Always wanted to learn to sail. I live on an island and take if for granted. A situation has evolved with an O'day 22, 1976 one of those deals just move it and it's yours. The boats been sitting for a couple of years. Had it checked out by boat builder friend and he said it's all there, especially for the price. My fear is free doesn't mean I can't/won't get in over my head. visually The rub rail on the port side is all cracked and broken, it appears that what ever seal the main companionway door has is compromised because the interior and cushions inside is damp/wet, bilge is full. No trailer, no motor electrical needs work. And I know very little about sailing, been out plenty but as a guest. Where a family of four and just looking to get out and relax. Your thoughts
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paperwork
I acquired my boat through similar means and one lesson I learned the hard way is make sure that you have a bill of sale/gift AND either the previous registration or title. In my case I received only a bill of sale (for $1). As a result I wasted the entire first summer with the boat sitting in the driveway while I tried to get title to it before I could register the boat. The police officer investigating my boat's history warned me at the beginning of the process that there was no guarantee I would be able to keep the boat when all was said and done.
I acquired my boat through similar means and one lesson I learned the hard way is make sure that you have a bill of sale/gift AND either the previous registration or title. In my case I received only a bill of sale (for $1). As a result I wasted the entire first summer with the boat sitting in the driveway while I tried to get title to it before I could register the boat. The police officer investigating my boat's history warned me at the beginning of the process that there was no guarantee I would be able to keep the boat when all was said and done.
T
Tom
Title
So you had a bill of sale and that was not enough? Bill of Sale and title is required? Thanks
So you had a bill of sale and that was not enough? Bill of Sale and title is required? Thanks
C
Chris
Difficult states
Some states do have tough requirements. I originally tried to register my boat in Massachusetts with only a "Bill of Sale". That wasn't enough and nobody was willing to help me. Glad to see my tax dollars at work for me... I had to go through another state to get the title and registration. Chris
Some states do have tough requirements. I originally tried to register my boat in Massachusetts with only a "Bill of Sale". That wasn't enough and nobody was willing to help me. Glad to see my tax dollars at work for me... I had to go through another state to get the title and registration. Chris
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Rich
Boat in Limbo...
Here in NY, I was able to register the boat, and apply for the title. The forms went to Albany Motor Vehicle, the office of which informed me months later that they could not issue a title. It seems the marina from which I bought the boat had the proper paperwork from the time they took over the boat... which was around 1992. By the time I got the boat a few years later, NY Motor Vehicle wanted much more proof of ownership. So a couple of years ago I got in a huge argument with some guy in Albany... he told me I technically "did not own" the boat. I asked him who the boat would be stolen from, then, should it be stolen? He could not answer. They then sent me a huge packet of information, with a huge list of stuff I would have to get to ever get a title. Much of this stuff would be impossible to get. My friend suggested I just flood them with stuff... put ads in papers, fill out forms... write long letters. Basically, out beaurocrat the beaurocrat. Funny thing is I have not had to do that yet... last year I got a registration renewal form from DMV in the mail! I sent it in, and they dutifully sent me a new sticker, good for several years. So it seems the only time I will have to worry about a title is if I go to sell the boat. Hopefully I will die first, and my wife can just park it in an alley somewhere. They can't get her for littering... we "don't own" the boat, according to the powers that be. But the even funnier thing is that if I was the least bit dishonest I could think of about a dozen ways to illegally obtain title... to my own boat! For anyone reading this, I'll make it clear that I would NEVER NEVER do that... just ironic, is all. Thief with a stolen boat needs a title? No problem. Honest citizen, putting money and time into thier pride and joy? Better crack down on that SOB (for those noting a flavor of bitterness in this email, no kidding). Rich.
Here in NY, I was able to register the boat, and apply for the title. The forms went to Albany Motor Vehicle, the office of which informed me months later that they could not issue a title. It seems the marina from which I bought the boat had the proper paperwork from the time they took over the boat... which was around 1992. By the time I got the boat a few years later, NY Motor Vehicle wanted much more proof of ownership. So a couple of years ago I got in a huge argument with some guy in Albany... he told me I technically "did not own" the boat. I asked him who the boat would be stolen from, then, should it be stolen? He could not answer. They then sent me a huge packet of information, with a huge list of stuff I would have to get to ever get a title. Much of this stuff would be impossible to get. My friend suggested I just flood them with stuff... put ads in papers, fill out forms... write long letters. Basically, out beaurocrat the beaurocrat. Funny thing is I have not had to do that yet... last year I got a registration renewal form from DMV in the mail! I sent it in, and they dutifully sent me a new sticker, good for several years. So it seems the only time I will have to worry about a title is if I go to sell the boat. Hopefully I will die first, and my wife can just park it in an alley somewhere. They can't get her for littering... we "don't own" the boat, according to the powers that be. But the even funnier thing is that if I was the least bit dishonest I could think of about a dozen ways to illegally obtain title... to my own boat! For anyone reading this, I'll make it clear that I would NEVER NEVER do that... just ironic, is all. Thief with a stolen boat needs a title? No problem. Honest citizen, putting money and time into thier pride and joy? Better crack down on that SOB (for those noting a flavor of bitterness in this email, no kidding). Rich.
