Inflatable Title in Florida

[eje]

I'm shopping for a small used inflatable in Florida. I'm unclear regarding the titling/registration requirements.

I know unpowered boats shorter than 16' don't have to be registered, but if I put an outboard on it I will have to register it. I assume it should also have a title.

I can check the current title/registration status once I have the HIN, but I'm sure many owners never titles this boats. If I'm looking at a boat that either doesn't have a title or is titled to someone other than the seller, how difficult would it be to register?

[denverd0n]

Impossible... At least, until you get a clear title for it.

There are various ways to get a title for a boat that has not had one in the past. If it was titled to someone else, and the seller never titled it in their name, then that's a whole different set of issues. Issues that, frankly, I would not bother with. There are plenty of other boats, I'm sure, that won't have these kinds of issues.

Good luck.

[SailFastTri]

Originally Posted by eje

snip
If I'm looking at a boat that either doesn't have a title or is titled to someone other than the seller, how difficult would it be to register?

I'd assume it may be stolen if that's the case. Wouldn't touch it with a 10-foot oar.

[eje]

Thanks to both of you-
And yeah, that's what I thought and was my concern
I also called the FL TAG office, they confirmed the same

I did get the boat I was looking at-
Good shape, there's no title history so a bill of sale should suffice

[Hhew]

I did this exact thing in Fl (Escambia County) with a RIB that I bought 2nd hand. PO provided a signed bill of sale with the purchase price (actually I wrote it up and he signed it). Took this to the DMV/tax assessors office and told them that I intend to put an engine on it and I'll need to title it and register it. I paid the tax (you're not going to escape that) and the registration fee and walked out with title and reg in my hand. Easily done.

[boat driver]

Originally Posted by eje

I'm shopping for a small used inflatable in Florida. I'm unclear regarding the titling/registration requirements.

I know unpowered boats shorter than 16' don't have to be registered, but if I put an outboard on it I will have to register it. I assume it should also have a title.

I can check the current title/registration status once I have the HIN, but I'm sure many owners never titles this boats. If I'm looking at a boat that either doesn't have a title or is titled to someone other than the seller, how difficult would it be to register?

check the HIN number on stern but be sure it looks like it belongs on the boat.
inflatables are stolen and the id number plate removed and replaced- or removed entirely. If you look on starboard stern should be just next to engine bracket. if you run number it should say type/manufacture of vessel. dead giveaway is zodiac logo on boat but number says west marine.
or drill holes where old plate was removed.
Idiots stole mine (with name on it) changed number plate, and took it to local pawn shop. Three days later dnr called and gave it back. The funny will be someone registering their dingy in future and having my manufacture plate numbers on it.

[sailingchiro]

If you can register the motor and boat together. I had a motor with no title but boat with title.
I have a house in Kansas, registered the motor and boat with bill of sale in Kansas then re-registered the boat in Florida after getting the registration in Kansas. Kansas is a no title state, just registration. Don't know if this helps.

[Manateeman]

If you have a boat, find a place to hide your own information that way you can prove it belongs to you. A number of boatbuilders hide a second hull number in the boat. Change something which will be difficult or expensive to remove.
Mark