Free Boat (Vessel) Bill of Sale Form | PDF | Word

Boat (Vessel) Bill of Sale Form

A boat (vessel) bill of sale form can be used during the transfer of ownership of a watercraft. It consolidates information regarding the sale or gift of a boat, such as the purchase price, buyer/seller specifics, and the vessel’s HIN (Hull Identification Number). The contract benefits both parties and may even be legally required, dependent upon which state the transaction is taking place.

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Last updated June 6th, 2024

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A boat (vessel) bill of sale form can be used during the transfer of ownership of a watercraft. It consolidates information regarding the sale or gift of a boat, such as the purchase price, buyer/seller specifics, and the vessel’s HIN (Hull Identification Number). The contract benefits both parties and may even be legally required, dependent upon which state the transaction is taking place.

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How to Sell a Boat (Vessel)

If you are looking to sell your boat, there are some steps you can take to increase your chances of a sale. Below is a guide that will help ease the process of selling your watercraft.

Step 1 – Preparing your Vessel for Sale

Before you present your boat to the public, you will want to ensure that the vessel is in tip-top shape. Start by emptying out any unnecessary clutter within the boat. If your boat contains a cabin, clean the inside top to bottom using household cleaning products and vacuum the floors. Next, you are going to want to clean the outside. Begin by washing the deck and going down to the hull to scrub off any grime caused by the water (a power washer could be used for the more stubborn build-up).

Examine the boat for defects such as scratches, rust, damaged parts, malfunctioning equipment, etc. Assess whether it is worth taking the time and money to repair the flaws to increase your chances of getting a higher price. Some defects may be easily repaired for a low price, while others may cut into your profit.

Step 2 – Collect the Vessel’s Paperwork

There are various documents that a seller should have on hand when getting ready to sell their boat. These documents would include:

  • Bill of Sale – Be prepared with 2 blank copies that can be filled out and signed on the date of the sale (it is recommended that both parties receive a copy for their records).
  • Title of the Vessel – This is the certificate of ownership one receives at the time of sale.
  • Registration – Unless your boat is exempt from registration, you should be prepared to present the new owner with a copy of the vessel’s most current registration card.
  • Proof of a Paid Loan – If the boat was financed, you are going to want to provide paperwork confirming that you have reimbursed the lender, e.g. lien release.
  • Trailer Documentation – If you plan on including the trailer you use to tow the vessel in the sale, you will want to gather the title and registration.
  • Receipts for Maintenance and Repairs – Compile any documentation regarding the improvements made to your boat.
  • Warranty – If the boat has a warranty attached to it, be sure to provide the supporting documents.

Step 3 – Figuring the Price

Now that you have thoroughly cleaned up your boat and have all the necessary paperwork, it is time to determine the selling price. There are several considerations you will have to make when adjusting the value of the vessel. First, you are going to have to give an honest evaluation of its condition. Is the watercraft in poor, fair, good, very good, or excellent condition? The better the condition, the better the price you could potentially receive. Next, scan the classified ad websites to get a feel for the market. Viewing ads of similar boats can help you assess your watercraft’s value. There are also websites online that provide pricing tools, the most popular being:

  • NADAguides.com – Here you can enter specific information pertaining to your vessel and their system will generate an estimated price.

Step 4 – Advertising

In today’s technological climate, the internet is considered the superior route for advertising an item for sale, and a used boat is no exception. Certain websites are specifically dedicated to the sale and purchase of watercrafts. A few of the more popular websites would include:

  • BoatTrader.com – One of the top websites to advertise your vessel. They do charge a fee to post an ad on their website, packages include:
    • Basic – For $59, you can post an ad containing 2 photos for a maximum of 2 weeks.
    • Enhanced – $149 to post an ad with 12 photos for 6 weeks.
    • Premium – $199 to post an ad with unlimited photos for 12 weeks.
  • Boats.com – Owned by the same company as the previously mentioned website, this site ranks high on Google and is a cheaper option to advertise your vessel. Plans include:
    • Basic – $30 to post an ad containing 2 photos for 2 weeks.
    • Enhanced – $85 to post an ad with 12 photos for 6 weeks.
    • Premium – $120 to post an ad with unlimited photos for 12 weeks.

You may also advertise your boat on more generic websites that aren’t strictly dedicated to selling boats. These would include:

  • Ebay.com – Allows you to create a listing under “Boats”. You have the option of setting a fixed price or initiating an auction style approach. Visitors will then bid on the vessel for the duration of the listing. Fees will vary depending upon several factors.
  • CraigsList.org – Is the most well-known classified ad website. It is a free option to advertise your boat to a local audience. Just visit the website and post under ‘for sale>boats>by owner‘.
  • Facebook.com – Create a post on your Facebook account announcing that you have a boat for sale (especially if you are friends with fellow boating enthusiasts). It is free and a good way to get the word out.

Step 5 – What to Include in your Ad

You will want to include as much vital information as possible concerning your boat. Most advertising websites will have fields where you can input the necessary information. The main areas you are going to want to cover are:

  • Title – This will be the post’s heading and what entices visitors to click on your ad. Be sure to provide the essential information pertaining to the vessel. You may incorporate:
    • Year
    • Make
    • Model
    • Brief Selling Point
  • Price – Enter the sales price you have decided upon when calculating the vessel’s value.
  • Location – Where is the boat currently located?
  • Description/Posting Details – This is a crucial portion of the ad that should be carefully considered. List as many details as possible regarding the vessel, such as:
    • Year of the Vessel
    • Color
    • Make/Manufacturer
    • Model Name/Number
    • Condition (poor, fair, good, very good, excellent)
    • Propulsion Type
    • Length & Width
    • Inboard or Outboard Engine
    • Hours Clocked on the Engine
    • Additional Features/Improvements
    • Amenities
    • Defects (it is better to be upfront about any mechanical or cosmetic issues with the vessel)
    • Any extra items included with the sale of the boat.
  • Seller Contact Information – To allow potential buyers to get in touch with you, you must provide the following information:
    • Name (you may refrain from using your last name if you wish)
    • Email Address
    • Phone Number (you may specify whether you prefer to call or text)
  • Photos – Maybe the most important aspect of your post will be the pictures. People want to see accurate photos of the vessel inside and out from different angles. Be sure to use a quality camera with good lighting to take crystal-clear photos of the watercraft.

Step 6 – Showing the Vessel

It is only a matter of time before you are contacted by an interested party wanting to view the boat in person. Agree on a time to meet the potential buyer for a showing. Make sure the boat is in pristine order and be prepared to sell that day. Once the interested party has arrived, give them a full tour of the vessel, highlighting all the qualities of the boat. The buyer may want to test drive the boat to ensure it is in working order. How this is handled is up to your discretion, and you may insist on accompanying them for the ride (they may also want a mechanic to look over the vessel for approval).

Step 7 – Negotiating the Sale

Once an individual has expressed interest in buying your boat, it will be time to sit down and discuss the terms and conditions of the sale. The first hurdle will be the sales price. A lot of times, a buyer will try to get a reduction on the original asking price to save money. This puts the ball in the seller’s court on whether or not they would like to accept, decline, or offer a counterproposal. Once both parties have agreed, you will want to determine what type of payment will be used for the sale. For the seller, cash and certified check are always the best options. If certified check, you may take it further and meet the buyer at their bank to guarantee that it will clear. After the buyer pays, the seller may hand over all the necessary documentation and present them with the keys to their new vessel.

Boat (Vessel) Bill of Sale Form

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