Claiming abandoned boat

Joined
Jul 12, 2006
Messages
3
I found a small aluminum johnboat the other day. The boat is half full of water with weeds growing out of it. The registration expired 7 years ago. It has vessel numbers on it. This boat would make a perfect pond hopper to throw in the back of the truck. Someone obviously set it free. What would you do?
 

tashasdaddy

Honorary Moderator Emeritus
Joined
Nov 11, 2005
Messages
51,019
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

to get totally clear title get the reg. #. and go to the taxcollector or who ever. and find out who owned it . or take it and register it homemade.
 

arthat

Seaman
Joined
Oct 23, 2006
Messages
62
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

Hi Slimecoat,

I suggest contacting your local Police Dept. and ask their advice as laws differ state - state. Your local PD should be able to direct you in the correct direction. You do not want a headache from the law enforcement community should the owner see you with his/her boat and file a complaint.

I hope this helps

Successful Boating,

Art
 

Silvertip

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Sep 22, 2003
Messages
28,771
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

The police department or the state department responsible for registration may require you to run an ad in your local paper for a specif time period. That is of course, if they can't tell you who the owner was from the hull/registration numbers. Once you've jumped through their hoops, it should be no problem to register it.
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

Bond-o said:
That's what I've always know as a "Pond Boat"........

Many little ponds have a boat laying around the banks,.. Left by Somebody who likes to fish there,.. But doesn't want to carry the boat every time,....
The Reason that "Pond Boats" are in such Terrible condition is,.........
If they were Nice Boats,....... Somebody would Steal it......

Trust Me,.............

That boat Belongs to Somebody.......................

That's Still My take on it.........

The registration expired 7 years ago.

That means it's Traceable,.....

Find the "Owner",+ Ask him if it's Available.....
 

BLLDOGG

Seaman
Joined
Nov 13, 2006
Messages
70
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

Find the owner. I recently finished going through the process of buying a boat without the title. my situation was pretty simple because the owner died. I just went through a title company and filed for storage lein. I would recommend finding a company like that. could really really save you greif
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

What if the boat is stolen? Then, if you have it in your posession, you are a suspect as being the thief. Posession of stolen property is a crime anyway, whether you did the actual stealing or not. Better run the registration numbers before you touch it. Somebody out there legally owns it.
 

deejaycee_2000

Captain
Joined
Mar 28, 2006
Messages
3,447
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

get rid of all registration and serial plates, paint it another colour ... it is your for the taking ......
 

F_R

Supreme Mariner
Joined
Jul 7, 2006
Messages
28,226
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

Of course keep looking over your shoulder and sleep well. heh.
 

RubberFrog

Rear Admiral
Joined
Apr 9, 2005
Messages
4,268
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

deejaycee_2000 said:
get rid of all registration and serial plates, paint it another colour ... it is your for the taking ......

That's how the thieves do it....
 

Bondo

Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Apr 17, 2002
Messages
71,082
Re: Claiming abandoned boat

Playing Pirate,.......

Could get you a stay in the Crowbar Hotel..........
 
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