title issues

[texasvet54]

I moved this into this forum from PWC because the issue really doesn't have anything to do with the type of watercraft. I hope that's ok.

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I just bought a 1996 jetski and I need some advice on the best way to approach getting a title in my name.

I bought the jetski from a guy who bought it a few months ago from the original title holder. The problem is that the guy I bought it from never transferred the title into his name. I have the title, but it's in the original owners name and to complicate matters further, the original owner filled in the back of the title with the name of the guy that I bought it from, so I can't go back in time and say that I purchased it from the original owner.

If I didn't get such a good deal on the ski, I'd have walked.

Any suggestions on how this can be handled in Texas?

Thanks,
texasvet

 

[Grand Larsony]

Re: title issues

Not really sure about Texas (things can vary by state), but to make things right here in New York the guy who sold it to you owes tax and registration fees on his transaction (from the original owner) and you owe tax and registration on your transaction (from him).

A call to your state registration office should clear things up.

 

['78 Crusader]

Re: title issues

That's an easy one....just take your bill of sale from the previous owner plus the title which shows the other owner transferring it to the guy you bought it from to the TPWD and explain what's going on. I had a similiar issues with a Boston Whaler in 2007....but in my case our Whaler was from Florida so that complicated matters....but I was able to get through.

Also, give TPWD a call and ask them what you need to do but I'm pretty sure that what I've explianed to you above will work fine.

Good luck and post up your experience.

 

[kirmy22]

Re: title issues

I had the exact same problem in Texas, if I remember correctly either your going to have to get the forms and let the original owner sighn it over to you, or have the previous owner put it in his name, as he should have done to start with and then sign it over to you. TPDW frowns on someone buying a watercraft and not paying the fees due. Bottom line is someone is going to have to pay for it not being transfered on the last sale, hope this helps.

 

[H20Rat]

Re: title issues

I went through a similar deal with snowmobiles, and let me tell you, there is no shortcutting the process! I needed to have the highway patrol inspect the sled and verify vins, to make sure it wasn't stolen &/or vin swapped. Once that was done, the DMV issued me a form, and for a price, the name of the person on the title. Got that done, called them up, and got them to sign the form saying they were transferring the title to me. Pain in the rear!