A vessel bill of sale is a legal document used to transfer the ownership rights and responsibilities of a boat from one person to another. In order to have your boat registered in the state of Florida, you do not need to provide a bill of sale for the vessel. On the other hand, if you decide to utilize a bill of sale, it may give you significant protection if there is a disagreement over the purchase. There are a lot of moving parts involved in the process of buying or selling a yacht in the state of Florida. A vessel bill of sale is among the essential legal papers to have, and both the buyer and the seller are responsible for ensuring that they have covered all of their bases throughout the transaction. In the state of Florida, a vessel bill of sale is required for the following reasons:
It Shows Proof of Ownership
A vessel bill of sale is essential if you want to acquire a boat or vessel from someone in Florida. In order to establish that you’re the genuine owner of the boat, you need a document known as a “vessel title,” “title transfer,” or “title certificate.” As we’ll see later on, that’s critical for various reasons. There are a few things to keep in mind before we get started. It is possible to utilize a vessel title to prove ownership of everything from boats to jet skis to personal watercraft. To put it another way, it’s like having a title to your vehicle or truck, proving that you own it and that no one else has any claim to it. According to federalregister.gov, there are various distinctions between boat titles and vehicle titles, but they both serve the same purpose: to prove your ownership of the vessel.
It Records the Value of The Boat
Do you need a bill of sale for your watercraft in Florida? The correct response is “yes.” In Florida, the transaction between the previous owner of a boat and the new owner is required to be recorded in a legal document known as a vessel bill of sale. In addition, it keeps a record of the boat’s worth. If there is no written documentation to show ownership of a vessel in Florida, a bill of sale for the boat makes it possible to transfer ownership of the vessel quickly. In Florida, if you do not have a vessel bill of sale, you may be required to go through several rigorous legal processes to demonstrate ownership and transfer ownership to other people. If you don’t have it, the buyer might come after you for the difference if they believe there was no agreement to pay a set amount or if they believe they overpaid.
It Establishes Liability In Case Of an Accident
The bill of sale and the registration are the only forms of evidence that may be accepted as proof of ownership in Florida if you acquire a boat from a person who resides in another state. Suppose an accident occurs on the sea, and it is discovered that the vessel in question was not registered or insured as required. In that case, you may be held accountable for any damages or injuries, regardless of who was at fault for the incident. Your defense against this scenario is a bill of sale; if the other person cannot verify that he sold it to you and that you are properly registered and insured, you won’t be held responsible for his errors. You won’t have to pay for his mistakes either. The last thing you want is for a terrible event to occur without any evidence to prove that you are the boat owner or vessel.
A Vessel Bill of Sale Helps Protect Against Fraud
This document will serve as proof of ownership if you ever require it. If an official ever asks who owns it or tries to confiscate it from your possession, you may display it to them. Second, it ensures that if someone else wants to assume responsibility for your boat, they will do so because they know they can and will take good care of it. Without a bill of sale, it’s impossible to verify this. The fourth and most crucial factor is that it provides a sense of calm. No one wants to spend their lives worried about someone trying to take their belongings from them without them knowing. Those worries are put to rest once and for all with the help of a bill of sale. As a buyer or seller, it’s a good idea to understand the vessel’s legal ownership clearly.
If you have questions about your specific situation, the Vessel Documentation Online LLC expert team can help. Call (877) 564-1398 or click here to send an email.