It can be hard and complicated to sell a boat, especially if it is registered with the US Coast Guard. Many boat owners don’t know what permits, paperwork, and documents they need to legally sell their boats. In this blog, we’ll showboat owners step-by-step how to sell a documented boat in the US, what the benefits of changing boats are, and what the US Coast Guard does. We will also show you how to use the Maritime Documentation Center, a private online portal for boating documentation, to get all the permits you need, such as a boat bill of sale, a boat registration, and other paperwork.
Why Jump Ships?
Before we talk about how to sell a documented boat, let’s take a minute to talk about why boat owners might want to switch boats. Someone might want to sell their boat for many reasons, such as:
- Switching to a newer or bigger model
- Getting a smaller boat or one that costs less is called “downsizing.”
- Moving to a different place with different boating options
- Changes in the way people live, like retirement, health problems, or a growing family
No matter the reason, it may be challenging to sell a boat, especially if the Coast Guard has documented it. But if you plan ahead and have the right paperwork, the process can be simple and stress-free.
The US Coast Guard’s Role In Boating
In the US, all boats with a net tonnage of more than five that are used for business or are registered with the Coast Guard must be Coast Guard documented. Documented ships are given a unique number which is also called the ship’s official number. This number stays with the ship for the rest of its life. This number is the main way to identify the boat and can be helpful if you want to sell the boat. If you want to sell a documented boat, you need to know what role the Coast Guard plays in the process.
Before a boat can be sold, all of its paperwork and registration must be up-to-date and in order, according to the US Coast Guard. This includes making sure the boat is registered correctly, that all the paperwork is in order, and that there are no liens or debts against the boat.
Obtain All The Permits You Need
Before selling a boat, the owner must get all the permits and paperwork that are needed, such as a bill of sale, the boat’s registration, and other paperwork. The bill of sale is a legal document that shows that the boat is now owned by the buyer and not the seller. To protect both parties, it is important to have a bill of sale that is filled out correctly. This is what should be written on the bill of sale:
- Who is buying and selling, and where do they live
- The official number of the ship
- The price to pay
- When it was sold
- A description of the boat, including its make, model, and year of construction.
Before selling a boat, the owner must make sure that, in addition to the boat bill of sale, the boat’s registration is up-to-date and that all other permits and paperwork are in order. This can be a complicated and time-consuming process, but boat owners can save time and effort by using the Maritime Documentation Center.
Use the Maritime Documentation Center
The Maritime Documentation Center is a private online portal that gives boat owners everything they need to sell a vessel in the US, including a bill of sale form for a boat. Our online portal can help you renew your USCG paperwork, get all the necessary boating permits, and give you a bill of sale form for a boat. When selling a boat, using our online portal is a fast, easy, and safe way to make sure all the paperwork is in order.
It can be hard to get a bill of sale for a boat, but the Maritime Documentation Center can make it easy. Our team of experts can help you with all of your USCG paperwork needs, and using our online portal will allow you to also fill out and print custom bill of sale forms from the comfort of your own home.
The easiest way to buy or sell a documented boat in the US is to use our online portal to renew your vessel documentation and get all the necessary permits and forms, such as a bill of sale. Not only does it save you time and effort, but it also makes sure you have all the paperwork you need to keep following USCG rules.
Easily Obtain a Bill of Sale Today
In the end, selling a documented boat in the US can be a complicated process, but it’s important to do everything right to make sure the sale goes smoothly and legally. There are a number of things you need to do in order to sell your boat, like getting a boat bill of sale and telling the US Coast Guard about the change in ownership. By using the Maritime Documentation Center’s online portal, you can make the process easier and ensure that everything is taken care of quickly and easily. So, if you want to sell your registered boat, don’t be afraid to use our online form services to make the process as easy as possible.