Hey Guys!

A buddy of mine bought a 96 Donzi 22ft on a trailer from a private seller, went to look at it last week, left a deposit and is going back to pick it up this weekend, the "seller" has a valid ownership for both the boat and trailer and its currently insured and registered to the seller, my question is: Does the seller HAVE to get a "used vehicle information Package" from the MTO to sell the boat?, we are leaving in the AM to pick it up, and I doubt he wants to get home only to find out he CAN'T register the boat and/or transfer the ownership AFTER paying for it!. I have tried to talk to a few of our "helpfull" Government offices, but, none of them seem to have a clue when it comes to boats, so, I thought I would ask here, ANY input would be great!, I KNOW this guy is probably stressing about this!.

Thanks!
Michael

I'm not sure what you mean by "valid ownership" but in my Michigan experience all that is required is a valid title for the boat and a title or previous owner registration or weight slip plus VIN number/manufacturer for the trailer. A receipt or sale from the prior owner does not hurt either since the state will charge sales tax on the entire transaction. Michigan does not require a title for the trailer but needs written verification of the trailer weight for the Michigan registration. Also Michigan hits you with a one time fee for a lifetime plate, no need to renew again which is great if you keep your stuff, really bad if you don't like me!!

You may want to post more info such as state(s) involved and what ownership documents the PO has to help get a better answer .... congrats on the cool boat

I am actually in Ontario, the seller had the ownership for the trailer, but, only the "vesel registration" card for the boat itself, said it was all he was given?, so, that and a bill of sale will hopefully be OK?,

Michael

I know some states here do not have titles and just have registrations. This is what happened when I bought mine, It was a hassle to get it titled in Jersey, but all I had to do is go back to the DMV with copies of that states law showing that they don't title and then it was taken care of. Just a waisted day the first time but it was registered the second time and they sent the title to me a month later.

If you bought the boat in ont that's all you get . Boats do not have ownerships like a car or trailer.

The boat should have a clear title, meaning no leins. Also, some larger trailers have seperate titles. Just like buying a car, same process.

Mike, Canadian officials are more concerned about the trailer than the boat.

I sold a 1987 Minx to a gentleman in Canada and I gave him the bill of sales for both the boat and the trailer as well as both titles. New York is a titled state for boats.

I spoke to the buyer the next day and he said the border was no problem, he just had to pay taxes/duty.

Some states down here are NOT title states, in New Hampshire for example, I have registered a boat in NH with just a bill of sale.

I also used the NH registration when I transfered the boat to New York for registration. The New York Motor Vechile looked up in a government book to confirm that New Hampshire Was not a title state. Bottom line was no problem for my Canadian sale or my transfer. It all depends on the state the boat is currently registered in.

As I said, the Canadian Government seemed more concered with the trailer than the boat according to my friend and other people living North of the border that I have spoken to.

Did you try speaking with Customs?

Ken