recommended way buy boat california

[arch007]

Would really like advice on the safest way to buy a boat in california from individual to individual.

What would you recommend to avoid

1. Unrecorded liens on the boat. That is not shown on the DMV record.

2. Mechanics of transferring money. Cashier's check ?

3. Person selling is the owner. DMV license satisfactory ?

4. Boat you survey is the boat described at DMV. What if boat has no HIN number ?

Anything else I am missing ?

Thanks,

arch

[gjordan]

The boat I bought last year was Calif registered by its sail/hull number and had no VIN number anywhere. It is a 1974 and should have had a VIN number. Calif put it in my name, using the sail/hull number. When I went to get insurance they would not cover it without a VIN , so I called the Coast Guard and they said DMV will issue you the number. I did my research on what the correct VIN should have been (guessed on the month) and when I went back to DMV it was very easy. I was expecting a lot of trouble, but they were nice about it. ____Grant.