Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U.S.

[rt_hawley]

I came across an old thread and some of the comments have got me really worried. At the risk of starting an old conversation over again (and if so, admin please advise), here's my "worry".
I live in Manitoba, Canada and I'm going to purchase a 2006 pontoon from a guy in Texas. I'm taking a trailer down with me, so there shouldn't be any issues at the Canadian border on the return trip, at least as far as the trailer is concerned, but what I'm worried about is the boat. I've sent the current owner an email asking him to confirm that he has a title for the boat. Canada Border services tell me I MUST have a title for the boat in order to get it back in to Canada. Apparently its the only way they can tell that its not a stolen boat that I'm trying to bring back into Canada. I haven't heard anything back yet from the seller so now of course, I start to worry about "what if's".

If anyone is from the state of Texas and could give me some advice as to what to do to get a title for the boat if the current owner doesn't have it, I would really appreciate the input!

I'm confused about the definition of these terms as well. Can anyone set me straight on what exactly the difference is between a boat ownership, the title, etc.

Sorry if I'm beating a dead horse, but I've been wanting a pontoon for a long time and it looks like I've finally found the perfect boat. I hate to think that the deal might be kiboshed over paperwork.

Thanks in advance.

Rob

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Have you paid for this pontoon yet? (I hope not)

Have you looked here for answers TPWD in Texas http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/boat/registration_and_titles/

If there's a motor involved, then in TX there's a title for the outboard too.

Read this: http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/boat/registration_and_titles/#faq10


I'd also be concerned about a lien on it, you need to VIN, make, year, owner's name and you might be able to ask TPWD to find out if there's a lien on it.

 

[rt_hawley]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Have you paid for this pontoon yet? (I hope not)

Have you looked here for answers TPWD in Texas http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/faq/fishboat/boat/registration_and_titles/

Haven't paid for the boat yet...sent the fee to the marine surveyor though. Maybe the surveyor can lend a hand...and thanks for the link. I'll check it out right away.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

I'm confused about the definition of these terms as well. Can anyone set me straight on what exactly the difference is between a boat ownership, the title, etc.

When dealing with a Titled property, whoever's name is on the Title is the Owner.
Technically it is a CERTIFICATE OF TITLE of Ownership.

A Bill of Sale is an acknowledgement of transfer of ownership when there is no Title Involved.
It is a statement that he acknowledges that you are now the owner. It is not a Proof of Ownership!
He can give you a Bill of Sale for stolen goods. This is why Titles exist!

A Registration is what the goverment uses to officially identify a vehicle.
This would be the Bow Numbers in the case of a Boat.

When you cross back into Canada you will need a Title with YOUR name on it, NOT his name.
To buy the boat, go with him to his local Title Office, He needs to sign the Title over to you IN THE PRESENCE of a Notary.
When the State accepts the Title for transfer, this is when he gets his money, NOT Before!
They will then issue you a Title for the Boat in Your name.
You will likely need to re-Title it in Canada when you get there.

He can not just sign it and give it to you and have you take it to Canada to complete the transfer.
How would they know you did not steal the Boat and the Title and signed it yourself?

 

[rockyrude]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

How much time has gone by since you e-mailed the owner? There seems to be general laziness amongst people selling stuff these days. If its only been a day or two they may be busy, if longer might be a worry.

 

[vincechig1975]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

maybe you could try frisco boater, he had an issue similar to this and i remember seeing his youtube about titling trailers and boats as well, including some really interesting specifics for the state of texas.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Yep, if there is not title, walk away.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Don't walk, RUN!

 

[rt_hawley]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Thanks VERY much for the help folks! I guess I was getting wrapped up over the term "title". Seeing "Title of Ownership" helped to clear the muddy waters. Guess it's just a matter of terms. It's only been a couple of days since I emailed the current owner so perhaps its simply a matter of him being busy, but good advice all round. If no title in his possession, it will defiinitely be a deal breaker. I'd be sincerely disappointed since this boat has everything I've been looking for in a toon for the past two years, but better to not purchase it than to buy it and be denied entry with it back into Canada. The boat is displaying hull registration numbers starting with TX, so that shouldn't be an issue. I wasn't aware of the need to go with the seller to the registry office to change the title over, so again, thanks very much for the advice. Hopefully thing will turn out well. Being a noob in these matters sucks, but better to be educated than to learn an expensive lesson. I'll let you know how things turn out. Thanks again!!!

