Buying a Boat Out of State: Things to Remember Before Purchasing

When looking far and wide for your new boat, remember each state may have different laws regarding title and registration. Generally, all boats will be registered and require a sales document but some states don’t issue or require titles. Below I will list the requirements of each state but check your local guidelines because this may not be accurate. 

Once the sale is agreed upon and the bill of sale is drawn up,  you will have to pay for the boat. At a dealer this is more formal but paying a private person a large sum of money can be intimidating to some. Here are a couple tips. Generally, if the boat is far, you might see the boat in peron or have it inspected by a trusted source, and then leave a deposit if it’s a deal. There are many ways to do this. The deposit can be a payment by PayPal, Zelle, or any other common payment system. For the larger sum, I would suggest both parties head to the bank and have the bank issue a bank check. This way the seller can be assured the money is legitimate, as it is from the bank itself. The seller can also get cash at this time or deposit it anytime. 

Another option is just to get the bank check on your own or a money order. Cash is an option but many don’t like carrying around large amounts. Personal checks work when there is a high level of trust involved. Alternatively you could have a service escrow the payment for you or in some cases with a certain transaction a broker can handle it. 

Remember to get all the paperwork from the seller, sales documents, registration, title signed over and any other service records you may want. The trailer will have separate documents. Outboard engines are sold with the boat and are not titled. 

Before you do the deal, see about any equipment the seller might include. Often dock lines, ropes, bumpers and other accessories come with it. When it’s a fishing boat, be clear what is included and not included before it is signed. Having everything written down never hurts. 

Finally, you often tow the boat home or have someone do it for you. There are several people that can transport, be sure they are insured and have experience traveling out of state. 

Title and documents list. 

(This list was borrowed from Lyle at beginboating.com)

Alabama: No title is required for boats in the State of Alabama. If it is a used boat, a bill of sale and the last boat registration certificate is required

Alaska: New Alaska Statute 05.25.056 requires the owner of an undocumented boat that is subject to registration and that is more than 24 feet to apply for a certificate of title or “No Title Issued (NTI)” registration.

Due to the new titling requirement online renewal is not available for boats more than 24 feet - application must be made in-person.

Titling of an undocumented boat less than 24 feet in length is optional.

Arizona: No title is required. If the boat is coming into AZ from another state to be registered, the other states title is required to prove ownership at the time of registering.

Arkansas: No title required. This is a registration state.

California: Generally, every sail-powered vessel over eight feet in length and every motor-driven vessel (regardless of length) that is not documented by the U.S. Coast Guard which is used or on the waters of this state are subject to registration (California Certificate of Ownership (title)) by the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV).

Colorado: Colorado is a registration only state and does not issue boat titles. All boats must register.

Connecticut: As of January 1, 2016, all motorboats and all sailboats 19.5

feet in length or longer are required to be titled through the

Department of Motor Vehicles IF:

• They have a model year or construction date of 2017 or

later; and

• They are registered in Connecticut where Connecticut is

identified as the state of principal use; and

• They are NOT documented with the United States Coast

Guard or titled in another state

Delaware: Delaware is a NON TITLE state. If you register a boat in delaware you will not get a title, only a registration card.

Florida: All motorized vessels operating on Florida's public waterways must be titled and registered.

Georgia: The state of Georgia does not require boats to be titled. However, all boats and watercraft that are operated on public waterways in the state for more than 60 days must be properly registered with the Georgia Department of Natural Resources.

Hawaii: Hawaii does not issue boat titles. This is a registration state only.

Idaho: When any of the following vessels are acquired after December 31, 1999, the new owners are required to title them:

• Any vessel with a permanently attached mode of propulsion, model year 2000 or newer. Examples: model year 2000

inboard and inboard/outboard motorboats, sailboats, and personal watercraft (jet skis).

• Any non-exempt vessel, model year 2000 or newer, over 12' in length, regardless of the mode of propulsion. Example:

model year 2000 13' outboard.

• Any non-exempt vessel that is being financed.

VESSELS THAT MAY BE OPTIONALLY TITLED

All types of vessels listed in the “vessels that must be titled” category that were acquired prior to January 1, 2000 may

optionally be titled. These types of vessels (model year 1999 or older) may be optionally titled unless they are being financed, in

which case they must be titled. Once a vessel has been titled, every subsequent Idaho owner must also title it in his name.

Illinois: Illinois now removed the requirement of a certificate of title for watercraft under 22 feet in length. This change gives the new owner the option to only apply for registration. However, if the watercraft was titled by the seller(s), you must surrender the original properly endorsed watercraft certificate of title issued in the seller's name(s)

Indiana: All watercraft not exempt from registration must be titled.

