Well I thought my boat buying nightmares were over, but lo and behold I have run into another snafu. This is specific to the state of NJ. I bought an O'Day 20 from a guy in NY. He gave me a bill of sale (which I had notarized) and an old registration from 1975 with some other guys name on it. The back of the registration has blank spaces where a seller can transfer ownership to a buyer. My seller said that was all the documentation he had for the boat. Now when I took this stuff to register it in NJ they asked for a title!! I called the seller back and he said he had no title and couldn't get one. I have no way of tracking down the guy whose name is on the registration because apparently this boat has been bought and sold many times over the years. I checked the NJ boat registration requirements and I need a title from a previous owner. Any ideas out there? HELP. P.S. Geez. First-time boat buyer and all I wanted to do was sail this summer.
Registering a Boat with No Title-HELP
- Thread starter Cate
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Some State Don't Title
When we were in Mississippi there was no title for the boat in Florida there is. Are you sure New York titles boats? It may be simpler to register it in New York and then transfer it to New Jersey once it is in your name. On the other hand if there is no motor on it many states do not require it to be registered.
When we were in Mississippi there was no title for the boat in Florida there is. Are you sure New York titles boats? It may be simpler to register it in New York and then transfer it to New Jersey once it is in your name. On the other hand if there is no motor on it many states do not require it to be registered.
Cate...
I'm not exactly sure, but New York may not have been a title state in 1975. Years ago, motor vehicles and boats were transferred in New York by executing the back of the registration form - - - there was no separate piece of paper for the title, as there is now. Surely, a supervisory person at your state office where you register boats should be able to deal with this. Good luck!!!
I'm not exactly sure, but New York may not have been a title state in 1975. Years ago, motor vehicles and boats were transferred in New York by executing the back of the registration form - - - there was no separate piece of paper for the title, as there is now. Surely, a supervisory person at your state office where you register boats should be able to deal with this. Good luck!!!
NY Titles and Registration Info
Okay. This is the info on NY titles. My O'Day 20 (1975) would not have a title...BUT that does not solve my problem that the registration name is not the name of the seller. NY does not require registration of sailboats with no motor. (which mine does not have
From the NYS DMV web site: The NYS DMV issues title certificates for boats that are: model year 1987 and newer, at least 14 ft. long, and registered in New York State. The title certificate is used for proof of ownership for these boats instead of the registration. Title certificates are not issued for boats that do not match the description above or for boats registered with the Coast Guard. For a boat that does not receive a title certificate, the transferable registration is proof of ownership.
Okay. This is the info on NY titles. My O'Day 20 (1975) would not have a title...BUT that does not solve my problem that the registration name is not the name of the seller. NY does not require registration of sailboats with no motor. (which mine does not have
From the NYS DMV web site: The NYS DMV issues title certificates for boats that are: model year 1987 and newer, at least 14 ft. long, and registered in New York State. The title certificate is used for proof of ownership for these boats instead of the registration. Title certificates are not issued for boats that do not match the description above or for boats registered with the Coast Guard. For a boat that does not receive a title certificate, the transferable registration is proof of ownership.bad customer service
It seems like you got bad customer service at your local MVC office. Here's a link to NJ's MVC site that claims your bill of sale should get you registered since NY is a non-titling state for your boat (based on age of the boat.) I would print out the page on NY's info and the NJ page, highlight the pertinent info, and politely point out the person's ignorance. After you have your new registration in hand, let the person's supervisor know that he/she is either too lazy or too incompetent to be filling such a position. That last bit might just be a nicotine fit I'm having right now.