T
Tom
Freebie continued
I am running into the same situation. There is no title the boat was abandoned by it's owner and the marina which stored it just wanted to get rid of it after having it sit around, I believe the owner was Navy and just moved away. So they gave it away. From what I understand that person let it sit for about 10 years because he could'nt register it before he gave it to the person that just gave it to me. The boat is in great shape, would be a shame to scrap it. There got to be a way?
I am running into the same situation. There is no title the boat was abandoned by it's owner and the marina which stored it just wanted to get rid of it after having it sit around, I believe the owner was Navy and just moved away. So they gave it away. From what I understand that person let it sit for about 10 years because he could'nt register it before he gave it to the person that just gave it to me. The boat is in great shape, would be a shame to scrap it. There got to be a way?
best bet
There are a couple of phone numbers at the bottom of the linked page that should be helpful. You may have to go over these peoples heads if they are not helpful. It can probably be done, just remember that it will take time, possibly a significant amount of your time. Also do NOT under any circumstances put any money or effort at all into the boat until you have a registration/title for it.
There are a couple of phone numbers at the bottom of the linked page that should be helpful. You may have to go over these peoples heads if they are not helpful. It can probably be done, just remember that it will take time, possibly a significant amount of your time. Also do NOT under any circumstances put any money or effort at all into the boat until you have a registration/title for it.
D
Dave K, O'day 192 #313
Can you use a lien?
Could the person on whose property the boat is sitting file a lien on the title for back rent? If unchallenged and unpaid, that person could get possesion of the title and sign it over to you.
Could the person on whose property the boat is sitting file a lien on the title for back rent? If unchallenged and unpaid, that person could get possesion of the title and sign it over to you.
Registering my 20
The ex owner of mine had it in his garage for 16 years. Didn't have a clue where the titles were for the boat or the trailer. He did a bill of sale, I walked into California DMV with that and two old registration cards, received my title in the mail three weeks later for both. I even hauled it to the DMV and they didn't even come out and look at it.
The ex owner of mine had it in his garage for 16 years. Didn't have a clue where the titles were for the boat or the trailer. He did a bill of sale, I walked into California DMV with that and two old registration cards, received my title in the mail three weeks later for both. I even hauled it to the DMV and they didn't even come out and look at it.
T
Tom
Serial Number to Freebie
Because I have no title, no registrations, is there a way using the boats serial number to track history of ownership. Is there a documentation service like there is in real estate to find this information. If I can find the previous onwer the last to have it registered than I can perhaps force a title. Or try somthing else. You all are being very helpful. And I thank you.
Because I have no title, no registrations, is there a way using the boats serial number to track history of ownership. Is there a documentation service like there is in real estate to find this information. If I can find the previous onwer the last to have it registered than I can perhaps force a title. Or try somthing else. You all are being very helpful. And I thank you.
DMV Follies
if the boat is from your state, the DMV might be able to find the history for a fee. I know here in California the boat will drop from the database if not registered after so many years but they can usually track it if it is there. The DMV here helped me locate a car I sold 20 years ago last month with the VIN in hand. I would take the HIN in and see what they can do. Especially since you are trying to obtain title. Find out from them how to obtain the missing title. They might have a certain number of steps you need to take and if those don't pan out, then they will issue a new title for the boat.
if the boat is from your state, the DMV might be able to find the history for a fee. I know here in California the boat will drop from the database if not registered after so many years but they can usually track it if it is there. The DMV here helped me locate a car I sold 20 years ago last month with the VIN in hand. I would take the HIN in and see what they can do. Especially since you are trying to obtain title. Find out from them how to obtain the missing title. They might have a certain number of steps you need to take and if those don't pan out, then they will issue a new title for the boat.
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Rich
Another suggestion...