 

[ricohman]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

The documents need to be at the border 24 hrs before you arrive with the boat. My buddy went through this 2 summers ago and ended up going back to the border as he wasn't willing to wait around.

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Please give the Texas Park and Wildlife a call before you do anything. If you can find the number to the one in Sherman Texas, they re the nicest. Is this a very old toon?

 

[lncoop]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Rt, don't get ahead of yourself by worrying about "what ifs", and be ware of any very specific advice as each state has different transfer of ownership procedures. Friscoboater is definitely the most in the know on this one since he's a Lone Star Stater, but just relax and don't assume the seller doesn't have legit paperwork just because he's not responding promptly. Just take a deep breath and be sure to dot every i and cross every t as per the instructions you receive from someone qualified to provide them. Good luck.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

I"m an ex-TX......and I have purchased a boat/trailer/motor in TX and never had to have the seller with me to transfer the titles, they just signed the back of the paperwork, gave me a hand written bill of sale and I went down to TPWD and got it switched over to my name.

 

[MWG2600]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Google Texas Park and Wildlife ownership inquiry, Punch in the tx numbers on the boat and they will give you the Titled owners info.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Google Texas Park and Wildlife ownership inquiry, Punch in the tx numbers on the boat and they will give you the Titled owners info.

Here it is...it might take a second or two to load then you need to make sure you have the correct browser before clicking the link at the top https://apps.tpwd.state.tx.us/tora/jump.jsf

 

[Friscoboater]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Lizard has it right. Check up on it first.

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

biggest concern that I would have is is there any liens on the titles, if there is any then the current owner has to deal with that before you can even get involved in it. It's a long drive from up North to TX and if he doesn't have "clear titles" you'll be camping down there for days or weeks while he gets that straight. (not saying that's the case but I would check with TPWD to make sure there's no liens on it before making that trip)

Here's what I would do:
Have all the boat information that you can get, TX ID for the pontoon, Owner's full name, serial number of the boat, etc... then make the call to TPWD and explain to them that you're in the process of purchasing the pontoon from Mr. **#@&* and before driving 1500 miles to pick it up you want to know that there's no liens and that the title is in clear standings with TPWD and up-to-date. The worst that could happen is they say "we can't give that information out over the phone" or " Yes there's a lien on it" in which case you can now go back to the owner and explain that you know there's a lien and he needs to clear that up before discussing closing the deal.
Good luck!

 

[rt_hawley]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Good advice from all ! I've managed to get a copy of the title from TPWD, and indeed, it's registered to the gentleman I'm dealing with. There's a lien against it, but the deal we've arranged is that I'll send him half the money for him to clear the boat with the bank. I'll travel down there, pick up the boat and pay him the remaining money. I have an independent marine surveyor doing a thorough check on the boat and I'll wait for word from him before ANY money changes hands. My surveyor has also told me he will insist on seeing titles for both the boat and the motor before giving me the okay to proceed. Looks like the seller is on the up and up but is "slow" in responding to emails. The marine surveyor has been worth his weight in gold and I would strongly recommend him to anyone considering buying a boat in Texas from out of State. If anyone is interested in the surveyor, please send me a private message and I'll be happy to pass the info along. It looks like my concerns were unfounded and I'm suffering from "Igottagetthatboatsoonest-itis"...*grin*.
Looks like I'm going to have to call the border crossing station direct. I've called Canada Border services twice now for information and have gotten two completely different answers, ranging from "you'll need every piece of paper ever generated on the boat plus the sellers first born children", to "nah...don't worry..all we need is a bill of sale..we don't care if the boat is stolen, that's your problem when you try to register it in Canada"...I mean..WTF?? Our bureaucracy at work. Best thing to do is to call the crossing station direct and see what they are going to require. Thanks again for all the help folks. It's taken a lot of the uncertainty out of the situation!! Once the boat is in my greedy little hands, I'll post full pics.

Rob

 

[River_Lizard]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Good news. Good luck with the purchase and have a safe trip!!

 

[rt_hawley]

Re: Please Help! Title? Registration? Bill of Sale? - Used Boats Purchased in the U

Thanks Lizard. Every time I come to this site, it makes me happy I found it! Lots of expertise here to help us noobs