Just need to know.....

[Lenny5000]

My g/f brought me a 10ft Jon Boat from her uncle as a surprise for me. The boat has no title and I can't find it's HIN on the back side either. Talked to her uncle said that he doesn't have the title and brought it without the title also because the previous owner lost it and has passed away since then. I live in Florida and the boat does have old FL registration letters/numbers on the sides.

Just wondering if I have a chance to get a title for this boat or am I going to just have to row my way around? Just want to get some input before I go the the DMV.



Thanks

 

[oops!]

Re: Just need to know.....

hi lenny......welcome to i boats !

this place is really good for everything boating.

we have quite a few members from the florida area and they are quite framilliar wtih the state laws......i do know that getting the title will be tough....you might be able to register it as a u built....

our other members can give you specific answers

 

[Lenny5000]

Re: Just need to know.....

Thank you for the welcome. The reason I want to get it registered is to be able to put a motor on it.

"All vessels operating with mechanical propulsion devices (such as gas or electric outboards) are required to be registered. Vessels used solely as a ship's lifeboat and vessels owned by the United States Government are not required to be registered. You must have a Florida Certificate of Registration and validation decal to legally operate a vessel on public waters in Florida."

http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/statelaws/Florida.html

 

[fixb52s]

Re: Just need to know.....

I also have a 10' jon in Florida with no title. I plan on heading over to DMV with my story that I had the boat for years with no title (not required where I came from) and will see what I can do to get one. I use it on private property with a trolling motor so I have not bothered to get it titled yet, but someday I want to take it up the Alafia. Yes, Florida considers a 12V trolling motor "powered" so a reg. number is required. Kind of stupid, but what can you do.​

 

[cbavier]

Re: Just need to know.....

Welcome to I boats.
This is the place for answers and opinons.

Although I'm not from Fla. Why can't you just apply at the DMV for a lost title. If the boat has been previously registered. They can trace the title, if it ever was titled through the registration numbers on the side of the boat. It
also will help for you to supply them with the State sticker number and expiration date of the sticker. This will take some time but it's not impossible. It probably happens more often than you think. You just tell them you lost the title, or whatever. Explaining the situation truthfully will get you a long ways. In the meantime' however you will not be able to use the boat with any kind of motor on it being Electric or Gas until the boat is properly registered. The only problem you may run into is proof of ownership without a receipt.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just need to know.....

OK, guys Florida makes us become sort of criminals to register boats like this, but works. you have to register it as home made. here is the form.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/87002.pdf

you have to say you built it, and used scrap material from another project, or you will have to produce the receipts where you bought the material, that shows the taxes were paid for the material.

i have been lobbying for years to have this law changed, especially when it comes to barn/field finds, and antique boats.

yes in the eyes of the law, i am a criminal, atleast 15 times.

 

[Lenny5000]

Re: Just need to know.....

OK, guys Florida makes us become sort of criminals to register boats like this, but works. you have to register it as home made. here is the form.

http://www.flhsmv.gov/dmv/forms/BTR/87002.pdf

you have to say you built it, and used scrap material from another project, or you will have to produce the receipts where you bought the material, that shows the taxes were paid for the material.

i have been lobbying for years to have this law changed, especially when it comes to barn/field finds, and antique boats.

yes in the eyes of the law, i am a criminal, atleast 15 times.

Is there anything else you think that they might ask for and how long did it take for them to produce a title. I've heard that if you try to register under homemade, FWC( Florida Wildlife Commission) has to come to take a look at it. You can kinda see the old sears logo that had been peeled off. Might throw a red flag? Also, would making some kind of bill of sale help out in situation? Wow, this forum is awesome. I hope I can get this worked out so I can hit the water!

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just need to know.....

you can get title right then if you pay extra, or they mail it 4-10 days. you get registration right there. no bill of sale, remember you built it. volunteer no info. you used scrap material from another project. fill out the forms and just say i want to apply for title and registration.

 

[Lenny5000]

Re: Just need to know.....

Has FWC come out take a look at your boat?

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: Just need to know.....

your boat is 10 feet, they do not have to look at it. only above 16 feet. i always register my 16 footer as 15' 10 inches.

 

[Lenny5000]

Re: Just need to know.....

I'll be heading to the DMV next week and I'll give it a shot. I'll keep you guys posted.

 

[Lenny5000]

Re: Just need to know.....

Update:

I did just like tashasdaddy told me and had no problems. I was handed my temp title and registration, so I'm in business.


Here are some pics of the boat.

Any tips on replacing the transom?? It's looking pretty rough.

 

[tmcalavy]

Re: Just need to know.....

Yeah, rip the old out and replace with some new ply...same thickness, just put some epoxy resin or several coats of oil-based paint on it to waterproof it. That little scooter would really go with a 7.5 or 10 hp OMC on the transom...late 50's, early 60's models are my favs.

 

[Shizzy]

Re: Just need to know.....

your lady sounds like a keeper!!

Nice little boat.

 

[UnregisteredUser]

Re: Just need to know.....

First, I am glad you got your title with no issues. I find it hard to believe that FL makes it so difficult you would have to lie about it. But, each state is different.

I ran into a little problem on a Hydrodyne that was given to me without a title for it or the trailer. In MO we have our own hoops to jump through but, it was not nearly as hard. I had to take the trailer to the Highway Patrol to get it's title, and the boat to the Water Patrol. Both entities had me fill out paperwork to file with the state but, at least there was no fraud involved.