Quarry Man Posted June 23, 2018 Posted June 23, 2018 i am looking to buy a 14' Smoker Craft and trailer for $300. The boat and trailer may not have a title. If I get a bill of sale, can I get a title for the boat and trailer? Also, if I want to resell the boat after I fix it up, should I even bother to register it? What I want to know is if I purchase this boat (live in PA), will I be able to use it legally? Quote
Russ E Posted June 23, 2018 Posted June 23, 2018 4 minutes ago, Quarry Man said: i am looking to buy a 14' Smoker Craft and trailer for $300. The boat and trailer may not have a title. If I get a bill of sale, can I get a title for the boat and trailer? Also, if I want to resell the boat after I fix it up, should I even bother to register it? What I want to know is if I purchase this boat (live in PA), will I be able to use it legally? you have to check the state laws. each state is different. Here in Kansas you have to register your boat, but the state does not title the boat or motor. Kansas also does not require a trailer to be registered, if the total weight is under 2000 lbs. If you have to register an untitled trailer, most states allow it to be registered under a homemade or custom trailer provision. Quote
Quarry Man Posted June 23, 2018 Author Posted June 23, 2018 I just called a local registration office and they told me I need a notarized bill of sale, original registration card, and title on order to register the boat. Quote
WCWV Posted June 24, 2018 Posted June 24, 2018 Here in WV, several years ago boats weren't title and the very first boat I purchased was one and i had to, sooo I had to get the bill of sale notarized and have a State Trooper come to my house to inspect, once he approved it, he gave me a paper that I used to get a serial number plate and then licence. It took awhile, but I got it. Like I said, it's been years ago. Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted June 24, 2018 Super User Posted June 24, 2018 The owner should be able to get a duplicate title from the fish and game commission. At least that was how it was back when I lived in PA. 1 Quote
Slade House Posted June 24, 2018 Posted June 24, 2018 Really? its called google, you use it. google this phrase PA Boat registration. 2 Quote
Super User Log Catcher Posted June 24, 2018 Super User Posted June 24, 2018 Around here you have to go to the county clerks office to license and register a boat. You might need to check with them about this. A Weedwhacker said laws vary from state to state. 1 Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted June 25, 2018 Super User Posted June 25, 2018 The PA Fish and Boat Commission is the agency you register a boat with in PA, which is still the same as it was when I lived there back in the 1990's. He can contact them and get a replacement title. 1 Quote
LvHish486 Posted August 19, 2019 Posted August 19, 2019 Quarry Man, I feel you. I have a boat without a title and bill of sale and cannot get it registered. PA laws are ridiculous. I also bought a trailer along with it and didn't get the title notarized, when I tried to get it registered they basically told me I have scrap metal because the person I bought it from wont contact me back to get it notarized. I thought about just dropping it off in front of a police station since it's still tied to his name. Quote
Super User Way2slow Posted August 19, 2019 Super User Posted August 19, 2019 I've only registered boats in TX, GA, and VA. Each is unique in what's required. I have registered boats without the original title's in all three, but it has to be one hellava good deal to make it worth the effort. Tx was the easiest but still no fun there. GA, and VA required having a title search done on the boats VIN number. If it was ever registered it would come back with the last person it was registered to. Then you have to try and contact that person. They could come back and say the boat was stolen and they can get it back. If you do and they are willing to help, things are pretty easy from there. They just get a duplicate title and sign it over to you. If you can't locate them or they are one of "those" types of people, things get a lot tougher and the boat may never be fully yours. If the last title holder comes up and says that's his boat, you just lost it. If it doesn't have a VIN or if it was never registered, things can be a little easier, then it can be as simple as a couple of sworn affidavits. As mentioned, most state's game and fish division control boat titles. Who ever it is, you need to pay a person to person visit to them and see what you options are. The reason for person to person, sometimes they will tell you things you can do that's not really clear or listed in the printed material, and you get a better understanding of what they want/need. That's why I say it has to be one truly fantastic deal to be worth the effort, because, you may end up not being able to get one period. Quote
Super User WRB Posted August 20, 2019 Super User Posted August 20, 2019 ^^^ good info ^^^ this is a 2018 thread. If you arec Auto Club Member they are a good resource regarding registering boats and trailers in every state, worth looking into. Tom Quote
Super User fishnkamp Posted August 20, 2019 Super User Posted August 20, 2019 Guys you do realize this is a June of 2018 thread. Quote
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.