Sometimes a vessel has been “sold” multiple times between individuals, but none of those transfers were ever properly recorded with the state or the USCG/NVDC.
On paper, those transfers essentially never happened.
First: Send Me EVERYTHING
And I mean everything.
Email me every document you have related to the boat or any of the previous sales:
- Bills of Sale
- Titles and registrations
- Purchase agreements
- Receipts
- Copies of old paperwork
- Even that handwritten Bill of Sale on the back of a receipt that’s been sitting in the tackle box for six years
Do not decide something isn’t important and throw it away. That insignificant piece of paper may be the piece I’m missing.
What Happens Next?
I’m going to start piecing together the vessel’s chain of ownership.
If the vessel has been USCG documented, I’ll usually start with an Abstract of Title to see what the federal record shows. Then I’ll compare the official records to the documents you provide and determine what needs to happen to connect the ownership from the person currently shown on record to the person who actually has the boat.
If everyone involved still knows each other and is willing to cooperate, great. That can make this much easier.
The bottom line
If you’re reading this because you’ve already done it, well... it’s probably a little late for that advice. 😂
Send me EVERYTHING and I’ll start putting the puzzle together.
In most cases, I can find a way to straighten out the ownership history.
But don’t expect it to necessarily be quick or easy, and unfortunately, I can’t fix everything. ⚓
Related reading: when the HIN doesn’t match the title and things you need to know.
Official sources
- U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center (NVDC)
- Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles
Requirements change. Confirm current requirements with the applicable agency or a qualified professional for your specific transaction.