Document the transfer of ownership of a boat: Boat Bill of Sale
What we’ll cover
What is a Boat Bill of Sale?
A Boat Bill of Sale is a legal agreement that enables a buyer or seller to document the transfer of ownership of a boat. If you are buying or selling a boat or other vessel, a Boat Bill of Sale can record the transaction.
By getting the details in writing, you'll have documentation of the sale, which you may need in order to transfer ownership legally. Though it is important to note: a Bill of Sale only represents the transfer of the right to ownership. A boat's Certificate of Title represents actual ownership. Therefore, the Bill of Sale and the Certificate of Title are needed to complete the transfer of the boat.
To get started with your Boat Bill of Sale, you'll need to have a few details on hand, such as the registration number, make, model, defining features, and general condition of the boat, as well as transactional information, such as the sale price and warranties. Get started now and Rocket Lawyer will build the document for you!
When to use a Boat Bill of Sale:
- You own a boat or other type of watercraft which will be sold or transferred to another person.
- You plan to buy a boat from an individual rather than a dealer.
- You are buying or selling a boat and you want the transaction in writing.
Have questions about your Boat Bill of Sale?
Whether you're preparing your Boat Bill of Sale, reviewing one someone sent you, or just want to understand it better, here's how to get help.
- Understand what it says or review it. Use our AI legal assistant to ask questions about your Boat Bill of Sale, understand what it says, and spot anything that may need a closer look.
- Ask an attorney a question. Connect with an attorney for legal information, with a written answer within one business day or a live consultation.
- Get advice on what to do. For privileged, confidential advice about your specific circumstances and next steps, book a Legal Advice Session with an attorney.
Sample Boat Bill of Sale
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| County of |
BOAT BILL OF SALE
FOR AND IN CONSIDERATION OF the sum of U.S. Dollars, plus any applicable sales tax, inclusive with all sales tax, paid by CashPersonal CheckCertified CheckMoney OrderPromissory Note, the receipt of which is hereby acknowledged, and (the "Seller") of , , DOES HEREBY SELL, ASSIGN, AND TRANSFER to and (the "Buyer") of , , , the following boat (the "Boat"):
Make:
Model:
Year:
Style:
Length:
Hull Identification Number (HIN):
Registration Number:
| • | Single engine |
| • | Inboard engine |
| • | Twin engine |
| • | Outboard engine |
| • | Sink |
| • | Toilet |
| • | Shower |
| • | Kitchenette |
| • | GPS Receiver |
The Buyer has been given the opportunity to inspect the Boat, or alternatively, have the Boat inspected. Additionally, the Buyer has accepted the Boat in its existing condition.
The Seller certifies under penalty of perjury that the statements made in this Bill of Sale are true and correct to the best knowledge of the Seller.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Bill of Sale on .
| By: | Date: |
| By: | Date: |
| By: | Date: |
| By: | Date: |
Final Checklist for Boat Bill of Sale
Seller:
Buyer:
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Next Steps: Make it Legal
| _____ | Look over the Boat Bill of Sale to ensure it matches your intentions. If you'd like to make changes, you can download this document in Microsoft Word, or you can make edits using the Document Manager on Rocketlawyer.com. |
| _____ | You can use Rocket Lawyer's e-signature service to electronically have each party sign the document. Or, have the parties sign and date duplicate hard copies of the Boat Bill of Sale. |
Copies
| _____ | The original copy of the Bill of Sale should be given to the Buyer. |
| _____ | The Seller should retain a signed copy of the Bill of Sale. |
Reasons to Update
| * | Correct an error or change a term in the original Bill of Sale. |
| * | Prepare a Bill of Sale for a different transaction. |
Other Information
| * | This Boat Bill of Sale only represents the transfer of the RIGHT to ownership of the vehicle; the boat's Certificate of Title reflects the ACTUAL ownership. Therefore, this Bill of Sale and the Certificate of Title are needed to complete the transfer of the Boat. |
| * | The Buyer should be certain to obtain appropriate insurance coverage for the Boat. |
Members can always consult an attorney at no extra cost!
| * | If you have quick questions or wish to review this document with an attorney, you can do so for free. Rocket Lawyer's On Call® service makes it fast and easy to speak with a local attorney. Get started by visiting the Find a Lawyer tab on our site, or calling (866) 243-2183. |
About Boat Bills of Sale
Learn about how to transfer ownership of a vessel in writing
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Common terms in a Boat Bill of Sale
A Boat Bill of Sale is a legal document used to record the transfer of ownership of a boat from a seller to a buyer. To do so, it might cover some terms you might not be familiar with – here are some of them:
HIN
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a number assigned to each boat or watercraft. Each HIN is unique to a specific boat, and is the same as the VIN on a motor vehicle.
