How to register a gifted boat?

[Woliver1971]

Me and a buddy were given a 1978 beretta triple v bass boat just recently. The person that gave it to use was also gifted the boat and never attempted to register it. Is it possible to register the boat? If so how does one go about that. The last registration sticker on the hill is dated 98. There is no title in the mix. It has a outboard motor and is under 20 feet so from what I have gathered the lack of title is not an issue.

 

[GA_Boater]

Look on the sticker from 1998 and get in touch with the state agency written o the sticker. After 23 years, it may be tough to get her legal.

You have a trailer? More hoops!

 

[Bob_VT]

it really depends on the state where you are located. Every state has different rules - good luck I would suggest you start with the Fish and Game or the DMV whoever takes care of boat registrations and trailers too.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I would at least have this "person" write up a bill of sale for $0 so that you have a record of receiving the boat.

 

[briangcc]

IF it were me, I'd be returning it to the person you got it from. Here's why...

You were "gifted" the boat from Person 1. No documentation.
Person 1 was "gifted" the boat from Person 2. No documentation.
Who's to say Person 2 was legally entitled to actually transfer the boat? Again, no documentation.

In my state, that's at least (2) title jumps....and in my state, there's either a title OR transferable registration (which serves as the title).

Enough flags that I wouldn't be touching it and would tow it back where ever it came from.

 

[Woliver1971]

I am confident that the boat is not stolen and has a clean background as it was from a widow who wanted it out of the garage. I am in Michigan. I had wondered about a bill of sale is there a specific format for a bill of sale or would a written note with the boats info and signed count.

 

[briangcc]

404

www.michigan.gov

I'd read the part about the title since you do have a permanently affixed motor on the boat.

 

[GA_Boater]

I am confident that the boat is not stolen and has a clean background as it was from a widow who wanted it out of the garage. I am in Michigan. I had wondered about a bill of sale is there a specific format for a bill of sale or would a written note with the boats info and signed count.

The only person who can make out a bill of sale is the owner, in this case the widow or the executor of her husband's estate. With no title or other paperwork, the giftees never owned the boat. Nor do you.

 

[Captain Caveman]

I'll also be the guy who just says, that if you don't mind the risk, you can just use it as-is. I wouldn't use it on a popular lake without registration but a smaller lake in the middle of nowhere....I doubt that anyone will bother you.

As for the bill of sale, you can certainly find a form online if you want (https://eforms.com/bill-of-sale/mi/michigan-boat-bill-of-sale/). You can also just find standard language online as well. Usually when I or someone else does it, I just write out that John Doe is selling to John Smith this 1978 Beretta with a 19xx motor for the price of $0. If there is a trailer include that info too. Put the hull ID and any serial numbers that you can find on the boat, motor, and trailer. Put the 1998 registration number in there as well. Write both parties addresses and phone numbers, then have both parties sign it.

I'll mildly disagree with GA_Boater in the sense that you can write out the bill of sale for the widow and have her sign it. My guess is that she may not know what to have in there. You could write one up and she can feel free to do her own version if she prefers. I find most sellers don't care so I bring my own pre-written with blanks for all of the boat/motor/trailer info to fill in at the time of sale.

The Michigan Secretary Of State (SOS) link that briangcc posted is what you should be reading.