Boat Bill of Sale Form

Boat Bill of Sale Form is a legal document that states the fact of changing the owner of a boat and any other important to the buyer and the seller features of this process.

In this short article, we will tell you almost anything that you might want to know: situations in which a boat bill might be of use, its components, the importance of this document, and the procedure of how you can sell your boat.

When to Use a Boat Bill of Sale?

The boat bill is used in any case of selling and buying the boat, no matter the condition and the newness of the vessel. Additional information about the motor or any other adjoining device should also be included in the bill, so to avoid any future misunderstandings.

Your Boat Bill of Sale will protect you from any possible future demands of both parties. For example, if the buyer finds any deficiencies, he or she will not have any right to request a refund from the seller. And on the contrary, the seller cannot ask the buyer to return the boat.

Moreover, if the buyer would want to register the boat or buy insurance for it, a Boat Bill of Sale will be needed.

Why Is It Important to Sign a Boat Bill of Sale?

As none of the things that we have mentioned above would work without a signature, you might consider signing it. Otherwise, who knows what the other party might do later?

For the process of registering your boat, most of the states would require some legal document that proves your ownership rights. For the insurance, it would work in the same way.

Moreover, some states might even require notarization in order to approve your Boat Bill of Sale. And, of course, this cannot be done without your signature on the bill.

Here is the list of such states:

• Nebraska
• Louisiana
• New Hampshire
• Maryland
• Montana
• West Virginia

For all of the reasons mentioned above, we would highly recommend you to make a Boat Bill of Sale, and of course, sign it by every party.

What Are the Components of a Boat Bill of Sale?

Be very careful when rereading your Boat Bill of Sale, as all of the following components should always be included. If you want, use it as a checklist:

• Personal information about the buyer and the seller, including the names and the current addresses
• The price of the boat for which it is sold
• The specifications of the boat, including the model, the color, the condition, hull identification number, the make, and the year of production
• Previous registration number of the seller
• Comprehensive information about any additional devices coming together with the boat, such as the motor
• In case of purchasing an already used boat, a lien release
• Date and location of your sale
• Signatures

Additional information might be about a notary public’s presence, including his verification of the Boat Bill of Sale and signature.

How to Sell a Boat

Your best choice would be to sell in the boating season, as many people would want to purchase one during this time.

1. The first thing you would need to do is to repair anything that is needed by your boat, clean it and throw out any clutter: the tidier and spacier your boat looks, the better are your chances at selling at a reasonable price.
2. The second thing is to choose the strategy of your sell: whether you will do it by yourself or through a dealer. When choosing the second option, all of the following steps will most definitely be made by a dealer. But of course, they will need interest for their services. If you decide to choose the first option, go through all of the following steps also.
3. Now, the third step is to think about the price. What you would want to do is to look through the offers on the market, revise the boats and their conditions, and decide on your own offer.
4. Also, think about the rock bottom price, under which you will never go. This would be helpful in the situation when possible buyers will start bargaining.
5. Fifth, find the most popular websites, magazines, and social pages where you can place your ad and publish it.

Here is what needs to be considered in your advertisement:

1. Photos. All of them should be of high quality and clarity. The bigger their amount and diversity, the better are your chances of selling.
2. Boat information. Make sure to write as many specifics as you can only think of. Imagine yourself in the place of a buyer: you would want all the details to be written out.
3. Always proofread your ad before publishing. Illiterate seller’s offer is not as attractive.

How to handle clients

When receiving some calls, be sure to know what you would want to ask from a person. Make a list and stick to it, as this will help you to notice those who will only spend your time and those to whom you would not want to sell.

Sixth, when choosing a person and making a deal, do not go lower than your bottom price. Also, use a Boat Bill of Sale form to protect yourself from any possible future claims. If needed, involve a notary.

A hint: also think about the logistics, as the selling part is not the last one. Decide together with your buyer or write it in advance in your ad the conditions on which you agree to ship the boat.

An additional important thing to remember is fraud. Here is a list of red lights that will let you know that you are dealing with fraud:

• Asking for your bank information
• Sending an email with some links
• Writing you a check instead of giving or transferring the money
• Negotiating through a third party
• Begging you to let her or him pay in installments

It is always the best choice to simply hang up the phone or block the email address. Be careful with choosing your buyer!