How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

[squale]

If I buy a boat out of state, how long does it take to register the boat in NJ? Do I just go to DMV and fill out the registration and hand in the out of state title and they issue me a new NJ title along with the numbers that go on the boat?<br /><br />or do I have to wait for the numbers to come in the mail? I assume I can't use the boat in any NJ lakes until I get NJ numbers to put on the boat?<br /><br />Does anybody know how much registration is for a small 4 person jet boat? how about insurance?<br /><br />Thanks

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

Unsure about NJ, but in CA I was handed the Registration the same day.<br /><br />You can get online quotes as well, Boat US has great rates.

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

new, It should not take too long to get title in NJ. I expect you can do in one short visit. They will give your the number sequence, but you will need to buy the numbers yourself, and stick them on.<br /><br />Registration for my 16' boat was $28. Liability insurance is very cheap, on the order of $50, for a small boat. Check with your insurance company. Allstate will not insure boats older than 10 years or so, without a survey.

 

[squale]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

and I assume if you buy a boat out of state, say the boat is from NY, and you register it in NJ, that you can't use the pre-existing numbers already on the boat? you would have to peel those numbers off and buy new numbers you are saying?

 

[CATransplant]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

Yup. Boat registration numbers are unique by state. In Minnesota, they start with MN. At one time, the last two letters indicated the county where the boat was registered, but that seems to have gone by the wayside. The last three boats retained their original numbers, even though they came from counties far away from mine.<br /><br />To get the old numbers off, if they're the vinyl stick-on kind, use a hot air gun to heat them up, then peel 'em off with a plastic scraper. You can finish up with some mineral spirits to remove the goo.<br /><br />If you want a nice neat job, order a set of pre-printed reg numbers as a single vinyl unit. They go on nice, and will be in line. If you stick on the individual letters and numbers, I can guarantee that they won't quite line up. Ugly.<br /><br />For my boat, I don't care. You may want yours to look nice. Any sign shop can do this for you, and you should be able to get them made in less than 24 hours.

 

[squale]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

I am sure the numbers have to be some standard size and font, color, etc. right?

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

3" are the most common (and min size), color has to be contrasting to the background of the boat so you can read them.

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

http://www.state.nj.us/mvc/cit_title/v_title_boats.html

 

[squale]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

Thanks everybody, that helps alot.<br /><br />It seems that if I buy a used boat out of state, I need the seller to assign the title of the boat to me, and I ALSO need the seller to give me his/her registration card for the boat so I can give it to NJ DMV?

 

[Chris1956]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

New, If you have the title, I don't think you need the registration card. It doesn't hurt to have it though. If the boat does not have a title (some states don't require one) you will definitely need the registration. You also need a written bill of sale with the price you paid. NJDMV will compare the price on the bill of sale to the Bluebook price. If they differ greatly, NJDMV may charge you sales tax on the bluebook value vs the bill of sale value.

 

[squale]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

what would make up a Bill Of Sale?

 

[BrianS.]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

The person selling it to you giving you a piece of paper with his name/info and your name on it as the buyer with the sale amount.

 

[CATransplant]

Re: How long does it take to register a boat in NJ?

You could drop by your DMV office. They will have a pre-printed form for a Bill of Sale. It will have all the spaces for the information they want you to have. That's the easiest. <br /><br />The problem is that if you don't get all the info right, or leave something off, you may have to get the previous owner to fill out another form to correct the error.<br /><br />Your best bet of all is to try to get the guy to go with you to the DMV when you transfer the title. I know that's a PITA, but it can solve all problems, since anything that has to be altered will require the previous owner's signature. Offer to buy him lunch or something.