The day you never expected to come is finally here: if you are reading this article, it probably is because you were searching around, looking for information on how to sell your boat (or buy a new one). Luckily for you, you have come to the right place. On Vessel Documentation Online you can download any type of form that will help you to be on board in no time. Additionally, we created a blog to help you understand how most of the boating paperwork works. This article, in particular, will explain how the Coast Guard Bill of Sale has to be used. Read on and find out!
The US Coast Guard and the Bill of Sale
As usual, let us start by giving you some definitions. The United States Coast Guard (USCG) is the maritime security, search and rescue, and law enforcement service branch of the country. As such, they monitor the different boating documentation. Most of the documents are formalized by the US Coast Guard. The Bill of sale, however, is not.
A bill of sale works pretty much like a receipt and it is used to record when a watercraft changes its ownership. When the boat you are selling or buying is still registered with the USCG there is no need for a bill of sale, as you will be using a Transfer of Ownership document instead to prove that a transaction has taken place.
When the boat is not documented, however, it would be valuable to both you and the other person involved in the transaction, to have evidence of the transaction. In most jurisdictions, it will be required to register the sale. What do you need to include on the bill of sale? Let us walk you through it.
Information Included in your Coast Guard Bill of Sale
As the Coast Guard Bill of Sale is not formalized, you cannot get a document from their site to download. There are, however, some drafts available online. As a general rule of thumb, however, you will need to include:
Basic information about the seller and the buyer such as name and surname, email and phone, and your personal addresses.
Specifications about the watercraft: year and place where it was built, make, HIN and the title number, odometer reading, and an objective account of the boat’s condition. If something is not working properly, it should be noted in the document as well. If a trailer or engine is included in the transaction, this should be noted in the bill of sale as well.
Finally, the price is being paid for the vessel and the signatures from the people included in the transaction need to be noted as well. It is recommended that you sign the bill of sale once it has been paid in full.
All of Your Forms in One Place
Like we said at the beginning, at Vessel Documentation Online you can get any type of boating paperwork. We are America’s leading provider of vessel documentation services and can save you the worries you may incur too. Whether you need to complete your Coast Guard Bill of Sale or any other type of boat documentation, you will find our help useful. Contact us today and get your boat sorted!
