Boat Title

Aug 5, 2005
131
- - Laurel, Ms
Can anyone tell me on here if boats registered in florida have a title ???
Here in Mississippi we don't have titles just registration and bill of sale.
If it does have title and owner has it in hand, can you assume boat is free and clear etc..

If I were to go into florida and buy a boat what is the recommendations /precautions I need
to take to make sure the boat does indeed belong to the person selling it, and is free from leins etc....
also any suggestions on the money changing... I don't particularly want to haul a large sum of cash with me and now days people will not take a check drawn on a bank (cashiers etc)
I do under stand, cashiers checks use to be good as gold, and demanded, but now are counterfeited regularly.Everyone wants cash only, but I'm kind of nervous making the cash only transaction...
I would need to purchase the boat on the weekend and banks are closed....
any suggestions / advice....... go......
 
Jul 19, 2015
154
Beneteau 343 BVI
If the boat is documented that takes the place of a title. If it’s not documented it should have a title. I would go through a yacht broker they can make sure it is clear of a liens.
 
Sep 25, 2008
7,075
Alden 50 Sarasota, Florida
The tax collector's office in Florida which deals withboat registration has a very user-friendly web site (tax collector.com) and I encourage you to read the section related toboat ownership rather than take advice on any Internet forum where, although well-intended, some comments are wrong,misleading or incomplete
 

Gunni

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Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Can anyone tell me on here if boats registered in florida have a title ???
Here in Mississippi we don't have titles just registration and bill of sale.
If it does have title and owner has it in hand, can you assume boat is free and clear etc..
An owner can have title and a bunch of liens and encumbrances on a vessel that you would be inheriting. That is why there are vessel documentation service companies. They process a title search and take on the liability of identifying clear title, prepare a Bill of Sale for registration/documentation.
 

Kermit

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Jul 31, 2010
5,657
AquaCat 12.5 17342 Wateree Lake, SC
Asking the state government is by far the best course of action. But not totally foolproof. I keep getting a tax bill for a boat I sold 4 years ago. Sumter County says they get their information from the state. Our state DNR folks say they have no record of me still owning it. The dealer I sold it to says they submitted all the paperwork.
 
Apr 27, 2010
1,236
Hunter 23 Lake Wallenpaupack
How big a boat are you talking about? Maybe for a day sailer that is like $1000 I'd consider cash, but anything much bigger, no, I would not. If it is through a broker, I have to believe they can take a bank check or something similar. If a private sale, and it is a larger amount, and they will only take actual cash, I'd look into having it go through a broker, even if you have to pay (some of) the broker fee. Maybe others here know of a way to steer through a broker without paying some sort of fee based on them having had to market it and find the buyer. Like a "buyer's broker"?
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,024
-na -NA Anywhere USA
Here is a start to go look at regarding titling in Florida.
https://www.flhsmv.gov/motor-vehicles-tags-titles/vessels/vessel-titling-registrations/
I cannot recall what boat you have but I would suggest advising the specific boat and length to include any registration. Then you will need to find out who owned it or in the case of buying to see if there is any liens against it thru the appropriate state dept.. Also advise if purchasing from or direct with an owner.

Any boat under 16 feet not motorized is not subject to titling if I read that correctly.
 

Gunni

.
Mar 16, 2010
5,937
Beneteau 411 Oceanis Annapolis
Then you will need to find out who owned it or in the case of buying to see if there is any liens against it thru the appropriate state dept.
Dave, have you ever had a state agency satisfy you regarding encumbrances on a boat? I ask because I have not.
 
Jun 8, 2004
10,024
-na -NA Anywhere USA
AS a former dealer, I dealt with many states up and down the east coast to include Florida. Not all the information on which boat, ownership and so on has been stated and I am out in the dark suggesting anything other than noting the website to start looking. Until then I am not going to comment any further until we know. One good point, if the boat is registered and titled, registration current and title in the owner's possession, then generally not an issue..
 

MitchM

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Jan 20, 2005
1,009
Nauticat 321 pilothouse 32 Erie PA
1/ if it's a STATE TITLE: ask the seller of your prospective purchase for a copy of his FL registration AND owners card AND FL title. advise that you need it for insurance binder to protect the boat with transport and hull value insurance from the moment it is yours. then once you get the documents, call FL department of title and boat registration -- ask to verify HULL ID number and manufacturer info shown on the docs your seller provided. 2/ If it's USCG documented you can verify by inspecting a copy of the federal doc certificate, which prospective seller should supply. call USCG to verify it is a legit certificate not forged. if all is in order pack the money in a coffee can in the trunk , and go.
 
Feb 14, 2014
7,399
Hunter 430 Waveland, MS
Can anyone tell me on here if boats registered in florida have a title
I live in Mississippi and bought 2 vessels from Florida.
The previous owner had Titles to the 2 vessels in Florida.
I paid a "Document Company" to search the Titles, provide Title insurance and do the Registrations documents. [Even with the Coast Guard]
I had to pay Florida Sales Tax or get a Sticker of "Tax Exemption", if I promised not to bring the vessels back to Florida within [ I forget... 6 mo?] Stupid law, since it kept my vessels out of Florida waters or no tourist trade.

Also I have a "Bill of Sale" for both vessels.
____
Using the "Bill of Sale", I registered with State of Mississippi and put on their Numbers on the vessels.
Jim...

PS: The only protections I had was the Title Insurance and a reputable Buyers Broker in Florida
Also the "Closing Statement" Detailed the Sale and document fees.
PSS: It took us 2 hours and Decal Remover to remove the Florida Tax Exempt sticker:mad:
 
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ronkS2

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Aug 22, 2017
27
Hunter 240 South Florida
Not sure where you stand today but here is some quick food for thought. I live here in Florida, and bought my Hunter 24 here a year ago. This size boat does have a title. Now in Florida at least in cars you have the choice of a paper title or electronic storage with the DMV, so it may be possible with a boat but not sure. As far as the trailers go for this size boat, on the registration from the state there is a part to transfer ownership. A title can be bought for a trailer that does not require one as I have done it for my Harbor Freight special.

MOST IMPORTANTLY MAKE SURE THE SELLER'S NAME AND ADDRESS MATCHES ON THE BOAT AND HIS LICENSE.
There is a lot of illegal flipping going on in this state. A lot has to do with the transient population of people moving in and out. I have wasted so much time that when dealing on Craigslist my emails now start with: IF the name on the title matches your drivers license I am interested in your car, boat. motor cycle etc...

Suggestions on cash and carry. I opened up an account at TD Bank as they are open 7 days a week and use it only for occasions like this.

Check with Dave Condon or another seasoned broker, but doing the cash transfer right at the court house is another option. You can have the teller look and see at least on their computer if there are any liens. One of my larger boats that I bought about 15 years ago (and was documented) I went to a boat dealer who charged me $50 to do a lien search so maybe that is also an option.

Good luck