HELP NeedeD!!?

Question

Is it a good idea to purchase a boat without a title to it? What are the pros and cons of purchasing one without a title?

Answer 1

if it is used no it is a bad choice, its cheaper but theres usally reasons stolen,non street legal, and others

Answer 2

Would you buy a car without a title?  Would you buy a house without a deed?

Answer 3

In addition to the very good answers given concerning the ownership question (when filing for a lost title you would find out about the owner of the boat, one way or another)-there is also the registration problem.  You can't float a boat on public water without a registration number and documentation to back it up.  Just like a license for your car.  They give tickets for those not in compliance and run a background check to see if you have applied for or have an existing registration (which includes validation of ownership).

I would have the city police or county sheriff look into it for me and trace the boat ownership.  If it is valid and a lost title, you can file for a new one.  If it is not, you may have solved a crime.

Dr. Tommy Skelton

Answer 4

It all depends on the age of the boat and the state where this is taking place.

A lot of older boats were never issued titles, owbership was just tranferred by signing the back of the registration. I just bought a 1947 Century and was just issued a bill of sale, because the boat does not have a permanent hull number and therefore no title can be issued.

If you talking about a recent boat, i.e. less than 10 years old, I would ask the seller to go the appropriate authority to get a replacement title.

Answer 5

I bought one in Arkansas without a title.....the trailer it was on had a title, but all the guy had for the boat was the registration paper.  It was just like the one for a car.  I took it to the State RRevenue Office (thats where we take care of licensing vehicles here) and the ran it through and put it in my name.  They never said anything about a title for it.  They did send off for a new trailer title in my name.  I figure if it didn't  turn up as stolen when they put it in my name, it must not be........but then again.........like I said, this is in Arkansas!

Answer 6

I would ask the current owner to file for a lost title, before purchasing the boat.  If they decline then the boat is either stolen or the person really doesn't want to sell the boat.

On a side note, the guy who said the HIN was rubbed off the fiberglass hull of his boat makes me wonder if his local authorities realize that all boat manufacturers are required to put a second hidden HIN on their hulls or not.  The police can call the manufacturer for the hidden location (and yes the manufacturer will make sure they are speaking to a law enforcement agent) and when they find the boat, they can confirm the HIN of the stolen boat.

Just food for thought.

Answer 7

It is not a good idea. I once bought a boat with no title. I put over $1000 into it and then found out it was stolen and had the id #s ground off and fiberglassed over. I bought it from a guy I had known for a long time too. I had to return it to the proper owner and get too many ?s from the police.  The pros are that it will be alot cheaper. The cons are one is the above which should be enough to persuade you.

Answer 8

Cannot register it--so you cannot use it--if the marine police stop you--you lose the boat. The title can be researched and then you can do the legal stuff and have fun.

Answer 9

You wouldn't know who actually owns it, nor would you be able to prove that you do.  Make the owner find or file for the title.  Business is business.  And if they don't want to produce it, then pass on it.  They probably have something to hide.