Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

[Sandi_k]

So, one of the boats still on our list is in the next state over. When I asked if they had title to the boat, it was phrased as "we have ownership papers." When I pressed, and specifically asked if they had a pink slip IN THEIR NAME, they admitted that they'd never re-titled it when purchased last year.

So allegedly they have now submitted the Bill of Sale and title to get the boat properly titled in their name. But oh yeah, that's in yet another state.

Which makes me wonder - how would we protect ourselves if we accidentally bought a stolen boat? Is there a way to check such things before handing over actual money?

Please, help school a newbie! TIA.

Sandi

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Disclaimer: Laws in your state may vary!

If you wish to be 100% certain you own the boat after paying for it;
Go with him to the title office;
Once they accept the papers for transfer of the title into your name;
Then he gets the money.
Once you get the Title, you are the legal owner according to the state! :joyous:

If he is reluctant to go with you;
Explain that until the title is out of his name;
HE may still be liable for any damages YOU do with the boat.

Damage to property, Fuel Spill cleanup, Personal injury, etc;
If the title is still in his name, it's still HIS boat, HIS problem.
You are just borrowing it with his permission.
Law enforcement will hunt him down first. Lots of explaining will be needed.
A court may eventually rule he is not responsible, but does he want to go through all that grief?

If he never transfered the Title, He doesn't have "OWNERSHIP" he only has Possession.
Without a Title; He never got a Registration either!

You absolutely want the Title and ownership in your Name;
And he definitely wants it out of his. A Win,Win Situation!

You are dealing with a questionable individual. Proceed with caution. :suspicion:

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

There is something called "Boat History Report" http://www.boathistoryreport.com/, which is supposed to be like CarFAX. . . . BUT the boating industry does not have the level of record keeping and controls that the automotive industry does.

So, your best bet is to see/inspect the title, and you can verify the title with the appropriate state agency.

 

[Frank Acampora]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

A while back, I bought two boats which had title but I never transferred title or registered them, I had the transfer notarized. When I went to sell them I simply needed to write a letter to the Fish and Game commission (agency that titles boats, through the instant tag place. I stated that I bought the boats but never used them, never titled them, never registered the, AND I had no interest in them. I was therefore selling them to Joe Blow for X dollars. This was sufficient to let Joe Blow title them. HOWEVER: Remember that I had the original title papers, notarized, with my name as a buyer.

 

[JASinIL2006]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

There are enough anxieties with buying a boat, especially if it's your first boat, that there is no need to add title worries to the list. If the seller doesn't have clear title, or if he/she is not willing to to as Uncle Willie says, you're looking at a real headache. Why start your boat ownership with these kinds of hassles? If you buy a boat to which the seller does not have clear title, you are adding all kinds of unnecessary stress to your life.

Jim

 

[smokeonthewater]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

You can contact the state police in various states and ask that they check to see if that hull number has been reported stolen

 

[Jim Hawkins]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Once again I am in complete agreement with Uncle Willie,

The best way is to do it at the DMV.

Some states don't title boats and to transfer all you need is the previous owners registration and a bill of sale. If you can not do the transfer at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for your state, then call them ahead of time and ask what is required. Whether the seller gives you the registration or title, ask to see their drivers license to confirm the ID.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Disclaimer: Laws in your state may vary!

If you wish to be 100% certain you own the boat after paying for it;
Go with him to the title office;
Once they accept the papers for transfer of the title into your name;
Then he gets the money.
Once you get the Title, you are the legal owner according to the state! :joyous:

If he is reluctant to go with you;
Explain that until the title is out of his name;
HE may still be liable for any damages YOU do with the boat.

Damage to property, Fuel Spill cleanup, Personal injury, etc;
If the title is still in his name, it's still HIS boat, HIS problem.
You are just borrowing it with his permission.
Law enforcement will hunt him down first. Lots of explaining will be needed.
A court may eventually rule he is not responsible, but does he want to go through all that grief?

If he never transfered the Title, He doesn't have "OWNERSHIP" he only has Possession.
Without a Title; He never got a Registration either!

You absolutely want the Title and ownership in your Name;
And he definitely wants it out of his. A Win,Win Situation!

You are dealing with a questionable individual. Proceed with caution. :suspicion:

Yes, this was our thinking as well. Thus why I asked the question.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

You can contact the state police in various states and ask that they check to see if that hull number has been reported stolen

Thank you, that's useful info.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Once again I am in complete agreement with Uncle Willie,

The best way is to do it at the DMV.

Some states don't title boats and to transfer all you need is the previous owners registration and a bill of sale. If you can not do the transfer at the Dept. of Motor Vehicles for your state, then call them ahead of time and ask what is required. Whether the seller gives you the registration or title, ask to see their drivers license to confirm the ID.

He's located in AZ. We're in CA. The boat is allegedly titled in Idaho. So unless he's willing to bring it across state lines to a CA DMV, this won't work. And thus why we're thinking everything through with caution.

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

There are enough anxieties with buying a boat, especially if it's your first boat, that there is no need to add title worries to the list. If the seller doesn't have clear title, or if he/she is not willing to to as Uncle Willie says, you're looking at a real headache. Why start your boat ownership with these kinds of hassles? If you buy a boat to which the seller does not have clear title, you are adding all kinds of unnecessary stress to your life.

