Help getting a boat titled

yodaman88

Well-Known Member
Joined
Dec 5, 2008
Location
Wilmington, North Carolina
I bought a boat to fix up and it didn't come with a title. I didn't think that was a big deal since i've bought many cars without titles and then obtained them.
My question is how do you do this with a boat? Apparently you don't go to the dmv office? This is my first boat so I don't really know anything about how to register them
 
Look on the nc wildlife website for the nearest boat registration/titling place...usually the same places that sell hunting/fishing licenses. Wildlife website also spells out what you need for titling an untitled boat. It's different depending on where the boat is from. Pretty easy and around $60
 
If available you need to get a notarized bill of sale. Then locate your hull number usually found near or on the transom and with a pencil and paper make a rubbing of the number plate making sure you can read all of the numbers, go to your nearest boat dealership and they will be able to register it to you. FYI it is easier to buy a boat than receive one for free so if someone gave the boat to you than on the bill of sale right it up as if you payed them one dollar for it. If that doesn't work there are other ways that aren't as quick.
 
Hopfully it wasn't an insurnce job that "sunk" that one sucked.
 
I have done this with several boats.

Does it have a ID number? If it does you can track down the owner through that number.

Does it have NC registration number? If it does you can track down the old owner through those as well.

If it has neither this is the best case. What you will need to do it write an affidavit that says that you have found/bought a boat that has no boat ID number nor does it have any NC registration number so that you can contact previous owners. You need to state the type of boat(ie wood/aluminum/fiberglass), length (ie 14, 15, 19), and propultion (electric, gas, paddle). This needs to look like an offical business letter with their address your address and all that good stuff. Then at the bottom you need to leave a space to have that notarized. Then mail it and a completed VL-1 (as much as possible) with the check for the title and reg fee and you will have a title in a few weeks.

If you have can find any number on the boat. You must to do your best to contact the owner of the boat and find out what is going on with the boat. If they do not want to deal with it. You need to write that in your letter. Saying that you have contacted the owner and they do not want to deal with the boat. If they will agree to give you a notarized bill of sale then that is the best.

You can just send that off to wildlife with a VL-1 from and you will get a title back with a week or two. If you are fixing up a boat it is easiest just to mail it off. It isn't like you'll have it fixed up by then.

What is the back story on the boat?

I wish I could find the NC4x4 of boats. I sold my Bronco and got a boat. I am hooked on them now.
 
if youre in chapel hill out on751 heading towards jordan lake the bp station on the right when you cross into chatham co does boats...
 
[
I wish I could find the NC4x4 of boats. I sold my Bronco and got a boat. I am hooked on them now.[/QUOTE]
That will change, if your luck is like mine. I've had 2 motors, go bad, in3 years! NO money left!:poop:
 
thanks for the help. It's got the registration numbers and ID numbers, and i've got a bill of sale, so hopefully it shouldn't be too bad.
Here's a pic of her so far
ai286.photobucket.com_albums_ll81_mharding72_boats_brianscamera026.jpg

1977 Formula Thunderbird 255 in case you were wondering (and that's the original trailer....pretty sketchy)
 
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