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.
The HIN: the federal backbone of every boat sale
Hull identification numbers are federal law, not a state convention. The Coast Guard's manufacturer requirements in 33 CFR part 181 mandate a 12-character HIN affixed to the transom of every boat built or imported since November 1972, plus a duplicate in an unexposed location inside the hull. Before money changes hands, physically read the transom HIN and compare it, character by character, to the title or registration. Grinding marks, fresh gelcoat over the HIN area, or a plate that looks re-riveted are classic signs of a stolen or rebuilt hull.
| Item | Identifier | Where it appears |
|---|---|---|
| Hull | HIN (12 characters) | Upper starboard transom, duplicated inside the hull |
| Outboard motor | Engine serial number | Plate on the transom bracket or under the cowling |
| Trailer | VIN (17 characters) | Tongue or frame rail sticker or stamping |
How state titling rules differ: two examples
Every state registers boats, but the paperwork chain differs. In Texas, Parks and Wildlife Code chapter 31 requires titling and registration of most motorized vessels through the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department, with a 45-day window to transfer after a sale, and Texas titles outboard motors separately from hulls. In Washington, RCW chapter 88.02 requires registration through the Department of Licensing, and the buyer must apply within 15 days of acquiring the vessel. Deadlines between 15 and 60 days are typical nationwide, and late transfers usually cost penalty fees calculated from the sale date on the bill of sale.
Two states may be involved
Boats often sell across state lines. The seller's state governs how the title is released; the buyer's state governs registration, tax, and whether notarization is required. When in doubt, satisfy the stricter of the two.
How to complete a private boat sale, step by step
- Verify the HIN on the transom against the title or registration card
- Check for liens on the title and, for larger boats, ask whether the vessel is Coast Guard documented
- Let the buyer inspect: sea trial, compression or diagnostic check on the engine, and a marine survey for larger purchases
- Agree on the price and exactly what is included: motor, trailer, electronics, safety gear, spare props
- Complete the bill of sale with the HIN, engine serial number, trailer VIN, price, and as-is terms
- Sign (notarize if the buyer's state requires it), exchange funds, and hand over the signed title or registration
- Buyer: register and title the boat and trailer within the state deadline and pay sales or use tax
- Seller: file the release-of-liability or notice of sale where the state offers one, and cancel insurance once the transfer is confirmed
Do not let the boat leave on your registration
Until the buyer registers the vessel and trailer, tickets, marina fees, and accidents can trace back to the seller. Recording the exact date and time of sale in the bill of sale, and filing the seller's notice where available, cuts that exposure off.
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.
Price the paper trail accordingly. The bill of sale is the document tax authorities, registration clerks, and small claims judges will read, so record the real price, the real date, and the real condition notes. If the trailer is a meaningful part of the value, some buyers prefer a separate trailer bill of sale so each title office sees only the paperwork it needs, and a release of liability signed at handover adds a second layer of protection for sellers in states without a notice-of-sale system.
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.
How long does the buyer have to register the boat?
Typically 15 to 60 days from the sale date, depending on the state: 15 days in Washington, 45 in Texas, 30 in many others. The clock runs from the date on the bill of sale, and late transfers add penalty fees.
What if the boat has no title?
Some states never titled older or smaller boats; there the registration card plus a bill of sale is the normal transfer paperwork. If the state does title the boat and the seller lost it, the seller should order a duplicate before the sale. Buying a titled boat without the title is how buyers inherit liens and theft disputes.
Do I need a separate bill of sale for the trailer?
One document listing hull, motor, and trailer with their identifiers works in most states, and this template does exactly that. A few DMVs prefer a standalone trailer document, so a separate trailer bill of sale is a safe add-on when the trailer is titled.
What about boats documented with the Coast Guard?
Federally documented vessels (common above 40 feet or used commercially) transfer by a Coast Guard bill of sale filed with the National Vessel Documentation Center, not through the state title process. State registration or tax filings may still apply on top.
Should the sale price include the trailer and gear separately?
Itemizing helps: some states tax boats and trailers differently, and an itemized price supports the tax calculation for each title office. It also avoids disputes about whether electronics or safety gear were part of the deal.