can it get inspected and recieve a stamp of approval of some type that would say it's safe?

    I've never really thought much about this, but all the searching on the google machine is just bringing up threads about insurance.
     
    parkland, Apr 7, 2014
    #1
  2. Stumble
    Joined: Oct 2008
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    Location: New Orleans

    Stumble Senior Member

    A lot has to do with exactly where, to who, and for what. But a lot of these decisions are also driven not by the law, but by insurance companies.
     
    Stumble, Apr 7, 2014
    #2
  3. rwatson
    Joined: Aug 2007
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    Location: Tasmania,Australia

    rwatson Senior Member

    In my part of the world, MAST ( Marine Authority of Tasmania ) are responsible for all things Marine in the State, including Survey - the certificate needed to hire a boat out.

    Your qualified designer must submit enough engineering and design detail to satisfy them as to the seaworthiness of the craft.

    I know that some coast guard authorities put a lot of faith in 'proven designs' that have been operating in their area, for say 5 years.

    So the designer is the person who has to convince the marine authority to certify the boat, and if they have existing boats in operation in survey, life will be easier.

    But - you will also have to satisfy them that the builder is competent. For a start, they will check your building location - it has to be a proper shed, no open grounds, backyard. They will also drop by several times during the build to check on progress.

    This is only for your 'bareboat charter' deals.

    For regular, fare paying passenger craft, or fishing boats - it gets way harder.
     
    rwatson, Apr 8, 2014
    #3
  4. DCockey
    Joined: Oct 2009
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    Location: Midcoast Maine

    DCockey Senior Member

    DCockey, Apr 8, 2014
    #4

  6. parkland
    Joined: Jul 2012
    Posts: 700
    Likes: 6, Points: 18, Legacy Rep: 40
    Location: canada

    parkland Senior Member

    parkland, Apr 9, 2014
    #5
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