FEDERAL LAWS & REGULATIONS All boating and shipping are subject to laws and regulations. The former consists of acts of Congress that provide basic policies and rules upon which more specific and detailed regulations may be based. Regulations have the advantage of flexibility because they can be created, modified, or revoked more easily than laws, whose changes are subject to the full legislative process; see Figure 2-03. People ask Does a documented boat need to be registered? What is a certificate of documentation? What size boat do you have to register? Why should I document my boat? Plan Your Cruise The boat is in perfect shape, and the weather is looking good. Where will you go? What will you do? Why, plan your cruise, of course. Opt for the kind that you and your crew will enjoy without breaking your budget, then learn how to figure out the cruising time to a destination, and how to decide if a particular harbor or marina is right for you. U.S. Coast Guard Re...