The paperwork to demand before you pay: documentation vs. state title vs. neither

From the YachtBazar team. The fastest way to turn a good deal into a headache is paying before the paper is right. With no broker in the middle, this is on you. Here's the practical version.

Three situations you'll run into: • Coast Guard documented vessel (common on larger boats). There's a federal document, not a state title. You want the original Certificate of Documentation and a properly filled bill of sale, plus a deletion/transfer per Coast Guard rules. • State-titled boat. Many states title boats like cars. You want the title in the seller's name, signed over, with no surprise lienholder listed. • Neither (often older or smaller boats). Some states don't title certain vessels. Then your bill of sale, the registration, and the hull ID matter even more.

Before money changes hands: • Match the hull identification number on the boat to every document. A mismatch stops everything. • Confirm there's no outstanding loan or lien. Ask, and check with your state's boat agency. • Get a dated bill of sale with both parties' info, the price, the HIN, and "as-is" terms spelled out. • Ask for trailer title separately — it's its own paper. • Settle who pays sales/use tax and registration. Rules vary by state.

This isn't legal advice; verify the specifics with your state's titling agency before you sign.

What paperwork surprise have you hit in an FSBO sale?