Boat Bill of Sale
Create a comprehensive boat bill of sale that covers Hull Identification Number, motor specifications, trailer details, and state registration requirements. Designed for all watercraft transactions.
Boat Sales Have Unique Documentation Requirements
Selling a boat privately is fundamentally different from selling a car. A boat transaction often involves multiple separate assets — the hull, one or more motors, a trailer, and sometimes additional electronics and accessories — each of which may have its own title, registration, or serial number. A properly structured boat bill of sale accounts for all of these components in a single document.
Boats are also subject to a different regulatory framework than motor vehicles. While cars are registered with the state DMV, boats are typically registered with the state's Department of Natural Resources, Fish and Wildlife agency, or a dedicated marine division. Larger boats may also carry federal documentation through the United States Coast Guard. Understanding which registrations apply to your boat is essential for completing the transaction correctly.
The private boat market is significant — the National Marine Manufacturers Association reports that pre-owned boat sales far outnumber new boat sales each year. With hundreds of thousands of boats changing hands privately, a thorough bill of sale protects buyers from undisclosed damage, lien issues, and registration complications.
What to Document in a Boat Bill of Sale
A boat bill of sale must capture significantly more detail than a standard vehicle bill of sale. Here are the essential elements specific to watercraft transactions:
Hull Identification Number (HIN)
The 12-character code permanently affixed to the transom. Required for registration in all states. Verify the HIN on the hull matches the title before signing anything.
Hull Details
Year, manufacturer, model, length, beam (width), hull material (fiberglass, aluminum, wood), hull type (V-hull, pontoon, flat-bottom), and the overall vessel type (runabout, center console, sailboat, pontoon).
Motor Specifications
Manufacturer, model, year, horsepower, serial number, fuel type, and whether the motor is inboard, outboard, or stern-drive. List each motor separately if the boat has multiple engines.
Trailer Information
If a trailer is included, document the trailer make, year, VIN, axle configuration, and weight capacity. The trailer title should be signed over separately from the boat title.
Registration and Documentation
Current state registration number, expiration date, and whether the boat carries Coast Guard documentation. The buyer needs this information to transfer the registration.
Included Equipment and Accessories
Electronics (GPS, fishfinder, VHF radio), safety equipment (life jackets, fire extinguisher, flares), anchoring gear, canvas covers, and any other items being sold with the boat.
Coast Guard Documentation vs. State Registration
One of the most common points of confusion in boat sales is the difference between Coast Guard documentation and state registration. These are two separate systems, and understanding the distinction is important for completing your bill of sale and transfer correctly.
Coast Guard Documentation
- Available for boats measuring five net tons or more (roughly 25+ feet)
- Required for commercial vessels in coastwise trade and vessels with marine mortgages
- Boat displays a documentation number instead of state registration numbers
- Transfer requires filing with the National Vessel Documentation Center
- Annual renewal fee applies; does not replace state registration in most states
State Registration
- Required for all recreational boats in every state (including documented vessels in most states)
- Handled by the state wildlife, natural resources, or marine agency
- Registration numbers and validation sticker must be displayed on the hull
- Transfer processed at the state level with bill of sale and signed title
- Sales tax is assessed based on the purchase price documented in the bill of sale
State Registration for Boat Sales
Every state requires recreational boats to be registered, but the process, fees, and timelines differ significantly. In general, the buyer must register the boat within 15 to 30 days of purchase, though some states allow up to 60 days. The registration application typically requires the signed title, a completed bill of sale, proof of identity, and payment of registration fees and sales tax.
Sales tax on boats is a significant consideration. Depending on the state, the tax rate can range from zero (in states with no sales tax, like Montana and Oregon) to over 10% when local taxes are included. Some states cap the sales tax on boats — for example, Florida caps it at $18,000 regardless of the purchase price. The sale price documented in your bill of sale determines the tax owed, so accuracy is critical.
Certain states also require a boater safety course completion certificate as part of the registration process, and most states require the boat to pass a safety equipment inspection. These requirements apply to the buyer after the sale, but the bill of sale is the document that starts the clock on the registration deadline.
Boat Bill of Sale FAQ
Answers to common questions about boat and watercraft bill of sale documents.
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is the boat equivalent of a car's VIN. It is a 12-character code assigned to every boat manufactured or imported after 1972. The HIN is permanently affixed to the transom (the flat back of the boat) on the starboard (right) side, usually within two inches of the top of the transom. A duplicate HIN is also located in a hidden or unexposed interior location. The HIN identifies the manufacturer, hull serial number, and the month and year of production.
If the boat trailer is being sold with the boat, it should be documented in the bill of sale. However, trailers are separate titled and registered vehicles in most states, so the best practice is to include the trailer details on the bill of sale (make, year, VIN, and value) and to also sign over the trailer title separately. Some buyers and sellers create two separate bills of sale — one for the boat and one for the trailer — to keep the DMV filings distinct.
State registration is required for recreational boats in every state and involves registering with your state's wildlife or natural resources department. Coast Guard documentation is a federal registration available for boats measuring at least five net tons (roughly 25 feet or longer) and is typically used for boats that travel in international or interstate waters, are used commercially, or carry a marine mortgage. Documented boats still need a state registration sticker in most states but display a documentation number instead of state registration numbers on the hull.
For outboard motors, include the manufacturer, model, year, horsepower, serial number, and whether the motor is two-stroke or four-stroke. For inboard or stern-drive motors, include the engine manufacturer, model, horsepower, and the serial number. If the boat is being sold with multiple motors, list each one separately. In some states, outboard motors are titled separately from the boat and may need their own bill of sale or title transfer.
Yes. Personal watercraft (PWC) such as jet skis, WaveRunners, and Sea-Doos are classified as boats in most states and require the same registration, title transfer, and bill of sale documentation as any other watercraft. The bill of sale should include the HIN, make, model, year, engine specifications, and the sale price. PWC transactions must also comply with your state's boating registration requirements.
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