A bill of sale is a piece of paperwork that documents the sale of a large and valuable item, in this case, a boat trailer. It’s an agreement between the buyer and the seller of the item that details the transaction, which usually includes details about the item in question, including price and specs. The bill of sale for a vessel trailer is no different than that for other types of trailers, however, because it doesn’t have to be registered with the USCG, the process is a bit different. Keep in mind that the trailer must still be registered with the DMV. Keep reading for more information about what to include.
Names and Contact Details
Your bill of sale should include the names and contact information of both the buyer and the seller. This might sound like a no-brainer, but it is perhaps the most important data you can start with when drawing up your bill of sale.
Information About the Trailer
Just as you would prepare a bill of sale for any other kind of watercraft, you’ll need to include details about the trailer itself on the document. This will include the VIN number, the make and model of the trailer, and the year it was manufactured. The more detail you can include, the better because this is what contributes to identifying your trailer separate from the other boat trailers on the water.
Price of the Trailer
Including the cost of the trailer is an essential part of your bill of sale. Not only does it ensure that both parties are in agreement on the price of the boat trailer, but having it clearly stated on the bill of sale prevents future disputes about the amount of money that changed hands during the transaction.
Conditions of the Sale
Other information to put on the bill of sale includes the conditions of the transaction. That includes the condition of the trailer itself (listing it “as is”, for example), as well as any warranties or concessions that are agreed upon between the seller and the buyer. It’s vital to include all of these conditions on the bill of sale, just in case of any disputes or complaints should a problem with the trailer arise in the future.
Filling Out the Bill of Sale
Just as important as including all the relevant information on your bill of sale is being sure it’s in the proper location and is accurate and up to date. For that reason, it’s important to check and double-check the document before submitting it. That way you can correct any mistakes, including spelling errors or items that are in the wrong location on the form. Doing this prevents the process from taking longer than it needs and can save you money in additional fees and penalties.
If you need help facilitating the process of completing a bill of sale for a vessel trailer, you need the US Vessel Registrar. Contact us today for assistance with all of your questions and concerns.