Title help

[littlekpd]

HI everyone, I just bought a 2006 40hp mercury. I did not get a title with it just a bill of sale. I live in the great state of ohio which requires a title. the guy says he doesnt have a title and he got it from a buddys boat that was totalled after a car/boat accident. now I have a 200lbs. paper weight because I cant do anything to get a title. Does anyone know of a way to get a title or even do a serial number search to make sure there isnt anything hidden under this motor. any help would be great. thanks

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Title help

Have you contacted the DMV or whatever it's called in Ohio? Whoever does the title paperwork for you motor vehicles.
Certainly there must be a procedure for this, it can't be the first time this has happened. Maybe a website, or a phone call or visit to the local office would help. A call to you local sheriff's office or police with the serial number would at least help determine of the motor was reported stolen. Of course if it is, you're on the hook.

 

[littlekpd]

Re: Title help

I did call the dnr and they said without a title they cant do anything. I can send them 2 dollars and they can do a title search but all thats going to do is give me the name of the guy that last had it titled to him. then I have to try to track him down. not to mention the possibility of it being stolen and then me getting caught with it. it will be the last time I buy online.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: Title help

You have just experienced the joy of buying a "non-titled" item in a "title-required" state. While this is a little late for you this should be a warning to those who lurk here. ALWAYS check with the applicable state offices before laying down good money for any high dollar item that may require a title. If the seller says I'll send it to you or cannot produce ownership documents, walk away or drop the price far enough that it pays for your inconvenience. You are justified in worrying about it being stolen. This applies equally to cars, trucks, trailers, boats, and motors.

 

[littlekpd]

Re: Title help

Is there any way around it or should I part it out or try to sell it without a title. Whats your opinion

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Title help

There are titling services that help you "get around" this. Basically you "sell" it to them (in a non-titling state) and they "sell" it back to you with appropriate paperwork. I'm sure Google is your friend here.

Otherwise what else can you do? You're pretty well screwed. Sell it to someone in PA. I would also try talking to a local notary public who handles these things (here in PA that would be an option, not sure in OH) because they might know some of the loopholes that the DMV won't directly tell you about. Good luck.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Title help

I'd go with the $2 title search and going back to the previous owner., if you can find him.

he might be a decent guy and have the title or sign whatever you need, if you do the work for him.

he may say no, or can't be located, in which case you lost $2

if it's stolen, tell him the whole story. You aren't in trouble b/c you didn't know. You do, however, have information about the guy who lied to you (and therefore probably stole it) and the two of you together can make his life deservably miserable.

Is the guy you bought it from in your state? I recall that most "title" states only require a bill of sale from an out of state purchase--otherwise I couldn't move to Ohio with my boat from Virginia. Your ebay paperwork might serve as a bill of sale. So if he is out of state, go back to dnr with that possibility.

 

[Navigator_Victory]

Re: Title help

That is what I would do.....title research find the owner and worst cast maybe you have to pay him a few bucks to sign the title and or even it were stolen the guy would probably sell it to you for a steal since you will be helping him catch the guy who stole it....do what is right and it will all work out one way or another....do what is wrong and well.....things might not turn out so good for you....just my 2 cents

 

[Whoopbass]

Re: Title help

I have sold a couple outboards to guys in Texas via Ebay. Texas requires a title but CA doesn't so the outboards I sold them didn't come with any type of paperwork. One guy sent me the paperwork their DMV requires and I filled it out and mailed it back to him and I presume he got it registered. The other guy didn't have me fill anything out. Maybe he forged my name which is common when it comes to DMV paperwork.
If the outboard came from a state with no title required then there isn't going to be any history on the motor. I would think any Seller info would work since I assume they can't verify a non titled outboard that has come from a state that keeps no information on outboards. Outboards in most states are no different than a tv or microwave.

 

[littlekpd]

Re: Title help

So after alot of research I finally found the owner. unfortuantly it was stollen. the watercraft division didnt know it was stollen. but A detective contacted me and I gave them all the info I had on the guy I bought it from. after not hearing from anyone all day I decided to call the motor owner again. He is a very nice guy and just gratefull that something turned up and that I was trying to do the right thing by finding him. but now his insurance has considered everything a complete loss. and is sending him a check this week. he doesnt want his motor back. I told him that I would be intrested in buying it and now I'm waiting for a call from someone. where do you think this one will go. if insurance thinks of it as a complete loss whats the value?? surely they would rather sell it to me then have to try a pick it up from me. I'm not really sure how all of this works. Its possible I could be out the money I spent on it but I guess thats the risk you take buying a outboard without a title. what are your thoughts

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Title help

Lesson learned. That's why states are requiring titles now, to make it harder on the thieves. Once everyone quits buying any outboard that does not have a title and all states get on board then maybe this thievery problem will go down. Nah, I'm dreaming again....

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Title help

Lesson learned. That's why states are requiring titles now, to make it harder on the thieves. Once everyone quits buying any outboard that does not have a title and all states get on board then maybe this thievery problem will go down. Nah, I'm dreaming again....

I would say you're having a nightmare, not dreaming. The titling process is harder on the honest guy than the thieves.

As for insurance: conceptually, when the insurance company pays the claim, it buys the motor or the rights to it from the owner. Sometimes the owner can buy it back (like a wrecked car) but I would think not with stolen property, for obvious reasons.
If you are lucky, you can talk to the insurance company case worker and buy it from the insurance company. To do it right will take a lot of correct paperwork, and obviously you have to convince the insurance company that you are not the thief or in cahoots with him.

It will be interesting to find out if your seller is the thief/fence, or if his buddy with the wrecked boat is.

 

[Brewman61]

Re: Title help

Stolen property belongs to the rightful owner regardless, so you're probably out the money you paid for the item. Insurance pays the claim, so they now own the motor. It's no longer stolen. Certainly won't hurt to ask the insurance company what they'd take for it.
Maybe they'll say no, but it can't hurt to ask.

 

[bassman284]

Re: Title help

Question is, does the original owner have a title? Or is he in a non-title state?