Florida Registration of a Used Dinghy

[cabo_sailor]

This is a question for Florida boaters. I’m looking at buying a used dinghy that has never been titled or registered. The owners have no paperwork not even a certificate of origin. There will be a bill of sale.

Can I get a Florida title and registration with just the bill of sale? They point out that in this state a boat of less than 16 ft with no motor is exempt, which is true but I plan to put a small outboard on it which means it has to be registered

[a64pilot]

It’s going to be a problem, your going to have to get a new title issued.
Best talk to the tag office first before you buy, they can make it easy, or hard.

[sailorboy1]

I would call or go by the tax collectors office and ask before parting with my money.

[a64pilot]

Try if possible to take the seller with you.
I think it depends on the tag office. For instance the form for proving my boat was over 30 yrs old, and had original propulsion etc., plainly stated on the form that is must be filled out by a licensed surveyor. However the lady allowed me to fill it out while I was there and hand it in, and thereby pay next to nothing in registration fees.

[cabo_sailor]

Thank you, I most definitely plan to go to the DMV tomorrow.

[Davidhoy]

I went through this a couple of years ago, when I got a 10ft Caribe with a bigger boat I bought. The dinghy was not explicitly listed on the original bill of sale, and I was eventually able to get a seperate BOS from the seller. I used a private tag office to push things through with the DMV, and it worked out OK in the end.

[DenverSailors]

I went through this with the Tax Collector (Florida’s DMV) a few months ago. Twas a huge PITA. We ended up registering the dinghy in Admiral’s name in Colorado and then it was a piece of cake to register it in Florida when she sold it to me.

[Scout 30]

I've got some friends that have tried to do this & have not been successful. If the seller won't go with you to the DMV I'd pass. If they will go I'd still wait to pay for it till you are sure you can get a title.

[WSMFP]

I would pass and find a different deal.

[Morequestions]

Don't know if this would apply but if all else fails look into saying it was home built.
It works for trailers not sure boats

[DenverSailors]

Originally Posted by Morequestions

Don't know if this would apply but if all else fails look into saying it was home built.
It works for trailers not sure boats

I tried the homemade route and they required receipts for all building materials. I thought they were kidding. They were not.

[wayne.b]

Originally Posted by cabo_sailor

This is a question for Florida boaters. I’m looking at buying a used dinghy that has never been titled or registered. The owners have no paperwork not even a certificate of origin. There will be a bill of sale.

Can I get a Florida title and registration with just the bill of sale? They point out that in this state a boat of less than 16 ft with no motor is exempt, which is true but I plan to put a small outboard on it which means it has to be registered

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It's my understanding, possibly incorrect, that it is relatively easy to register dinghys in the state of Georgia. Once registered there, you can re-register in FL.

[Morequestions]

Originally Posted by DenverSailors

I tried the homemade route and they required receipts for all building materials. I thought they were kidding. They were not.

Wow thats rough, but thats good reason to save all your boat receipts especially the maintenance stuff. Hand them that to read through when they are busy. Bring in the shoe box Ha