Buyiing a Canadian-Registered Sailboat from Another Canadian in Guatemala

[squarehead]

I'm hoping I can get some help here.

I bought a sailboat in Guatemala in 2006.The sailboat was Canadian registered ,and myself being Canadian ,I thought it would be a simple transaction.

I brought the paperwork to Marine Transport Canada and was informed that I now longer needed to register the boat because it was a pleasure craft. It only required to be licenced. I was told at that time that no GST was to be paid because the boat was not in Canada.

We went down in 2007 to sail our boat to Belize for a holiday only to discover it was still registered in the previous owners name.Fortunatly the former owner retired to Guatemala and I was able to get in contact with him. We required a letter from his lawyer stating we were allowed to use the boat.

Numerious calls to Marine Transport Canada have gone unanswered( we get voice mail boxes) How do I remove the previous owner from the registry system?
S.Q.

[GordMay]

In Canada registration is basically a title system for the ownership of ships. It is similar in nature to title systems applicable to land registry. Registration is mandatory for every ship that exceeds 15 gross tons. Ships not required by law to be registered (pleasure craft) may do so on a voluntary basis.
When you buy a used "licenced" boat, you must transfer the licence by taking it with a "bill of sale" signed by the previous owner and the completed transfer form (reverse side of Pleasure Craft Licence form) to the nearest licensing office.
The ship registration program is delivered from 9 regional offices that process routine applications. You may contact any Trasport Canada Registration office from anywhere in North America by using the toll free help line:
1-877-242-8770.
For more information, consult the Ship Registration Guide.
http://www.tc.gc.ca/marinesafety/oep/shipreg/menu.htm

[knottybuoyz]

The alternative to registering a vessel in Canada is licensing it. Licensing is provincially based and operated on behalf of Transport Canada by Service Canada.

Since April 1, 2006 Service Canada delivers Pleasure Craft Licensing at all of their offices across Canada.

For the location nearest you, visit Service Canada or call 1 800 O-Canada (1 800 622-6232). Trailers are registered through your provincial or territorial transportation office.