Abandoned Boat Help

[Icy1027]

Hi everyone, new to the forum and could use some help. I live in pennsylvania and almost a year ago, had a room mate that had a boat. The motor blew 2 years ago and it hasn't been in the water since. When he moved out he asked us if he could keep the boat here for a month, that he would come and pick it up in that time period. We told him that was fine as long as it wasn't here for more than a month. He never came to get it, never called, never heard from him. It has been almost a year now and we want to get rid of it. We were originally going to keep it and fix it ourselves but we could really use the money at the moment so I've been trying to sell it. My question is, can I sell it without a title or do I have to go through the process of getting a title myself? I was really hoping to have it out of here by this weekend but I don't want the buyer to have any problems but I also don't really have the money to pay all of the fees to apply for the title myself. I have no idea where the owner moved to and he has since changed his number so I have no way of getting ahold of him. Honestly if he decides after all of this time that he wants the boat back, I'd like him to pay a storage fee for it, I know how much it costs to store a boat(my parents have a pontoon and it costs them a ton every winter to store it). I can only imagine that the cost to store it for all of this time would outweigh the value of the boat so he wouldn't want it back anyway. Does anyone have any advice?

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

That's a legal issue. Contact a lawyer for advice.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

What you have is known as a yard planter its unlikely any one will buy it except for parts and with a blown motor thats not likely and getting a title for it will be a nightmare and with most old uncared for boats its a endless money pit, Hall it off to the scrap yard and be done with it.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

You're in luck. PA is pretty lenient on these things. As long as the boat has PA numbers on it, you can get it re-gistered in your name (which I would advise as opposed to just selling it as is). They will send a letter to the last registered owner and if they don't hear from him (which I kinda doubt they will from what you've said) they'll issue you a new registration. Easy-peezy.

All this is assuming we're talking about an older boat. I think boats older than somewhere in the 90's are not required to be titled. If it's a newer boat with an actual title, you may have more troubles. Regardless, contact PA Fish & Game and you'll find they are quite helpful. Good luck.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

first I'd want to know what your "boat" is to know what's worthwhile.

If you were in Virginia, since it's abandoned to you on your property (even if you rent) you could go through the abandoned property process. If it's on a trailer, you have two titles to deal with (in Va--I think some states even title motors!). It takes time.

The only way to get rid of it first is either "free boat" or tell the buyer you will make best efforts to get a title, at your expense, and take a chance that it works out. However, in some states it's illegal to sell a vehicle to which you don't have a title and may be the same with boats, although I see that as low risk.

Make some calls and check the websites of your state's registration offices to see what's entailed. You shouldn't need a lawyer for a small boat.

 

[Icy1027]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

You're in luck. PA is pretty lenient on these things. As long as the boat has PA numbers on it, you can get it re-gistered in your name (which I would advise as opposed to just selling it as is). They will send a letter to the last registered owner and if they don't hear from him (which I kinda doubt they will from what you've said) they'll issue you a new registration. Easy-peezy.

All this is assuming we're talking about an older boat. I think boats older than somewhere in the 90's are not required to be titled. If it's a newer boat with an actual title, you may have more troubles. Regardless, contact PA Fish & Game and you'll find they are quite helpful. Good luck.

Thanks for all of your advice. It is a Hawaiian boat, from what I can tell, they were made by a small company in California. I'm not exactly sure of the size but I know that it has an inboard 4 cylinder engine in it and yes, it is on a trailer. We were originally going to keep it since it has an inboard motor and we could pick one up for about $200 but like I said, we kind of ended up in a situation where we could use the money so I figured I'd sell the thing for a couple hundred bucks instead. I've seen boats in worse condition on craigslist for well over $1000 so I figured for way less than half of that someone might want it even without a title. I don't have an exact year but from the research I did it seems that this company stopped manufacturing in the early '80's so it is definitely an older boat. And like I said, it was in the water only 2 years ago so other than the engine it's not really in that bad of shape.

I have talked to a few people that said that it's pretty easy to get a title for an abandoned boat here and it was previously titled and registered here so I was hoping that would help. I was checking on the fish and boat commission's website and there is indeed a form to fill out for abandoned watercrafts I just wasn't sure if there was a way I could sell it without having to go through the hassle myself only to turn around and have to transfer the title anyway. And honestly, if I go through the process to get the title in my name, I may be tempted to keep it since we live right off of the river.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

"Title" and "Registration" are two different things in PA. That boat, if it doesn't currently have a title (it probably doesn't) does not need one but you could optionally decide to title it (which would be silly).

 

[Icy1027]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

"Title" and "Registration" are two different things in PA. That boat, if it doesn't currently have a title (it probably doesn't) does not need one but you could optionally decide to title it (which would be silly).

I didn't realize if it didn't have a title, because of age, that it didn't need one. I had a friend with an old moped that never had a title and had it impounded because he didn't have one but there was also no way for him to get one either. But then agian, that was being operated on the roadways so I suppose they are a little more strict about it. I never asked him if he had a title for it, I just assumed he did, I thought all boats had titles. But then again, aside from going out on the river with friends and family my boat experience is next to none. I'm pretty sure I can get a title for the trailer if need be and if the boat doesn't need a title then I suppose I really have no problem. That's good news

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

Yeah motor vehicles and boats totally different. The TRAILER for this boat is a different story altogether and I don't have a lot of advice in that department. I've heard going the "homemade" route has been made very difficult. Probably why most people just swap plates around.

