sailboat registration

Joe · Jun 28, 2016

I would go to the source.... ask the seller.

Ron20324 · Jun 28, 2016

Hire a broker to handle the transaction.

Crazy Dave Condon · Jun 28, 2016

if there is a trailer involved, than that as well. YOu will need notarized bill of sales and titles as well to match the name on the bill of sales. You could then call Canadian Customs before you buy and make sure the owner has the titles as to what will be required.

dlochner · Jun 28, 2016

Is the boat USCG documented or just registered in a state? It will be easier if it is documented as it will have a clear title.

Will you register the boat in Canada, or license it? http://www.tc.gc.ca/eng/marinesafety/oep-vesselreg-registration-menu-2311.htm

For an international sale you may find it worth the money to hire an agency to handle to title transfer and deal with customs and import fees.

druid · Jun 28, 2016

I think you want to LICENSE it rather than REGISTER it. Registration is a very complex process, usually for commercial boats or ones going offshore. It's especially complicated for boats not built in Canada - you have to get a letter from the country where it's built (US?) that releases it from them.

Get it licensed - you just need bill of sale, HIN, etc. and it's free. Service Canada (as in how a bull "services" a cow...) does the licensing.

druid

Benny17441 · Jun 28, 2016

I think Druid has a very good point, I think what you are asking about is an Import License or permission to purchase and bring a boat permanently into the country. Such license may contain a document of title towards the licensed boat. Please inquire with your taxing authorities about the requirements ($$) and forms for such a license.

dziedzicmj · Jun 29, 2016

Normally you don't "register" the boat in Canada; it is sufficient to "licence" it (see what Druid says).
Hire a broker to handle the transaction; you may find this to be one of the best money spent. I did, when importing a boat from the US and I certainly don't regret it. The carrier (the boat came in by land) could not believe how quick (and easy) was the border crossing. And it also helped two years later when the province came knocking for its share of the sales tax.
On a transaction like that you want to have your paperwork done right the first time.
mdz

dlochner · Jun 30, 2016

You may want to check on entry requirements for the countries you plan to visit. They may require more than a title and bill of sale. Your insurance company may also have thoughts about this.

agprice22 · Jul 1, 2016

I would get the registration and title transferred to you in the US first. Sail it. Then import it to Canada when you are ready. Thus, you will have title and registration in your name.

dlochner · Jul 1, 2016

Perhaps this article will answer some of your questions: Association of Yacht Sales Professionals | U.S. / Canadian Vessel Transactions or this site Canadian registration | Maritime Advocate

Essentially you taking a US boat and importing it to Canada. In the US there are companies that will handle documentation paperwork for a fee. There must be similar organizations in Canada. A call to a Canadian broker may yield a referral to such a business.

VanIslandGuy · Jul 1, 2016

http://www.rutherfordglobal.com/customsbrokerage.html

We used these guys at the recommendation of our yacht broker. We imported from USA into Canada. It was money very well spent.

On our delivery home from Seattle to Vancouver Island, we spent under 20 minutes at the Canada customs dock, did everything by phone, they didn't even come on board. Highly recommended!

Gunni · Jul 1, 2016

In my experience there is far less interest in the boat documentation than the customs clearance and id of the crew. So start with your DR customs office and see what they require to paper you up. If you are good there , chances are beyond good you will be good at your next international clear-in. Does that help?