Title Issues

[qwest]

Hi,

I recently purchased a boat from someone that was left on her property by a tenant. the guy is nowhere to be found for 4+ years and she had no paperwork whatsoever. I got it for pretty cheap and fixed it up rather nicely, runs great. I am looking to sell it as I do not get much use out of it and could probably make a decent profit, but I do not know how to go about obtaining a title.

It was last registered in NY in 2020 and still has the registration numbers on the hull.

Is it possible to obtain an abandonment title without any other party aside from myself? The person who was left with wanted to wash her hands with it & is not really willing to help.

Looking to get the boat registered in NJ

Any insight would be greatly appreciated.

 

[Scott Danforth]

You need to call the local registration office

 

[matt167]

If it’s manufactured before 1986, then yes. You can go through NY. You need her to fill out an MV 51 B, MV51 and a DTF 802 along with providing a picture of the serial number plate or the HIN.. 1987 and later were titled boats and it’s no bueno after that. Being your trying to register in NJ, those 3 forms should be enough as there enough for NY

Hopefully the boat is in good enough shape to justify the effort

 

[qwest]

the hull is a 1996, does this mean theres no hope?

 

[matt167]

There may be a way to do a court ordered title. But yes in NY boats were titled after 1986 so there’s no easy way. Unless it’s 14’ or smaller as those remain transferable registration

 

[Texasmark]

In Texas there is now a method whereby you can register a lost title boat to a different owner. There are certain conditions where that is allowed. Texas Parks and Wildlife site (a self funded state agency) is where you pick up the forms, fill them out and with the fee, send the application to their office. Trailers here are licensed by the local county tax appraiser/collector's office.

As Scott said, find the agency that issues titles for boats and contact them to see if they have a similar law allowing what you want to do. You may be pleasantly surprised.