Sean:
I am NOT a lawyer, but you will find that the below comments are a reliable summary of the Canadian situation:
Only the executor of the deceased's estate will have the authority to dispose of the deceased's chattels, including
sale of a vessel. and to deal with all matters related thereto such as removing a vessel from the Register or cancelling the the vessel's licence. If the vessel is "sold" by anyone OTHER than the Executor, the
sale will not be valid, and the purchaser will have an action in tort. There may be most unwelcome sanctions devolving on the seller!
If the deceased had a Will, the identity of the Executor will be stated in the Will. If the deceased died "intestate", i.e. died without having a Will, the deceased's estate will, in essence, be "frozen" and be subject to the administration of the Courts. The Courts, will direct the disposal of the estate and distribute the proceeds in accordance with the "Intestacy Rules". They are complex, and
family members believing that they have "rights" to all or part of the estate will, regardless of what they believe, inherit what those rules say they will inherit - nothing more, nothing less.
The rules vary from province to province.
If your father was a Canadian citizen, Permanent Resident or normally domiciled in
Canada on the date of his death, Canadian law applies, and if applicable at all, the Intestacy Rules of his province of residence will apply.
Do be careful that you do not fall victim to well meaning
advice from American laymen, or indeed American "attorneys". Canadian law is Canadian law, and whatever the American situation regarding intestate estates may be, American law has zero relevance.
If your father died intestate, I highly recommend that you consult a solicitor in the province where your father resided. Seeking guidance from members of a forum such as this in matters of such potential gravity is NOT sound policy!
Condolences for your loss, and all the best to you.
TrentePieds