It seems like you got bad customer service at your local MVC office. Here's a link to NJ's MVC site that claims your bill of sale should get you registered since NY is a non-titling state for your boat (based on age of the boat.) I would print out the page on NY's info and the NJ page, highlight the pertinent info, and politely point out the person's ignorance. After you have your new registration in hand, let the person's supervisor know that he/she is either too lazy or too incompetent to be filling such a position. That last bit might just be a nicotine fit I'm having right now.
boat title
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
boat title
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
boat title
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
boat title
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
boat title
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Hi Cate, I gave an old Sunfish sailboat to my Mom. I live in CA and she lives in NJ. I had to send this letter to her so she could register it; Testimony of ownership of sailboat and transference: I, __sellers name________, resident of _____sellers address_______, have owned this light blue and white Alcort Sunfish since 1978. I have given the sailboat to ____your name________ and relinquish ownership to ___your gender____. Any questions can be directed to: ___sellers name_____ ___sellers phone____ ___sellers address____ IN WITNESS WHEREOF I have hereunto set my hand this ___ day of ___month/year___, that the foregoing is true and to the best of my recollection. Signature AS A WITNESS I have 1 have hereunto set my hand and seal that this Testimony was SIGNED and DECLARED by ___sellers name____ in my presence on this ____ day of __month___ Notary Signature Commission Expires on
Same problem
I had the same problem with my 28 ODay 7 years ago. I finally got frustrated and registered the boat in my name in NY even though I live here in NJ. Have the "seller" sign the back of the registration card over to you. (A benefit was that I got to keep the same reg. numbers on the boat as well). A few months after I got the paperwork from NY, I went and had it transfered over and titled and registered in NJ. It's perfectly OK to do this for a while. NJ only needs a title from a title state. They will accept the transfer of the registration card and create a NJ title for you. The problem may only be that the registration card from NY is not current. You may just have to be a little creative like I suggest-- Or try what Mark suggests. Either way works. Eventually you do have to transfer it to NJ, especially if you keep the boat docked in NJ. As long as the state is collecting their fees, they're happy. Good luck and enjoy your new boat!
I had the same problem with my 28 ODay 7 years ago. I finally got frustrated and registered the boat in my name in NY even though I live here in NJ. Have the "seller" sign the back of the registration card over to you. (A benefit was that I got to keep the same reg. numbers on the boat as well). A few months after I got the paperwork from NY, I went and had it transfered over and titled and registered in NJ. It's perfectly OK to do this for a while. NJ only needs a title from a title state. They will accept the transfer of the registration card and create a NJ title for you. The problem may only be that the registration card from NY is not current. You may just have to be a little creative like I suggest-- Or try what Mark suggests. Either way works. Eventually you do have to transfer it to NJ, especially if you keep the boat docked in NJ. As long as the state is collecting their fees, they're happy. Good luck and enjoy your new boat!
Try to get a NY registration . . .
Lesson learned is not to buy a boat without clear title/proof of ownership. It sounds like there is nothing that the seller has/had that proves he actually owned the boat. The last owner of record is the person who's name appears on the old registration. You could probably (for a small fee) have the registration/title searched in NY, based on the ID number of the boat. This may give you a better picture of who actually owned the boat. Like some of the previous responses, your best bet is to see if you can somehow get the boat registered in your name in New York. You can then get it registered & titled in NJ.
Lesson learned is not to buy a boat without clear title/proof of ownership. It sounds like there is nothing that the seller has/had that proves he actually owned the boat. The last owner of record is the person who's name appears on the old registration. You could probably (for a small fee) have the registration/title searched in NY, based on the ID number of the boat. This may give you a better picture of who actually owned the boat. Like some of the previous responses, your best bet is to see if you can somehow get the boat registered in your name in New York. You can then get it registered & titled in NJ.
Registering No Title Boat Update
Interesting turn of events in this saga... I located the original owner of the 1975 O'Day 20 through the miracle of Google. I exchanged emails with him and got a very interesting history of this old boat. Apparently nobody who owned the boat after he sold it re-registered the boat in their name. There were four owners before I bought the boat. Happily, the original owner agreed to sign the transfer of ownership to me from his 1975 registration card. That should do it for the NJ DMV, who by-the-way seems to have a different answer everytime I go there.
Interesting turn of events in this saga... I located the original owner of the 1975 O'Day 20 through the miracle of Google. I exchanged emails with him and got a very interesting history of this old boat. Apparently nobody who owned the boat after he sold it re-registered the boat in their name. There were four owners before I bought the boat. Happily, the original owner agreed to sign the transfer of ownership to me from his 1975 registration card. That should do it for the NJ DMV, who by-the-way seems to have a different answer everytime I go there.
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