Do you have the original bill of sale and did the last owner transfer the registration into their name. If yes then piss easy. Just give AMSA a call. The bloke that deals with that (Patrick) is super easy to deal with..

If like mine the original owner was still the registered owner and a few owners on you are the first to do the right thing and register in your name, then you're in for a world of hurt.

PM if you need and I can give numbers, details and probably even form numbers.

You need to do the transfer. If you don't, you don't own the vessel.

In this case of son selling yacht he inherited, it should be simple. Cost may be $200 to $500 but worth it.

Aus registration involves a fair bit of documentation such as ships measurements and builder which if the records are lost can make registration impossible. Aus Reg is valueable.

Generally Aus Reg is required before going over seas to another country. I believe there are concessions on that if say you are sailing to New Caledonia or Fiji for a specified time.

Someday, you are right, $444. Just transferred my new boat.

SVAphrodite said..
Is it work keeping the Australian registration?

I think its is very easy to maintain it in practice, there are some details to be aware of:

You need to fill in a form if you change your address, and post back the certificate by registered post, and they will send you out a new certificate for the new address (there is no fee for the change of address).

If you paint the boat then you need to paint the boat name, home port and registration number in the same places using letters of a certain minimum height and font (described in division 3, section 20 of the Shipping Registration Act 1981).

If you want to change the home port or boat name, then there are forms with fees and of course you would have to change the markings on the boat.

If you change the engine, there is a form for the new engine number.