Easy Bill of Sale

Boat Bill of Sale

A boat is often three things sold together: the hull, the motor and the trailer. Many states title or register each one separately, so a good boat bill of sale lists every serial number in one place.

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1 Seller and buyer

2 The vessel

12 characters on the upper right of the transom.

3 Price and terms

Original · Seller

Boat Bill of Sale

I, __________________________ ("Seller"), of ________________________________, in exchange for the sum of $____________ (______________________________ dollars), paid by cash, the receipt of which is acknowledged, sell and transfer to __________________________ ("Buyer"), of ________________________________, the following vessel:

Year______________
Make______________
Model______________
Length (ft)______________
Hull material______________
Hull ID (HIN)____________________________
State registration no.______________
Motor (make, HP)____________________________
Motor serial no.______________
Trailer included (make, VIN)____________________________

Terms

The vessel is sold "as is, where is", with no warranty, express or implied, including any implied warranty of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. The Buyer has had the opportunity to inspect it and accepts it in its present condition.

The Seller states that they are the lawful owner, that the vessel is free of all liens, loans and encumbrances, and that they have the right to sell it.

Signed on ____________________.

Seller signatureBuyer signature
Seller printed nameBuyer printed name

What a boat bill of sale should include

  • Hull Identification Number (HIN) – required on boats built after November 1972
  • State registration number and title number if titled
  • Motor make, horsepower and serial number
  • Trailer make and VIN if it is part of the deal
  • Sale price split between boat, motor and trailer when your state taxes them separately

Not giving any promises about condition? Keep the as-is clause ticked. Need a notary? See which states require one.

After you both sign

  1. Make two copies. Each side keeps a signed original or copy.
  2. Hand over the title (if the vessel is titled), signed in the seller section.
  3. Seller: remove plates if your state requires it and file any notice of sale.
  4. Buyer: register and pay sales tax within your state's deadline, often 10–30 days.

Questions people ask

Where is the HIN on a boat?

On the starboard (right) side of the transom, near the top, as required by U.S. Coast Guard rules (33 CFR 181). A second, hidden copy is placed somewhere else on the hull by the builder.

Does the trailer need its own bill of sale?

In most states the trailer is registered as a road vehicle by the motor vehicle agency, not the boating agency. Listing it on the same bill of sale is fine, but include its VIN so the buyer can title or register it.

Who registers boats in my state?

It varies: the DMV in some states (California), the Fish and Wildlife or Natural Resources department in others (Texas Parks and Wildlife, Georgia DNR). Your state page lists the agency where we know it.

What about federally documented vessels?

Vessels documented with the Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center transfer with form CG-1340, the official Coast Guard bill of sale. Use that form for documented vessels.

Boat bill of sale by state

Pick your state for the agency, official form number and notary rules. The generator above works for every state.

Other bill of sale forms

Car / vehicle8 fields · odometer · VIN checkMotorcycle8 fields · odometer · VIN checkTrailer7 fields · VIN checkFirearm6 fieldsHorse8 fieldsDog / puppy9 fieldsMobile home8 fieldsATV / UTV7 fields · VIN checkRV / camper8 fields · odometer · VIN checkGolf cart7 fieldsJet ski7 fields · hull IDEquipment4 fieldsAnything else3 fields