Jim

Jim, we understand that - thus why we asked. We just want to be clear about the title before driving 500 miles to have the inspection done and water test, only to find problems with the paperwork.

If there was a VIN or Hull ID checking service, we could simply ask for it before we ever traveled to see it.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

He is in AZ and the boat was previously titled in ID.
He stated that he is about to get the boat titled in his name.

Once ....
1. The Title is in HIS name and
2. It is an AZ title and
3. The title is only DAYS old
... you should be reasonable safe to assume the title is clear.

Have him send you a PHOTO of the HIN.
The title is from ID, Check with the ID State police for any issues.
Or give the HIN and his name to the AZ State Police and see if they can run it through ID/NCIC.

It often helps if you make a physical appearance at a patrol post instead of trying it over the phone.
If you look honest they are usually more cooperative.

 

[loose rivet]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

I'm not sure about AZ or CA, but in NJ the State Police won't run a HIN number unless its in front of them. I've tried, neither the DMV nor the State Marine Police will run a HIN number. They site privacy rules as the reason.
I've more than once tried to find out info on boats for sale and was told more than once, both by NJ, and PA State Police that the only way they will check a hull is to bring it to them. That way if it does come back stolen, they have the boat there to confiscate is the reason I was given in both states. I walked away from both boats, no clue if they were legit or not, but I wasn't taking that chance.

I did consider just calling the police and saying I think there's a stolen boat for sale, they would have to check it out, then if the boat didn't get hauled away, I'd have to figure it was legit. Its probably not the right way to go about it but they don't give you many options. I've seen a few lately that are at least a bit suspect for sale on CL, especially with all the stray boats that got away during Hurricane Sandy, I have the feeling that several boats were just found and for sale by the finding party with no papers, or else they were financed and the owner don't have a clear title to sell the boat with.

 

[MarkSee]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

If there was a VIN or Hull ID checking service, we could simply ask for it before we ever traveled to see it.

You could see is these folks can assist in your search ahead of time.
Local here in SoCal but the info on the site says they do registration services in Ca and Az.
http://www.vesseldocumentation.com/

Mark

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

You could see is these folks can assist in your search ahead of time.
Local here in SoCal but the info on the site says they do registration services in Ca and Az.
Mary Conlin Vessel Documentation Easy, Quick and Simple for pleasure yachts, commercial boats, merchant vessels, charter yacht, Coast Guard boat registration for private boat, commercial ship, charter vessel registration, initial documentations titli

Mark

Mark, this is great. Thank you!

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

The answer unfortunately is no. Every state has their own set of rules and do things differently. However with that said, do some checking in your area for "boat title services". We have a couple in my state (MO.) that work with you to get the title hammered out and stand behind it with a guarantee. As in, if it turns out to be stolen they refund your purchase price.

EXCELLENT info, thank you!

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

He is in AZ and the boat was previously titled in ID.
He stated that he is about to get the boat titled in his name.

Once ....
1. The Title is in HIS name and
2. It is an AZ title and
3. The title is only DAYS old
... you should be reasonable safe to assume the title is clear.

Have him send you a PHOTO of the HIN.
The title is from ID, Check with the ID State police for any issues.
Or give the HIN and his name to the AZ State Police and see if they can run it through ID/NCIC.

It often helps if you make a physical appearance at a patrol post instead of trying it over the phone.
If you look honest they are usually more cooperative.

NCIC is only available to law enforcement, so I'll have to call an AZ info number, and see what they require in order to check it.

And a photo of the HID - I was thinking a PDF of the pink slip and/or registration for the boat and trailer would be better, since he could find a photo of any HID. With the pink slip/registration, I'd have his name with THAT HID connected, which would reassure us both.

Thanks for the advice!

 

[Sandi_k]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

OK, in case this is useful to anyone else -

I googled "'boat titling service' Arizona", and came up with another boating forum, where a company called Sierra Title in Phoenix was recommended. I went to their site, and they had a "forms" page. Which has a link to DOT forms for Arizona, including a form called the "Motor Vehicle Record Request."

http://mvd.azdot.gov/mvd/formsandpub/viewPDF.asp?lngProductKey=1281&lngFormInfoKey=1281

So it looks as if we could go to a DMV in Arizona and have the owner fill out this form as the owner, and get up-to-date info from the DMV, confirming that this vehicle is owned by this person.

Assuming he registers it in AZ and not Idaho.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Pretty sure that website only applies to motor vehicles, as Arizona does not title boats, according to their site, Boating Frequently Asked Questions Arizona Game and Fish Department

Arizona only registers boats. The registration documents ownership.

Arizona does title and register trailers, through the dmv.

Idaho does title boats, registers them for use.

California also requires the boat to have a HIN, so be prepared to get one if the boat doesn't have one.


Must be a special boat.

 

[crabby captain john]

Re: Is there a way to check hull IDs or VIN prior to purchase?

Call your insurance guy and ask for a quote. He should be able to tell if there were any claims over the past 5 years. That worked for me many years ago in PA before I moved to NC.