Boat Bill of Sale
A boat bill of sale records the transfer of a boat from seller to buyer: who, what, for how much and when. Depending on the boat and the state, the buyer may need it to register or title the vessel, and the seller needs it to prove the boat is no longer theirs. Boats add details a car sale does not: the hull identification number, outboard engines and often a trailer.
The engine and trailer nobody listed
A boat is often sold as a package — hull, engine and trailer — but the three may be titled or registered separately. A bill of sale that only says "boat" leaves the buyer unable to register the trailer and invites a dispute about whether the engine or electronics were included.
What the template covers
Identify the vessel
Hull identification number, make, model, year, length and state registration or Coast Guard documentation number.
Engine and trailer separately
Engine make, model and serial number, and the trailer VIN and plate if included.
Price and condition
Sale price, payment method, and whether the boat is sold as-is.
Signed by both parties
Buyer and seller sign online with ID verification; both keep the sealed PDF.
Documented vessels and state titling
Larger recreational vessels may be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard under 46 C.F.R. Part 67, and transfers of documented vessels use the Coast Guard's own bill of sale form (CG-1340) and filing process. Most smaller boats are registered, and in many states titled, by the state, each with its own transfer requirements. A general bill of sale records the agreement between the parties; check whether your state or the Coast Guard requires a specific form. The Electronic Signatures in Global and National Commerce Act, 15 U.S.C. § 7001, provides that a signature, contract or record may not be denied legal effect solely because it is in electronic form, and every state except New York has adopted the Uniform Electronic Transactions Act; New York reaches the same result through its Electronic Signatures and Records Act.
A fishing boat sold with its trailer
A seller in Michigan sold a fishing boat, outboard and trailer to a buyer from Wisconsin. Their bill of sale listed the hull ID, the engine serial number and the trailer VIN, and both signed online. The buyer registered all three in his state without a call back to the seller.
What a boat bill of sale should include
- Seller and buyer names and addresses.
- Hull identification number, make, model, year and length.
- Engine make, model and serial number; trailer VIN if included.
- Sale price, date and payment method.
- As-is statement or any warranty, and signatures.
Questions people ask about this
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a boat?
It is strongly recommended, and many states require one to register or title the boat. Coast Guard documented vessels have their own form.
What is a hull identification number?
A unique number on the boat's transom, similar to a car's VIN, used to identify the vessel.
Should the trailer be on the same bill of sale?
It can be, if listed separately with its VIN, but some states title trailers separately.
Can a boat bill of sale be signed electronically?
For the private agreement, yes. Check whether your state agency or the Coast Guard accepts electronic signatures on its own forms.
Is a boat bill of sale required to be notarized?
Some states require notarization for vessel transfers and some do not. Check your state's boating agency before closing.
What about outstanding liens?
The seller should state there are no liens, or explain how any lien will be paid off at the sale.