California registration question.

[bob1340]

I have an appointment to register my new boat this afternoon. It's a 1970 12' fiberglass Sears Gamefisher I just bought. I really don't like going to the DMV so I want to make sure I already have all the paperwork filled out ahead of time. I have a bill of sale and the application for vessel number. The boat was last tagged in 2009. I would also like to change the CF number to an old number from a boat I had back many years ago. Any help on what I may need would be apprciated. Thanks. Bob

 

[asm_]

Re: California registration question.

First of all, unless you are still paying registration for the the old CF number for all the years past, DMV probably won't let you have that number again.

Besides bill-of-sales and application for certification title, it's best to have the pink slip from the seller of the boat. You will be surprise how many people out there possess a boat that they do not own. Well, at least acknowledge by DMV. Should that ever happen, you will have a big mass on your hand, as DMV will require you to contact the last own registered owner to release their interest on the vessel, but due to privacy law, DMV won't tell you their contact info... You get the idea.

B

 

[bob1340]

Re: California registration question.

First of all, unless you are still paying registration for the the old CF number for all the years past, DMV probably won't let you have that number again. B

I was afraid of that!!

Besides bill-of-sales and application for certification title, it's best to have the pink slip from the seller of the boat. You will be surprise how many people out there possess a boat that they do not own. Well, at least acknowledge by DMV. Should that ever happen, you will have a big mass on your hand, as DMV will require you to contact the last own registered owner to release their interest on the vessel, but due to privacy law, DMV won't tell you their contact info... You get the idea. B

No pink slip on this old boat. I did a title search and it came to the guy I bought it from. It was registered last in '09. He has owned it since new in 1970!

Thanks.

 

[Reel Kahuna]

Re: California registration question.

If the seller is the legal owner then he could fill out a "paperless" title on the boat. BTW if you don't have a title on the trailer, then DMV will require you to have the VIN number verified by a LEO or DMV. Funny thing is that DMV doesn't require a boat's VIN to be verified .

 

[bob1340]

Re: California registration question.

If the seller is the legal owner then he could fill out a "paperless" title on the boat. BTW if you don't have a title on the trailer, then DMV will require you to have the VIN number verified by a LEO or DMV. Funny thing is that DMV doesn't require a boat's VIN to be verified .

All I needed was the bill of sale. I filled out one form to get a new title and paid them a small fortune and it's done. Dang 40 year old 12' Sears fiberglass boat that is full of holes cost $77.00 to get tagged!

There is a trailer that went with the sale, but my son is getting it tagged for his boat. I don't need no stinking trailer. The trailer has no title, no VIN, it's a homemade trailer with a permanent plate. If it was assigned a ID number on the chassis I have not found it. In California getting a title on a permanent plate trailer is a $13.00 extra cost option. No title required. We do have a bill of sale so he'll start there. I have talked with others who have got it done. We did cut off the damaged hitch and can claim the trailer was damaged by the previous owner and the ID # was lost. I just hope the permanent plate number comes up to a boat trailer that belonged to the guy who signed the bill of sale!!! If not we walk out and do a home made registration I guess.