Question about Boater's Registration process?

[85Sunbird]

I just purchased a used jet ski from a guy in SC and I'm in NC. Well....he was supposed to mail me my paperwork 2 weeks ago and I haven't received any of it. He called me today and told me he sent it 2 weeks ago. I'm assumng it's lost. I would like to use this thing alittle before the summer ends but how can I without the proper documentations. Can he issue me a bill od sale until he get the duplicate title sent to him and I be ok if I were to get stopped by the Coast guard?

Thanks,
Jason

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Question about Boater's Registration process?

1) NEVER take ownership of a vehicle that requires registration unless you have the title. For all you know the rig was stolen and the seller never had proper registration. Hate to sound like a pessimist but it is a fact of life learned the hard way by many folks. 2) Since documents of that importance were sent without proof, the ball remains in the seller's court. If I were you, I'd be in contact with the SC department of natural resources or whatever agency handles registrations to see if the current registration numbers match with the sellers name. If not, you could have a stolen (or misappropriated) vehicle.

 

[danpemby]

Re: Question about Boater's Registration process?

According to Missouri law, A BOS is not a replacement for a title. The only circumstance that it is accetable is when titling a motor from a state that did not require titles for motors. Then it must accompany a BOS and and a affidavite claiming the original state did not require titling. I just went through this. The original owner must apply for a lost title and then supply you with that.

Again this is Missouri and the exact laws may be different in SC but I would think they would be close.

I agree with Silvertip that you should never take ownership without the correct paperwork.

Your State DMV or Marine water patrol website should offer some insite on titling watercraft.