 

[Icy1027]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

You guys have been a load of help, since you all seem to be so knowledgeable, I thought I would post some pics, if anyone knows anything I should know about these boats please feel free to chime in. It says "Hawaiian Boats" on it as the manufacturer and I've tried to do research on the company and see if I can find any info on this particular boat but unfortunately, searching "Hawaiian Boats" just leads me to a bunch of stuff about boating in hawaii :facepalm:

 

[Lowe170]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

Icy, you've got some decisions to make. You can be sure that boat is going to need some significant dollars for what you see right now and what you don't see. Since "cash flow" may be an issue, time is that boat's worst enemy and you'll be looking at needing even more monies if you have to wait even longer to fix up. Good luck!

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

From what I see its a sharp looking boat though.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

They were out of business from '81-85.
Then re-opened from 1985 to 1994.

IMO -
You really don't have the authority to sell something that isn't yours.
You need to get the paperwork straightened out, then you can sell it.

You can get yourself in a lot of hot water without proper documentation.

No different that selling your neighbors car.

The buyer is going to need some documentation, or he won't be able to use it.
Typically now days, you need a bill of sale, registration card, and if the boat was titled at the time of last registration, you will need the title.

 

[Icy1027]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

They were out of business from '81-85.
Then re-opened from 1985 to 1994.

IMO -
You really don't have the authority to sell something that isn't yours.
You need to get the paperwork straightened out, then you can sell it.

You can get yourself in a lot of hot water without proper documentation.

No different that selling your neighbors car.

The buyer is going to need some documentation, or he won't be able to use it.
Typically now days, you need a bill of sale, registration card, and if the boat was titled at the time of last registration, you will need the title.

Thank you for that info, I had no idea they reopened in the late eighties. Is there an easy way to tell the year the boat was made? The plaque in the photo is filled out, it's just very faint and you can't see the info in the photo(I kind of wanted it that way for internet purposes). From what I've found on the PA fish and boat commissions website, any boat that is left on another persons property without the proper arrangements for more than 3 months is considered abandoned. We have given the owner more than enough time to come and get it, he asked for one month, we gave him 12, and now we have no way to get a hold of him or any idea of where he even lives. He's been in and out of jail in the past and I honestly don't have any idea what his current situation is. I run a business out of my home and this boat is a bit of an eyesore that I'm tired of explaining to people why it's there when they come over. I have a notary that I've used for all of my cars and everything in between, I am going to give her a call and see what she thinks I should do. I know she's dealt with a lot of boats and trailers(her office is less than ten minutes from a large marina), so I'm sure she can give me some good advice. You guys were all very helpful too! And I've had fun reading through the forum as well. Makes me excited to go tubing again soon, I love this time of year

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

don't get legal advice from a notary, unless she has also done the paperwork for abandoned boats for the marina. You're wasting your time and may head off in the wrong direction.

call the agencies in your state for boat and trailer registration and get the info on abandoned vehicle/boat sales and how to get titles then do what it says. It would be two agencies and two processes in Virginia; can't speak to Pa. Do both processes at the same time. You will likely end up having an auction in your yard--with just you and your dog attending--then you get title, then you can sell. If someone shows up and bids, it's your lucky day. Otherwise, you bid $100 for each.

You will likely be told to send notice to the guy's last known address, certified RRR. If that is your house, send it anyway even though you know he won't get it. That's how it works. Your state might require notice to the address on the last registration. Same deal. Send it anyway.

Then sell it and always take the first offer. If you don't know boats, get someone who does to help you with the pricing. Put some air in the tires and hose it off. Have 2 bills of sale ready, one for the boat and one for the trailer, specifying "as is" with no warranty of condition, fitness for purpose, merchantibility or title.

Someone said, "Typically now days, you need a bill of sale, registration card, and if the boat was titled at the time of last registration, you will need the title." This is half correct--you typically need these things for a boat you own. You do not own that boat. Your first step is to get title through the abandoned boat/vehicle process. Then you need those things, except MAYBE you don't need to register it, just title it. (In Virginia, you need TITLE to own it and REGISTRATION to use it. Can't speak to Pa.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

I've told you exactly what to do. Deal with PA Fish & Game. Your notary will likely be guessing.

 

[Four Winns Erie]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

Take the advice of ez, he's telling it like it is. The serial number for the boat should be on the outside of the transom (rear of the boat) the last two numbers should be the year manufactured. It is kind of a sharp looking boat.

 

[ONEGA]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

In most Notary Public offices you will see this statement posted: " I'm not an attorney and can't give a legal advise". So any advise from a notary worth the same as your neighbour's.
Regarding prices on CL...you need to know the market and boats really well...otherwise prices you see can be very misleading.
Just my 2 cents.
O.

 

[BlkY2k]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

As far as info on that hull i would do some searching over on screamandfly.com and Riverdavesplace.com Hawiians are still a fairly popular hull and you should have luck over there. Before I did anything as far as restoring it I would checkout the hull first, its probably a balsa core, what shape are the stringers in and the transom? If it is sound that dead 4cyl could be replaced with some big block power of your choice fairly easy and then you`d have something to write home about. heres a 1978 19' with a bbf 460.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Abandoned Boat Help

"Typically now days, you need a bill of sale, registration card, and if the boat was titled at the time of last registration, you will need the title." This is half correct--you typically need these things for a boat you own. You do not own that boat. Your first step is to get title through the abandoned boat/vehicle process. Then you need those things, except MAYBE you don't need to register it, just title it. (In Virginia, you need TITLE to own it and REGISTRATION to use it. Can't speak to Pa.

Use the whole quote.
It says the BUYER is going to need documentation, or he won't be able to use it.


Never mind, remind me to never hire you.


Icy1027, follow the info from PA Fish & Game.
So, a quick turnaround and few hundred in cash is likely not gonna happen.