Are they reputable and is it legal

[JGra]

I have an old Jon boat, motor, and trailer that I have had for about 15 years. It was given to me way back when and I have never done anything with it. I pulled it out and am getting it ready to put in the water. My problem is I do not have any paperwork for this boat and am having no luck tracking down the guy I got it from. It seems its eaiser here in south carolina to get a stolen car registered than a small jon boat. I was refered to a titleing service where you sell them your boat on paper then they register it in there state then sell it back to you and transfer the new registation back to you. Has anyone every used this type of service and does it work. Is this just a scam. This seems like my last hope to get it leagal. Thanks

 

[solar7647]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

If the boat was registered before the DMV should be able to look up the information with the motors vin number. That is how it is done in ohio were i live. I cant imagine it is to differant there. II would just take the vin number down to the DMV and have them look for it in there system you might get lucky. Good luck.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Here in SC all of this goes through the DNR. The DMV does not get involved in the boating world here. The problem is that this boat was last registered in the state of knetucky in the middle 80's. I have called them but they cant find any records going back that far (pre computer), and without the old registation SC WILL not issue a new registation or title. This is nuts

 

[gss036]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Ask them if they have a lost title/abandonment program where they can register the boat in you name and if no one claims it in 3 years, it then becomes your property. That is how our state handles this type of issue.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Yea I tried that also. Here in SC once you fill out the forms I was told it takes 10-12 months untill they will title, register and let you use it. I might try the tiltle company. What have I got to loose. Fee is only $125.00. I have $ 0 dollars in the boat now. Its a nice jon boat with seats, foot controlled trolling mortor, 20 hp merc. Boat is a 1986 and motor is a 1968. Old stuff but in good condition. Wish me luck

 

[joed]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Don't they have a way to register a boat that was bought in a state that has no registation requiements?
Do you have a relative that lives in another state? They could do the same thing as the title company for you. Register it in their name and sell it to you for a $1.00.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

From everything I have read in most states you have to at least have the last registation card and a bill of sale. I have a bill of sale that I had gotten years ago when I got the boat. But they wont do anying for you unless you have a title or the old registation with the old owners name on it. I donk know how they are able to do it. has anyone every used these title companys before? If so which one.

 

[ronnieb09]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Here's how it works in VA:

http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/boating/registration/procedure.asp

If it was registered in another state, you would need a copy of the original registration and a bill of sale. I imagine if you call up the Kentucky department, they may be able to send a copy of the registration.

I'm not sure I'd trust a "titling company", seems shady.

 

[AZcamperguy]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Here, if you are filing for an "abandoned" title then you have to have the trailer bonded. After 3 years, if no one claims it, you are golden. You get to have your tags right away though. We don't title boats here so I don't know how that affects it.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

I just talked to one of these titling companys (http://www.its-titles.com). I also checked them out with the better business bureau and they have been a accredited member since 1997 and hold an A+ rating. They say they have done hundreds of these transactions for the state I live in. They say the whole process takes 7-10 days.What it boils dow to is you are selling them your boat on paper. They in turn register the boat under there company name in a non title state. They then sell the boat back to you with a valid bill of sale and a current registation for that state. You then take it to your local DNR and register and title the boat in your name. What have I got to loose. Boat sat for 13 years, have $ 0 dollars invested, and I cant do anything with it if I cant get it registeed. Sound like its worth a try.

 

[packman35]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Do you know anyone in NC? If so, do what the other guy suggested and sell it to him with a bill of sale. He can register it in NC with only a bill of sale. NCDNR then issues a clean title for it. He could then sell it back to you for $1 and you have a clean NC title so that you can the transfer title to SC.

That won't work for the trailer because NC is anal about needing a title for it (trailers handled by the DMV - don't get me started). But since SC doesn't require title or tags for the trailer that wouldn't be a problem for you.

 

[wca_tim]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

That won't work for the trailer because NC is anal about needing a title for it (trailers handled by the DMV - don't get me started). .

OMG talk about the understatement of the year... I'm buying a trailer because the one under my boat, after two years, is now "not able to be issued a title"... it's a long story, but the people at the dmv have been incredibly unhelpful...

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

...you are selling them your boat on paper...What have I got to loose...

Putting those two statements together would make me a little nervous. Technically, someone from the company could show up and demand your boat. You did "sell" it to them after all.

Far fetched probably but I'd want some kind of contract stating this is an administrative exercise only, you don't intend for them to take the boat anywhere, and they will sell it back to you again!

I have no idea if something like that is even enforceable but I'd want something for sure.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Yes it also made me nervous also. Thats when I went to the BBB site to check them out. They have a link on the BBB site right to there company page so I know it was the same company. There were no complaints against them and had a A+ rating. At this point the boat is of no use so it might be worth taking a chance.I wish I kew someone in NC. Are they a non title state? If there is anyone out there that wants to help a fellow new boater out give me a shout. SC does no do anything with the trailers (Thank God).

 

[roscoe]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

go for it, titling companies have been doing this for years.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

I have one more thing I am going to try and if that dont work I am going to give it a shot.

 

[Jeff-in-PA]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

I just talked to one of these titling companys (http://www.its-titles.com).

I have a few old Kawasaki triples ( two stroke three cylinder ) and some of my fellow motorcyclist enthusiasts on that forum have used both ITS and Staab to get titles for frames they have purchased.

Both companies are "above board" and honest in their dealings.

Jeff

 

[scoutabout]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

I have a few old Kawasaki triples ( two stroke three cylinder ) and some of my fellow motorcyclist enthusiasts on that forum have used both ITS and Staab to get titles for frames they have purchased.

Both companies are "above board" and honest in their dealings.

Jeff

It's good to hear of some first hand experiences with these kinds of outfits.

The no-title states present their own issues. I purchased the Scout in NC and trailered it the thousand miles home and they had a real hard time at the border back at on the Canadian side with the concept of a "title optional" state for boats. None of their procedures for importing a boat from the States seemed to cover the issue.

Although unnecessary, I'm glad I had stopped on the US side on the way out and got the good folks there to stamp every piece of paper I had with that impressive Homeland Security Seal. When I got to the Canadian side I just kept pushing paper after paper at them with the big red seal embossed over everything til the guy finally shrugged and let me in. I guess he figured if it was kosher with US officials, it was ok with him.

Actually the US agent thought I was nuts asking for so many things to be stamped because legally I didn't need to even inform them I was taking it out of the country.

 

[bekosh]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Although unnecessary, I'm glad I had stopped on the US side on the way out and got the good folks there to stamp every piece of paper I had with that impressive Homeland Security Seal. When I got to the Canadian side I just kept pushing paper after paper at them with the big red seal embossed over everything til the guy finally shrugged and let me in. I guess he figured if it was kosher with US officials, it was ok with him.

Actually the US agent thought I was nuts asking for so many things to be stamped because legally I didn't need to even inform them I was taking it out of the country.

The classic way to deal with bureaucrats. Bury them in paper work till they get sick of dealing with you.

 

[JGra]

Re: Are they reputable and is it legal

Whell, I am going to try the title service to get this done. I have had no luck with the DNR here in South Carolina. I am about sick and tired of talking to people who treat and talk you like a piece of crap. I wonder if these people know they work for the people. I am sure glad my tax dollars keep them employed. If you every try to get a boat registered in SC and you dont have every piece of paper in hand with all your T's crossed and I's dotted you are in for trouble. I will update on the title service soon.