For this situation on about three different cars over the years: When you do find the last registered/titled owner, you can "buy" it from them... skipping all history which came after. I did find the last titled owner for my O'Day, and she would have allowed me to "buy" it from her (she would have filled the papers out for free, I was going to give her $20 for her time). This would have worked perfectly, because DMV did not have any records of the half-assed transactions since she had owned it. In my case it did not work, though, because DMV did have my attempt to get a title the "correct" way in thier computer. I actually asked, "Can't I just buy it from the last owner", and was told, "Too late now". I point this out in case that becomes an option... don't burn your bridges (I mean DO NOT contact DMV... they ARE NOT on your side... they have the mindset that finding problems is "doing their job") until you know the best route. As an aside, I always remember the time my friend tried to register an old Mustang, but was rejected by DMV because he was missing some papers. Rather than send him to get them, the clerk gleefully marked his registration "VOID" in red pen... this made it almost impossible. He really needed that reg form. So he got the papers (all legal), and looked at the marked registration. He found a similar pen, and wrote '67 before the "VOID". The "V" was easily changed to a big "F", since it was on it's side a little... and the "I" easily became an "R". He went back to a different DMV office with all his papers, and a registration which had penned on the back, " '67 Ford". The clerk gave it a short, quizzical look, then registered the car. Genuine ethics is something which is missing from DMV policy and practice. I repeat, they are not on your side. Rich.
For this situation on about three different cars over the years: When you do find the last registered/titled owner, you can "buy" it from them... skipping all history which came after. I did find the last titled owner for my O'Day, and she would have allowed me to "buy" it from her (she would have filled the papers out for free, I was going to give her $20 for her time). This would have worked perfectly, because DMV did not have any records of the half-assed transactions since she had owned it. In my case it did not work, though, because DMV did have my attempt to get a title the "correct" way in thier computer. I actually asked, "Can't I just buy it from the last owner", and was told, "Too late now". I point this out in case that becomes an option... don't burn your bridges (I mean DO NOT contact DMV... they ARE NOT on your side... they have the mindset that finding problems is "doing their job") until you know the best route. As an aside, I always remember the time my friend tried to register an old Mustang, but was rejected by DMV because he was missing some papers. Rather than send him to get them, the clerk gleefully marked his registration "VOID" in red pen... this made it almost impossible. He really needed that reg form. So he got the papers (all legal), and looked at the marked registration. He found a similar pen, and wrote '67 before the "VOID". The "V" was easily changed to a big "F", since it was on it's side a little... and the "I" easily became an "R". He went back to a different DMV office with all his papers, and a registration which had penned on the back, " '67 Ford". The clerk gave it a short, quizzical look, then registered the car. Genuine ethics is something which is missing from DMV policy and practice. I repeat, they are not on your side. Rich.
T
Tom
Serial Number information for model year
In my quest to get title for this boat the hull Id number has lead me to the last owner however the last 3 digits on the hull ID is 771 the info from the state say's it's a 77. I was told it was a 71. Which is it?
In my quest to get title for this boat the hull Id number has lead me to the last owner however the last 3 digits on the hull ID is 771 the info from the state say's it's a 77. I was told it was a 71. Which is it?
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Rich.
New Spin...
Well that puts a whole new spin on it. My 1973 O'Day has "73" as the last numbers, which I always belived to be the year. This happens to be the first year a title is needed in NY. If you were told you bought a '71, and the numbers end in "71", it sounds like you have a 1971 boat. maybe you don't need a title after all. If you can convince the motor vehicle of it's true year, perhaps you will be home free. Do you have a fixed keel, no centerboard, and a dinette on the port side? They did away with this dinette by '73, making a solid port bunk, and putting a flange for a pipe support/table on the sole between the settees, instead. And do you have a 3/4 rig, or does the fore stay go to the masthead? The 3/4 rig was the first couple of years only. Checking these features will rule out/in the boat being a 1977, and along with a tracing of the VIN might get you past the whole title mess. Rich.
Well that puts a whole new spin on it. My 1973 O'Day has "73" as the last numbers, which I always belived to be the year. This happens to be the first year a title is needed in NY. If you were told you bought a '71, and the numbers end in "71", it sounds like you have a 1971 boat. maybe you don't need a title after all. If you can convince the motor vehicle of it's true year, perhaps you will be home free. Do you have a fixed keel, no centerboard, and a dinette on the port side? They did away with this dinette by '73, making a solid port bunk, and putting a flange for a pipe support/table on the sole between the settees, instead. And do you have a 3/4 rig, or does the fore stay go to the masthead? The 3/4 rig was the first couple of years only. Checking these features will rule out/in the boat being a 1977, and along with a tracing of the VIN might get you past the whole title mess. Rich.
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