Buying a Used Boat? Protect Yourself Before You Pay

A used boat can be a great deal, until you find out the seller still owes money on it, or the paperwork doesn't match the boat. A few simple checks before you hand over payment can save you months of headaches.

We've spent 18 years untangling boat paperwork. Here's what we tell every buyer.

• Hidden liens. If the seller still has a loan on the boat, the lender may have a claim on it even after you've paid. For Coast Guard documented boats, recorded mortgages show up on the vessel's Abstract of Title, which most buyers never think to check.
• Documented or state-titled? Some boats are titled by the state. Others are documented with the U.S. Coast Guard and have no state title at all. The paperwork for each is completely different. 
• Missing or messy titles. A title signed in the wrong place, a name that doesn't match, or a title that's simply "lost" are all red flags.
• The motor and trailer are separate. In Missouri, outboard motors and boat trailers have their own titles. Make sure you get paperwork for all three.
• Out-of-state sellers. Every state does things a little differently, and paperwork from another state has to be converted correctly here. 

1. Ask the seller whether the boat is Coast Guard documented or state titled.
2. Match the hull identification number (HIN) on the boat to the paperwork. For documented boats, also check for the official number installed on an interior wall of the boat. If it is missing, we can make one for you.
3. For a documented boat, an Abstract of Title will provide all recorded and satisfied mortgages or liens.
4. For a titled boat, make sure the title is in the seller's name and any lienholder provides a lien release.
5. Get titles for the outboard motor and trailer, if applicable, from the seller.
6. Get a bill of sale that lists the purchase price, date, and full description of the boat, motor and trailer. This will be required if purchased from a state that doesn't title motors or trailers. 
7. Don't pay in full until the paperwork checks out.

• State-titled boats and outboard motors: You have 60 days from the date of purchase to title and register with the Missouri Department of Revenue. After that, late penalties apply.
• Coast Guard documented boats: Missouri residents have 30 days and out-of-state residents have 60 days to register the boat with the state after transferring the Coast Guard documentation into your name. 
• Sales tax is due on motors, trailers and boats. For documented boats, an lieu-of-tax is imposed based on a sliding scale of the purchase price of the boat. Whereas, motors and titles are taxed according to state and county resident tax rate.
• You'll also need a paid personal property tax receipt from the previous year (or statement of non-assessment) from your county.

We handle the paperwork so you can get on the water.

• Abstract of Title searches to check for liens before you buy
• Transferring Coast Guard documentation into your name
• Missouri registration of your Coast Guard documented vessel
• Recording a preferred ship mortgage if you're financing
• Missouri titling for boats, outboard motors and trailers
• Switching a boat from a title to Coast Guard documentation
• Manufacture Coast Guard Official Number plaque (made in-house)

Every purchase is different, so we'll give you a flat quote before we start. No surprises.

We are a private documentation service, not the U.S. Coast Guard or the Missouri Department of Revenue. You're welcome to file with them directly, but we make every effort to ensure it's done right the first time.