boat purchase with documentation ?
 

buying boat and the owner says he has documentation and does not have the title yet. but will have documentation noterized? what do i need to get from old owner and how do i get the title.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

It's not from National Marine is it?

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

If it's a private seller, it would be held by the bank if he has a loan on it, and he would have to satisfy that loan first i believe, i am under the impression that all boats have a title somewhere..regardless of documentation? each state could be diff?

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Boats with USCG documentation are typically transferred through agents- just like home transactions. I believe they do a search and can provide insurance. Make sure the agent you use has E&O coverage and provides you with documentation of such. I'd suggest contacting the Coast Guard since it's their documentation

Also, don't expect your local watercraft authorities to buy the documentation- you'll likely get pressure to title and register the boat in your state unless you primarily operate the boat in offshore waters (ocean)

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Nug,

You will need a receipt that is signed and notorized. You will need the Certificate of documentation, signed by the owner. And that is that.
You can call the Coast Guard and have them run the hin. They told me over the phone whether or not anyone had a lien on it. If you want to register it locally, you can get a Deletion Of Documentation (not necessary) and an Abstract of Title (necessary).
If you are concerned about the title being clear, have your attorney (or yourself) do a title search.
Or just call the Coaat Guard and they will give you the skinny. Good luck.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

The "Local Authorities" don't care one way or the other. The Coast Guard can board your boat anytime and the local cops are trained to recognize the hailing port on the stern of the boat.

If you only boat locally, the greatest advantage to USCG documentation is waiving the local taxes.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Contact a Documentation agent in your area. It's the safest and fastest way to either take the boat out of Documentation or switch it to your name and keep it documented.
Explain your situation to them and they can advise you properly.
Will cost between $375. to $550. Small change compared to buying something bogus and having to give it back.

Remember, it's buyer beware! There are too many scams out there.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Try boating on Lake Erie with a documented vessel. I was strongly warned twice then had my Apache impounded for being unregistered. The Division of Watercraft then turned me in to the Ohio Department of Taxation who fined me for avoiding sales tax. Avoiding state taxes is illegal and I can assure you the local authorities in the western basin either aren't trained or don't care about USCG documentation.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Here in the state of GA boats are not titled. They are also not registered with DMV. DNR rgulates boat registrations. After you buy your boat you get a green form from a boat dealer, kmart or walmart, fill it out and mail it in with a few bucks to DNR and your good for 3 years. When I sold my jetski to a guy in FL he had a hell of a time getting it registered in Fl due to no title to transfer.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Last year the the local authorities, I think it was the DNR, were walking the docks at Hammond Marina, Indiana. They were looking for the state registration decal. If the boat was documented they didn't care about #'s but said you have to display the decal.

I decided that I should get one for this year. When I went to buy it, they charged me for last year too. :eek: I tried to explain to them that my boat was only in the water for two hours last year because it broke. :(

They didn't want to hear it. :mad:

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

1. Do what GLH said, use a broker.

2. You will need a Bill of Sale.

3. Depending on your state it will NOT get you out of paying state taxes. There are only 3-4 states that a person to person sale does not require sales tax be collected. And in at least oneof those states if a dealer has his hands in it you pay regarless.

4. You will still need a state sticker for your port of call.

5. There will be a title.

There was another thread not too long ago hat had all the details laid out. Plug in "vessel documentation" to search OSO threads.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

I'm sure this is true in Ohio, but each state has their own rules. Missouri waives state sales tax if your boat is documented with the USCG. Illinois does not waive the taxes. Missouri is getting smarter though, they now levy a state fee for documenting a boat with USCG and getting a state 3 year sticker. The fee is based on the price of the boat, but it is still way cheaper than state sales tax.

I assume if I bring my boat to Ohio with a Missouri 3 year sticker on it, I wouldn't get hassled, but I've never done that so who knows.

In Missouri (LOTO) they look for a sticker, not necessarily a Missouri one, but and valid state registration. If you have it your ok, if there isn't a sticker on your boat, plan to get pulled over.

You can call Marine Documentation in Mo. at (573) 365-3341 and they can help you. They do tons of these and do it by mail. Even if you don't want to use them they will tell you exactly what you need to do.

Like others mentioned, I highly recommend you use a service. You will pay up to $500 for it, but it is worth every penny and they will ensure it is done right.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

I just called Marine Documentation and got the skinny. The current coast Guard document serves as your bill of sale. The back gets filled out and has to be notorized. If you want to continue to document the boat with the USCG, you have to send that documentation in and apply for it to be put in your name. That is the part I recommend using an agent for, and others here do too. The cost of that from Marine Documentation is $495. If you want to delete the documentation, then you have to apply for that also, and instead of sending you new USCG documentation in your name, you will get a title. That costs $75 from Marine documentation.

In Missouri the benefit of documenting with USCG is Missouri waives sales tax (but they do get a fee when you get your sticker, it is just not as much as sales tax). Other states may or may not waive sales tax, so how you want to document or title your new purchase is really dependent on the laws of the state from which you are going to get your sticker.

Hope this helps.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

Is this boat being brought into the country? If it is it will have to pass through customs and will require a 7501-cf form. Also if it has a trailer it will have to meet EPA regulations and form HS-7 will be required. Even with a bill of sale it does not show transfer of ownership. You need the title to transfer ownership. Also if you are finiancing this through the bank the bank will want to be a lien holder on the title. If you do not receive a title the bank could repo the boat.

Re: boat purchase with documentation ?
 

thank you for all of the good advice. i just spoke to a broker and you guys are dead on. appreciate your help