Boat Bill of Sale Form

A boat bill of sale is used when you have made the decision to sell your boat and is one of the many essential documents needed to make the transfer of title successful. Whether purchasing or selling a boat, a bill of sale must be included in the transaction.

A bill of sale helps protect the buyer from accusations of fraud by showing proof of payment in good faith while also protecting the seller if any problems are to arise after the sale.

Common Types (10)

• Canoe
• Catamaran
• Kayak
• Jet Ski
• Motor/powerboat
• Rowboat
• Sailboat
• Skiff
• Tugboat
• Yacht

• Boat Details
  • Make
  • Year
  • Title Number
  • Hull ID
  • Odometer reading (hours)
• Buyer’s Details
• Seller Details
• Purchase Price
• Location

When an individual decides to sell their boat, they must decide what will be going along with the boat, including but not limited to outboard motor(s), trailer(s), life jackets, and other gear. Whether or not these items are included will determine the final value of the sales price depending on if it’s wanted by the buyer.

This will most likely be the most difficult part of the process. Most owners know, more or less, the value of their boat. In the chance you do not know the value, using this online listing can give you a general range of what to look for. Otherwise, a seller’s best bet is to look up what the exact make, model, and year of the boat is selling for in your market.

The first question to ask yourself is, “Do I need a broker?”

Hiring a Broker – Generally, if the boat will be selling for more than $40,000, it’s best to hire a broker at a local marina. They will not only list it for the fair market value but also clean the boat and make it presentable to potential buyers.

Selling it Yourself – If the value is under $40,000 then it’s advised to sell the boat yourself. Most brokers will not accept a boat lower than this amount.

In either case, if the seller decides to list the boat on their own it’s best to use the following websites:

• BoatTrader.com
• Boats.com
• Yachtworld.com
• eBay.com
• Cragslist.org

Before you even think about listing your boat online or with a broker, it’s a good idea to clean and brush up your boat, whether that’s by making cost-worthy repairs or by hiring a cleaning service to give your boat the best opportunity to sell. First impressions can go a long way.

Depending on the location of the boat, it can be a challenge to show to potential buyers. For example, if your boat is on a mooring, it will be harder for potential buyers to see its exterior as you will need to skiff people to and from the boat every time someone wants to take a look. The best possible option is to have your boat stationed to a dock for easy access.

If docking is not a viable option, the next best and cheapest way to view your boat is to park it on land, either in a trailer or on a stand.

All states require that a boat bill of sale form be signed by the buyer and seller to complete the sale. The parties may also use the form to record the sale of the outboard motor and trailer. Copies should be given to each party, with the buyer requiring a copy for registering and obtaining title with the state.

At closing, the parties should provide:

• Buyer – Payment.
• Seller – Title (signed over to the buyer) and any current registration documents.

The buyer and seller will have to negotiate which party will be subject to the sales tax (%). In most transactions, this is split between the parties.

In most states, the buyer is required to immediately register the boat after the sale has been completed. This is commonly completed by providing the state with the signed bill of sale and title forms along with any registration documents. Depending on the state, there may be a sales tax that is required to be paid at this time.