Iowa: Boats with a lien and boats that are 17' and over in length (except canoes and kayaks) are required to be titled.

Kansas: All vessels powered by motor (gasoline, diesel, or electric), or sail, must be registered and numbered. The State of Kansas does not, however, title watercraft nor does it register or title motors.

Kentucky: A Title is a legal document, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle or vessel. When a vehicle or vessel is sold from one Kentucky resident or business to another in Kentucky, the title must be transferred to the new owner within 15 days. In the case of Boats, all parts of the boat (e.g. body, motor, etc.) are, together, one titled vessel.

Louisiana: You must register all motorized vessels/watercraft, including sailboats 12 feet or longer, used in Louisiana waters with LDWF. You must title a boat or outboard motor (25 HP and above) that is financed or currently titled in another state when you’re registering it in Louisiana, a homemade boat, or a boat that has an incorrect hull identification number.

Maine: Main does not issue title for boats. All boats must be registered.

Maryland: Maryland does not issue title for boats. All boats must be registered.

Massachusetts: All boats 14 feet or greater in length that are designed for use with a motor, or that use a motor at any time, must be titled.

Michigan: All watercraft 20 feet and over in length and all watercraft with a permanently affixed engine, regardless of length, must be titled.

Minnesota: Requires title and registration on boats.

Mississippi: Boat and outboard motor titling is available in Mississippi, but is not mandatory.

Missouri: The owner of a vessel (watercraft) or outboard motor must submit an application for title and registration within 60 days after the unit is purchased or brought into this state or be subject to title penalties.

Montana: Boat owners must obtain a certificate of ownership (title) and certificate of number (registration) and pay all fees to the County Treasurer in the county where the owner resides.

Nebraska: All boats manufactured after 1972 will require a title in Nebraska.

Nevada: All vessels that require registration must be titled also.

New Hampshire: Boats in New Hampshire are not titled.

New Jersey: In order to use New Jersey waterways, all boats over 12'

must be titled and registered

New Mexico: All motorized and sail-powered vessels 10 feet or longer in length require a title.

New York: New York requires title and registration.

North Carolina: Any vessel 14ft in length or greater or a personal watercraft (i.e. jet ski) is required to be titled.

North Dakota: No titles issued in North Dakota, However, Owners of any watercraft propelled by motors must register their vessels with the North Dakota Game and Fish Department.

Ohio: Titles are required for all boats 14 feet or greater, outboard motors 10HP or greater, and PWCs (ie. Jetski, Sea-Doo, etc.). For those boats that require a title, the title must be an Ohio title in order to get an Ohio registration.

Oklahoma: All boats, with a few exceptions, used, or capable of being used, as a means of transportation on the waters of this State, are required to be titled and registered annually.

Oregon: Boat title/registration are require in Oregon.

Pennsylvania: A title is required on all boats except for an outboard powered boat less than 14', or a boat with a model year before 1997.

Rhode Island: Boats require a Certificate of Title. Vessels 14' in length or less are not required to be titled.

South Carolina: South Carolina does require boats to be titled. You will also have to register your boat and motor.

South Dakota: Boats over 12 feet in length or motor boats of any length are required to be titled at the time of registration.

Tennessee: Tennessee law requires that all mechanically powered vessels (including federally documented recreational vessels) and all sailboats which are principally used in Tennessee must be registered. (Boats are not titled in Tennessee.)

Texas: A title printed in the seller's name is required to transfer ownership of a previously owned vessel and/or outboard motor titled in Texas.

Utah: Every watercraft (including canoes and personal watercrafts) powered by a motor or a sail operated in Utah waters must be registered, but they are only titled if they are 1985 and newer.

Vermont: Motorboats will require a title if they are 15 years old and newer and at least 16' in length.

Virginia: All motorboats used on the public waters of Virginia must be registered and titled.

Washington: To navigate, operate, employ, or moor your vessel in Washington, you must have a title from the Washington State Department of Licensing, a registration card, and registration decals.

West Virginia: All motorized vessels (including sailboats that have a motor) purchased in West Virginia by the current owner after July 1, 1989, must have a title except for those which are Coast Guard documented.

Wisconsin: The owner of a boat, 16 feet in length or greater, in Wisconsin, whether or not the boat is operated on the waters of this state, is required to hold a certificate of title.

Wyoming: ALL motorized boats (including those with trolling motors) must be titled AND registered with the Wyoming Game and Fish Department.