Is it possible to find...

[MAXXIE]

Is it possible to locate a previous owner of a boat using the the numbers on the front of the hull? The registration numbers like for example: PA-246SU. I've been eye balling this boat for some time now, it's parked in a lot of an auction house type of place. I figured it would go to auction at the next event. I was driving by on Saturday & noticed a beat up for sale sign in it. I checked it out & I want it, it's really in very good shape for the year, 1985 I'm guessing from the color of the interior. It looks like it has some engine issues, but it is worth it to me at this point. Anyway, it was closed on Saturday when I stopped so I'm going to ask for info on it today. I really don't think I'll get anywhere with these guy's so that's why I'm asking this question here. It does have a 2010 PA sticker on it, so I'm guessing it was used at some point. Check back later & I'll try to post pic.'s & more info. Thank You for any assistance. MAXX

 

[scipper77]

Re: Is it possible to find...

I'm pretty sure that is not public information. If you worked for the DMV you could look it up. I'm not sure if the databases that are used for law enforcement hold that type of info.

Anything is possible but I have know idea how to get that info without calling in a "favor".

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Is it possible to find...

Ya, I figured it was going to be tough. I just drove by the place & don't look like anyone is there. I guess I'll leave a note with my phone # on the door & see what happens.

 

[woosterken]

Re: Is it possible to find...

Max,
i dont know about PA , but here in ohio, we can get a boat title search from the dept. of watercraft/odnr.
i did its only a couple bucks.and it listed every owner and address from the original dealer to the last person i got it from.

woosterken

 

[jeeperman]

Re: Is it possible to find...

Max,
i dont know about PA , but here in ohio, we can get a boat title search from the dept. of watercraft/odnr.
i did its only a couple bucks.and it listed every owner and address from the original dealer to the last person i got it from.

woosterken

Same in Florida.
Takes a couple of weeks via snail mail.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Is it possible to find...

you might also try some of the public record search services, if PA won't give it up.

 

[Gary H NC]

Re: Is it possible to find...

I bought an old boat once with no title.

I called the NC Dept of wild life resources that handles boat registration and they told who it was last registered to.No problem!

I'm sure every state is different but worth a try..

 

[mfgniagara]

Re: Is it possible to find...

PA doesn't use the DMV to register boats, its all handled by the Fish and Boat Commission.
Most likely the boat never had a title, as PA didn't title boats till later years.
The bow numbers may or may not be traceable if it's not been registered in many years. I bought a 1989 boat a few years ago, it hadn't been registered since 1992 and the paper trail was dead. Neither PA, nor any surrounding states had any record of the boat. Since there was no title, and the registration had lapsed by so many years, it was no longer on the books.
I ended up having to get a new title and a new registration number.

I would go to your local Fish and Game office with the numbers off the boat, and tell them that your looking at buying the boat and just wanted to be sure all was clear with that boat. The worst they can tell you is your not privileged to that information.

You also want to have the HIN number off the back of the hull, it should be on the right rear top corner of the transom. That will do more in finding the owner in most cases than the Registration number in that it was used to get those reg. numbers.

Living in NJ, I've run into many boats with lapsed registration cards for sale from PA, NJ won't accept that as proof of ownership. I can't count how many times I've had NJ run the boat's registration numbers and come back and tell me that they don't match the HIN number on the stern. I think it's a matter of PA Fish and Boat Commission not being part of the DMV system most other states use. Every time I went through this, the HIN came back to the dealer that sold the boat, as if it was never sold or registered.
It seems that the PA Fish And Boat Comm. registrations don't show up on an NCIC check for some reason.

 

[MAXXIE]

Re: Is it possible to find...

Well, somewhat of an update. I'll post another thread asking for advice on this, but I spoke with a Latino guy that did not speak much English today. He was parked outside the lot in a truck. I walked over & asked if he knew if anyone was ever going to be around at this place because I was interested in the boat. I think he said it was his boat, but I needed to talk to "butch" the guy that owns the place about it. I'm guessing it was a debt payment kind of deal, he wasn't pissed off or anything like that. He said it was a 4 cylinder penta motor (?? I'll get more info) I could not understand what he was saying. I think I should be OK with getting info from here, I don't think I'll need to track anyone down at this point. It's going to be a "leap of faith" at this point. Everything looks perfect for a 1985/86, floor is solid as a rock (not a cover over), & stock, it doesn't even have scum rings around the hull. I don't think this was kept in the water for any length of time. Anyway, I'll be rebuilding the motor for sure & hope that's it. I'll be posting some questions in the motor section.