Boat/trailer title question

yard mongrel

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Maybe y'all could shed some light on this one. I have an old john boat and trailer I inherited. Friend of mine wants to buy it, but I can not find the title/reg for either anywhere. What is my recourse? Really wanting to just sell the damn thing and let him sort out the title stuff. What say y'all?
 
Bill of sale for the boat is all that's needed. The trailer on the other hand would "technically" need the title transfered, if he wants to get a plate for it.
 
Applying for a lost title will be much easier for you as the owner I would think. I say that based on some experiences I've had.
 
Applying for a lost title will be much easier for you as the owner I would think. I say that based on some experiences I've had.
I'm something the third generation of inheritance on this boat/trailer combo. Documentation supposedly existed on the boat, but nobody can remember the trailer. It was probably something my papaw got in a trade 50 years ago.
 
I understood him to say that he inherited the boat/trailer and just couldn't find the title or registration. I had that same experience with some inherited property and it was fairly simple to establish ownership and apply for the title. I would think it would be easier that way than for a new purchaser but who knows?
 
I'm something the third generation of inheritance on this boat/trailer combo. Documentation supposedly existed on the boat, but nobody can remember the trailer. It was probably something my papaw got in a trade 50 years ago.

You might could get the DMV to issue a duplicate or even an original title in that case. I tried that once and they gave me a form to complete, have an LEO to verify the serial number and then sign the form. I soon had a title.

Another time I stamped some ID numbers on the trailer tongue, had the trailer inspected by LEO who signed the DMV form, and then applied/received a title.
 
I went through this about 6 months ago, Inherited a boat/trailer which was my grandfathers and it had never been titled. I had to go the route of an Indemnity Bond in order to get the trailer titled/registered.

I had to go to the license and theft DMV, get the forms, fill them out which included having to get 2 appraisals on the trailer (which I had a hard time finding anyone to appraise a boat trailer), get the paperwork notarized, stamp the ID number they gave me on the trailer tongue and axle, contact my insurance company to get an indemnity bond (at the cost of $100), take all that back to the dmv and get it inspected. Needless to say this route was a PITA and took a couple weeks to complete but for me it was the only option available.

I would give them the BOS and let the buyer have all the fun o_O
 
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Boats have titles in NC, you need one to register it. A bill of sale will not get you one, unless from a state which does not require titles.

WRC can get you the name and address of the last registered owner if in NC, you send that person a certified letter, no idea where it goes from there I gave the POS away rather than deal with it.

Trailer is thru DMV. Check for VINs, go get a homebuilt title if none.

Boats and trailers are worth more with titles.
 
There is nothing more convoluted and confusing than dealing with a boat or boat trailer without proper documentation. DMV doesn't know how to do it, you talk to 2 agents and you'll get 2 different remedies.
Anytime I look at a rig the first question is "do you have all of the titles"?? Unless they do and can produce them for inspection I keep moving. I've flipped more than my share of boats but no paperwork, no deal..... unless it's pennies on the dollar and the ensuing headaches make it worthwhile....
 
What Bailey Boat said. If your time is worth anything, you will spend many times the value of a typical trailer to get it titled and licensed. Been there more than once, never again. If you want some real fun, buy a 20-year old boat trailer with no title from out of state :eek:
 
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