A boat bill of sale records a private vessel sale: the hull identification number, the engine and trailer if included, the price, and the as-is terms. State agencies require it, alongside the title or registration, to transfer a boat into the buyer's name.
Boats add a wrinkle cars do not have: the hull, the outboard motor, and the trailer can be three separately titled items. This template describes each one so nothing is disputed after the handover.
One sale, up to three titles
In many states the hull, the outboard motor, and the trailer are registered or titled separately. A bill of sale that only says "2018 Boston Whaler" leaves the motor and trailer in limbo: the buyer cannot register them, and the seller stays on the hook for a trailer still in their name. Listing the HIN for the hull, the serial number for the motor, and the VIN for the trailer closes all three loops in one document.
Find the HIN before the buyer arrives
The hull identification number is stamped on the upper starboard side of the transom (and often duplicated in a hidden location). It must match the title exactly; a mismatched or missing HIN is a red flag that stops most sales.
Registering the boat after the sale
- The buyer registers the vessel with the state boating agency (often the DMV, sometimes fish and wildlife) within a short deadline, commonly 15 to 60 days
- Title states require the signed title plus the bill of sale; registration-only states rely mainly on the bill of sale
- The trailer registers separately with the DMV in nearly every state
- Sales tax or use tax is usually collected at registration, based on the price in the bill of sale
- The seller should notify their state of the sale where a release of liability procedure exists
Documented vessels are different
Boats with US Coast Guard documentation transfer through a Coast Guard bill of sale and exchange of the Certificate of Documentation, not the state process. Check whether the vessel is state-titled or federally documented before the sale.
As-is really matters on the water
Used boats hide expensive problems: soft transoms, waterlogged foam, corroded lower units, and engines that run fine at idle and fail under load. The as-is clause in this bill of sale means the buyer accepts those risks, which is why serious buyers pay for a marine survey and a sea trial before signing. Sellers should disclose known defects honestly anyway: as-is protects against surprises, not against fraud or active concealment.
Frequently asked questions
Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
A handful of states require notarized signatures for vessel transfers, and some title offices prefer it. Most states accept plain signatures. Check the boat registration agency of the buyer's state before the handover; notarizing costs little and never hurts.
Is the outboard motor included automatically?
Do not assume it. In several states outboard motors are titled separately from the hull. This template has a dedicated engine line so the motor, its horsepower, and its serial number are explicitly part of the sale.
What is a HIN and where do I find it?
The hull identification number is a 12-character code (14 with some prefixes) assigned to every boat built or imported since 1972, stamped on the upper starboard side of the transom. It plays the role the VIN plays for a car and must match the title.
Who pays sales tax on a private boat sale?
The buyer, normally when registering or titling the vessel in their state. The agency typically calculates the tax from the price shown on the bill of sale, which is one more reason to record the real price.
Can I sell a boat that still has a loan on it?
Only by paying off the lien so the lender releases the title. Buyers should insist on seeing a lien-free title, or arrange the payoff directly with the lender at closing, before handing over funds.