Registration, airworthiness, insurance and maintenance records — what to keep, and why this paperwork is so easy to lose track of.
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Owning an aircraft or a boat comes with a different, often more scattered, paperwork trail than owning a car — kept partly at home, partly at a hangar or marina, and partly with a maintenance organisation. It is precisely the kind of documentation that is easy to lose track of, because it is used seasonally rather than every day.
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Certificate of Registration (G-registration) | Confirms the aircraft is registered with the UK CAA and who holds it |
| Certificate of Airworthiness / Permit to Fly | Confirms the aircraft is legally permitted to fly |
| Maintenance logbooks | Full record of inspections, repairs and modifications — essential for airworthiness and resale value |
| Insurance certificate | Hull and liability cover, often required by the airfield or hangar operator |
| Weight & balance / equipment list | Required documentation for safe operation |
UK leisure boat ownership works differently from cars — there is generally no universal registration requirement for private use on inland waters, but several documents still matter a great deal:
| Document | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Part 1 (SSR) registration | Needed if you intend to take the boat abroad or want proof of British nationality for the vessel |
| Bill of sale / proof of ownership | Confirms who owns the vessel — important for resale and insurance |
| RCD / CE compliance documents | Recreational Craft Directive paperwork, relevant when buying new or importing a vessel |
| Insurance certificate | Not always a legal requirement, but usually required by marinas and moorings |
| Engine & hull service records | Protects resale value and warranty claims, much like a car's service history |
| Mooring / berth agreement | Confirms your rights and obligations at a marina or mooring |
Requirements can vary depending on the type of vessel and how it is used — always confirm current rules with the Small Ships Register or the CAA for aircraft-specific requirements.
Unlike a car you drive daily, aircraft and boats are often used seasonally and stored away from home — in a hangar, at a marina, or with a maintenance organisation holding some of the original documents. That means the "single drawer" approach that just about works for household paperwork breaks down quickly: by the time you need a document, it might be at the airfield, in an old email, or with a broker from years ago.
How Shaboodle helps: Shaboodle gives aircraft and boats their own dedicated document vaults — registration, airworthiness, maintenance logs, insurance and more — accessible from anywhere, with reminders before anything expires. See aircraft owners → · See boat owners →
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