How to Buy a Boat With a USCG Bill of Sale

uscg bill of sale

As a keen boat owner and enthusiast, it is probably fair to assume that you are always on the lookout for potential upgrades to your vessel status. Of course, there are always plenty of different boats for sale at all times, but it goes without saying that not all vessels are equal, both in terms of their quality and in terms of their circumstances of sale. In order to avoid falling into any unforeseen traps and obstacles as part of the process, it is essential that you buy a boat that comes with an official USCG bill of sale attached. With this in mind, here are a few of the key things to look out for and consider when it comes to buying a boat with the all-important presence of a USCG bill of sale.

Get Everything In Writing

Getting every possible detail of your watercraft purchase down on paper is the best way to ensure absolute clarity on the situation. Before you purchase the vessel, it is essential to find out what necessary equipment is included in the sale, and what condition all of the various parts are in. This should all be spelled out clearly in a statement of sale. What this essentially means is that a boat bill of sale needs to be as detailed as possible including measurements, make and model, year of manufacture, and everything else.

Proper Insurance And Registration

You need to make sure you follow all of the applicable laws when it comes to purchasing a vessel. The bill of sale guarantees the legal transference of the boat’s formal title as well as possession from a vendor to the buyer. It acts as proof of the legal deal between the two parties. You need to make sure that you do your homework before buying the vessel, and make sure that every detail on the bill of sale is true and accurate in order to avoid unpleasant surprises later down the line. If you’re not sure what should be on the bill of sale, there are many templates available online. 

uscg bill of sale

Make Sure It Isn’t Abandoned Or Stolen

Something that is important to verify through a proper bill of sale of making sure that the vessel you are buying has not been listed as stolen or abandoned. You don’t want to get into a situation where you make a good-faith transaction only to have creditors or authorities knocking on your door to reclaim something that you shouldn’t have bought in the first place. The correct details on a real bill of sale can be a good indicator of authenticity.

If you would like to benefit from finding out much more about the benefits and details of a USCG bill of sale, then don’t hesitate to browse the National Documentation Portal where you will find everything that you could possibly need to know on the subject. Feel free to get in touch with any member of the experienced team and they will be happy to clarify and answer any questions that you might have. We look forward to being able to help.