Lost title

[dl_sledding]

Hi all,

First thread here... Been viewing for quite a while, anticipating my own purchase, and have learned a lot reading these forums. Lots of knowledge available here!

Anyway, just purchased an early '70s Weeres Ambassador 24' pontoon, in quite rough condition, with a 70 HP Chrysler I/O and a fold-down style trailer, for a rebuild project. Going to get it on Saturday morning, and I anticipate it'll be a chore to get it home. I'll post pics of that ordeal when it's over.

The problem is that the lady I am purchasing it from does not have the title anymore. It was last registered in 2007. I looked a little bit, but could not find the HIN in the tall grass and junk around the backside of the boat. I am going to get her to sign a bill of sale so that I can apply for a lost title, but I figured having a HIN or a serial number on the bill of sale would just make it more "authentic" and acceptable to the state's game and fish department.

Now, I have been doing a little research, and have found out that HINs weren't mandatory until 1972. So, my question is whether anyone knows when Weeres started using HINs, or if there's some other kind of ID number somewhere on the boat.

Thanks!

 

[sschefer]

Re: Lost title

If it was regd in 07 it would have had a HIN and most likely it was registered as Home Built. That was the standard practice. The HIN may have never been applied or may have just been scratch on one of the toons. You can be sure that it does have HIN assigned and that the owners name is on the title. The best way to deal with this is to have the owner apply for a duplicate title and then do the proper paper work.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Lost title

It depends a lot on the state, and before you put down one thin dime call the state and find out or you can end up with a new yard decoration. and I kid you not. If you don't you may end up with nothing.

 

[fishrdan]

Re: Lost title

The best way to deal with this is to have the owner apply for a duplicate title and then do the proper paper work.

That's the only way I would make the deal.

Hopefully, you can go down to the place that takes care of boat registration (DOW, DFG) with the lady and have them process a duplicate title and sign it over at the same time, I did this once on a truck. If the title of the boat is lost, I would be concerned about the trailer too,,, and the outboard if outboards are titled in your state.

 

[lmuss53]

Re: Lost title

I agree with the others, the current owner must get the paperwork together before you buy the boat. Most "on line" DMV places can search out everything you need with the registration numbers off the hull.

 

[Pesimist]

Re: Lost title

Neither Alabama nor Georgia issue titles for boats. A bill of sale is all that's needed, and the bill of sale doesn't require a notary stamp either. Might be the same in your state.

 

[emoney]

Re: Lost title

I'd imagine if the boat has been registered at one point, all you need is that owner and the DMV. Every state is different, but if you were in FLorida, you wouldn't be getting a title, which is why there are so many "no title" boats for sale and so many of them end up at the dump. Things have changed post 9/11 and for good reasons.

Seems odd that a person has a boat and doesn't know where the title is and isn't offering to go and get that fixed. Any owner can walk into a DMV office with nothing but an ID and walk out with a title for not very much money. Let me guess, she "just doesn't want to mess with it"?

 

[Bamaman1]

Re: Lost title

God may be telling you to walk away from this deal.

Such a boat could be a money pit with that engine combination. Some older boats are ready for a grinder with a cutoff wheel and the recycling yard.

 

[dl_sledding]

Re: Lost title

Well, it turns out that ND is another state that doesn't issue titles for watercraft. A good friend that has owned *lots* of boats filled me in... All I need to do is bring the HIN (which I found - turns out it's a 1974 model year) and/or the existing reg number to the local Game and Fish Department office and register it... If it hasn't been reported stolen, it's a done deal. Also, I have a signed bill of sale from the seller, which helps.

So, I bought it. $175.00 purchase price give me lots of budgetary space for upgrades and repairs. The decking is in absolutely perfect condition, and the motor has good compression, great spark, and absolutely clean carbs. So, that should be good... I was a little worried about the Chrysler brand, and have been doing lots of reading up on it, and while parts can be difficult to get, the general consensus is that they are pretty good outboards. I don't plan on breaking ay speed records with it, and just want it for tooling around on our lake with the family, so it should be a good purchase for that use.

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Lost title

Very very glad it worked out.

 

[Chip Chester]

Re: Lost title

It would be worthwhile for the moderators to gather all the "no title" resolution procedures by state and put them in an FAQ on this site... moving things from anecdotes to first-person experiences.

Chip

 

[dl_sledding]

Re: Lost title

Chip: Excellent idea. I have searched all around the net for this information, and it is very difficult, if not impossible, to find. If the mods decided to do this, it would be a first on the web.

 

[treker]

Re: Lost title

Post a picture if you can, even though it's in rough shape. If it floats and starts you can beat 175.00

 

[dl_sledding]

Re: Lost title

Pics are here:
http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=578807