All boats manufactured after 1972 have a HIN consisting of 12 characters as required by the Federal Boat Safety Act of 1972. The 12 characters are continuous and uninterrupted by slashes, hyphens, or spaces. The first three characters are letters that form a code for the manufacturer (e.g. KAW is the beginning of a Kawasaki HIN. Other manufacturers have other letters, but all HINs begin with three letters). After the first three letters, the rest of the digits will usually be numbers.
Condition of the boat
A statement indicating whether the boat is sold "as-is" or if there are any warranties or guarantees provided by the seller regarding its condition.
Purchase price
The price is the full amount of money that both the buyer and seller have agreed upon, including any down payment that may have already been paid. Additionally, the price may or may not include applicable sales tax. You will have the option to specify whether or not sales tax will be included in the total price. The amount of sales tax is different in each state. Make sure to check your local laws to determine the amount of sales tax that will apply to your transaction and whether or not to include that price in the total price.
Payment terms
The terms of payment, including the date by which the full payment must be made.
Warranty
A warranty is a promise by the seller. Typically, the seller does not make any warranties or promises about the boat. In this case, the boat is considered to be sold "as is," which basically means "what you see is what you get."
However, a seller can also include limited warranties. By including limited warranties, a seller guarantees that he or she is the owner of the boat and has the right to transfer ownership of the boat to the buyer. The seller also guarantees that the boat is free and clear of any liens and is in "good working condition."
If you have any more questions, don’t hesitate to connect with a lawyer.
Boat Bill of Sale FAQs
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How do you write a Bill of Sale for a boat?
It is very easy to get what you need using a free Boat Bill of Sale template from Rocket Lawyer:
- Make your Bill of Sale - Answer a few simple questions and we will do the rest.
- Send or share - Look over it with a lawyer, if desired.
- Sign it - Sign your Bill of Sale online and make it legal.
Any Boat Bill of Sale Form from Rocket Lawyer can be edited to address your particular situation. To start the process, simply tap or click the "Make document" button. Your document will be built piece by piece as you answer simple questions to enter information along the way.
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How much would it usually cost to make a Vessel Bill of Sale?
Attorney fees for drafting or reviewing a Bill of Sale Boat Bill of Sale can vary widely. Many lawyers charge hourly rates that may range from around $100 for less experienced attorneys to $350 or more per hour for highly experienced attorneys in major metropolitan areas. For more routine documents, some attorneys may offer flat-fee pricing.
The total cost will depend on several factors, including your location, the attorney’s experience, and the complexity of your agreement. More documents or situations involving negotiation will typically require more time and increase the overall cost.
With Rocket Lawyer, you can create a personalized Bill of Sale Boat Bill of Sale tailored to your specific needs—without the high cost typically associated with hiring a lawyer. If you have questions or want additional peace of mind, you can also get your document reviewed or ask an attorney for guidance.
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Is anything else required after drafting a Boat Bill of Sale?
When you are finished making this Bill of Sale using Rocket Lawyer, you'll have the ability to access it in your account anytime, anywhere. Feel free to try any of the following actions with your document: making edits, downloading it as a Word document or PDF file, and signing it with RocketSign®. Attached alongside each Boat Bill of Sale form, there also will be a set of tips for what comes next with regard to finalizing your document.
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Does a Boat Bill of Sale Form need to be notarized or witnessed?
Notarization requirements differ depending on your state. Check with the appropriate state agency that handles boat registrations (e.g. DMV or game and wildlife agency) to find out whether your Boat Bill of Sale will have to be notarized. You can also ask an attorney about what is required in your area.
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Can you sell a boat without a title?
It depends. Certain states require a title for any transaction to occur while others do not. Make sure to check with the state agency that manages boat registrations to ensure that you are allowed to sell a boat without a title. ask an attorney for more guidance, or consider contacting state agencies such as the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) or local game and wildlife agency.
