Hutch Trailer for Com-Pac 19II

[JLaman]

Hello all!  I purchased a 1985 CP 19II in NC in December.  The boat is on the original Hutch trailer.  What I am desperately looking for is the empty trailer weight and GVWR.  I need it to get a PA license plate and title.  That's the short story.  My longer, sad story, if you are interested:

I have the signed over, trailer title notorized from the previous owner along with the bill of sale.  The NC title does not list the trailer weight or GVWR.  PA requires this to issue a new title and license.  My problem is that I don't have a lake near here to float the boat off the trailer and get it weighed.  I will (pending legal issues) transport the boat to Michigan where I will sail each season.  Any help anyone can give me on this would really be appreciated. I am hoping one of you has the weight listed on your own title or some other legal looking document that I might be able to get a copy of.  So far Com-Pac Yachts hasn't been helpful even thought they claim to know the weight is 450 lbs.  I just can't seem to get them to send me anything that states this.

My other more serious problem, which none of you can solve, but might be of interest is that PA requires confirmation of the VIN number.  1985 Hutch trailers posted the VIN and other info on a sticker rather than a VIN plate.  I can see mine, but the previous owner was very meticulous about paint the trailer, also painted the sticker with more than a few coats of gray paint.  Now I am dealing with the PA state police and pleading with the previous owner to obtain a duplicate VIN plate.  PA assumes that the trailer is stolen.  What a mess.  I never suspected this as I left NC with title and bill of sale in hand.

Anyway, thanks for listening and any help you might be!

Jeff L.

[Ralph Erickson]

Hey, Jeff.  You're in luck!  I live in PA, and just purchased a 1986 CP 19II from a guy in NC, and just registered my boat and trailer and got the license plate and title.  The previous owners title said the empty trailer (unladen) weight was 500lbs, so that's what I put on mine.  Actually, the Dept. of Motor Vehicles never questioned it - they just asked me how much it weighed and I told them 500lbs.  GVWR is 3,000. 

My trailer didn't have a VIN plate, but getting verification is very easy and straightforward.  I called the PA State Police, and an officer came by my home, which was where the boat was (within a half hour after I called!) and filled out the required paperwork. (Took 10 minutes).  You don't need the vin plate.   Do not fill in the part of the form that says you are requesting a duplicate VIN plate.  You are simply requesting officer verification of the VIN number because yours has been defaced or is missing.   I did the same thing when I bought my CP 16 from out of state a few years ago.

What part of PA are you from?  I didn't go to the Dept. of Motor vehicles offices to process the paperwork, but I went to a local insurance agency that handles this type of thing too.  No lines, no hassles.  Cost a few bucks for them to process everything, but it's worth it to me. 

If you have any further questions, let me know. 

Ralph

[JLaman]

Ralph,

Wow, you are giving me hope that I'll actually get on the road!  I am in State College.  How about you?  Funny you also purchased the CP in NC.  I went to AAA first and they told me I needed documentation of the weight.  I decided to try the local tag shop -- same story.  Do you have a copy of your boat's previous owner title that has the weights?  I think that would do it for me if it says it's a Hutch trailer.

On the VIN, I called the PA police in Lewistown and they told me that I needed to try to get the previous owner to obtain a "duplicate VIN plate" from NC.  The previous owner agreed to look into it, but he isn't real thrilled.  If no dublicate VIN plate, I need a "letter of refusal" from NC so the PA state police will know I tried but without success.  Sounds like you didn't have to go through all that first.  What state police barracks did you call?  I think I will end up with the VIN straightened out okay eventually.  The weight is another matter.

Thanks for your reply.  Let me know if you have any idea how I could show some form of documentation of the weights.

Jeff

[Ralph Erickson]

Hey, Jeff.  I'm outside of Allentown.  I don't have a copy of the previous owner's title, but I have my PA title that I just received 2 days ago that has the weights.  I'd say a copy of mine would work, since it's the same kind of boat and trailer.  I'd be happy to fax you a copy.  Can't fax it till Monday, however, when I go to work.

About the VIN, I called the Fogelsville State Police barracks.  When I called them, I just told them I needed them to come out to verify the VIN number on my boat trailer.  When he got here, he looked at the boat and trailer, looked around for a VIN plate or sticker (I showed him where it had been - it had peeled off long ago obviously), then he punched the VIN number into his computer in his car to see if it was stolen. Of couse, it wasn't, so he signed the form.  You can get the form from the Dept of Motor Vehicles.

Ralph

[JLaman]

Ralph,

That's really a great offer!  Thanks so much.  My fax number at work is 814-863-7304.  Based on my converstations with AAA and the tag shop, I am pretty sure they will accept that.  They just seemed to want something that had weights.  I am hoping the state police in Lewistown are eventually as cooperative as your experience.  I will get the form after I hear from the previous owner.

Jeff

[Ralph Erickson]

No problem, Jeff.  I'll fax it off to you first thing tomorrow morning (Monday).

Ralph

[Ralph Erickson]

Jeff, tried the fax number 814-863-7304, and wouldn't go through. Tried several times.  You can call me at 610-969-2869 if you wish.  Thanks.

Ralph

[Gil Weiss]

Hi Ralph,

I was thinking of you when I painted Steppin' Up's bottom last week. You got more to paint! I am looking to get in the water either this Sunday or on mother's day as after two busy work weekends I am ready. Boat never looked this good!

When do you think your dunking Sea Maiden?

Cheers, Gil

[Ralph Erickson]

Hey, Gil!   Don't remind me about having a bigger bottom to paint!  Ugh!  I'm in the process of stripping the paint off and that's a job in itself.  Then, the long process of barrier coating & bottom painting.  Doesn't look like I'll have her in the water until mid to end May.  It would be sooner but we're going to South Carolina this weekend through next week as my son is graduating college, then we're spending a week at Surfside Beach, SC.  It will be nice to get away, but I'm so anxious to get the boat in the water, we may come back a couple days early. 

Can't wait to see how good Steppin Up looks.  By the way, I'm re-naming "Sea Maiden" to "Patricia Lee".  Going to go through the whole ritual, I presume! 

Ralph