There is a boat with a chain on it in my marina. This stuff may seem unfair, but I am sure the yard doesn't want boats stacking up they want cash coming in. I wonder if getting the title to a boat that the owner owes money is difficult. I was told not to buy a boat with out a title because it's impossible to get one.
Three of my boats have been bought without titles, one which the Marina handled, took three months to take care of. At the end of which they tried billing me $475 for the service. when I told them I wouldn't pay the $475 and wanted a refund instead, it suddenly became a 'clerical' error.
The others only took a trip to the DMV where I picked up paperwork, filled out the conditions of purchase, the seller and I signed it and I had the titles in ten days.
A lot depends on your state, some require a visual inspection from a law enforcement officer, a declaration of who/where you obtained the boat, a small fee, and it's yours.
Ken.