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Boat Bill of Sale

Create a complete boat bill of sale, preview it live as you type, and download a print-ready PDF — free, no signup, no watermark.

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Create your boat bill of sale

  • ID number

    HIN (12 characters)

  • Odometer disclosure

    Not required

  • Registered with

    State boating agency

  • Trailer

    Listed separately

Overview

Selling or buying a boat privately? A boat bill of sale records the vessel, the price, and the date the deal closed — and it's the document most states ask for when the buyer registers the boat. Unlike a car, a boat sale often involves up to three items changing hands at once: the vessel itself, the outboard motor, and the trailer, each with its own identification number.

The vessel is identified by its Hull Identification Number (HIN) — a 12-character code usually stamped on the starboard side of the transom — rather than a VIN. If a trailer is included, list its VIN or serial number separately; in most states the trailer is titled and registered on its own.

What a boat bill of sale needs

Find the HIN, not a VIN

Every boat built after 1972 has a 12-character Hull Identification Number on the transom. Copy it exactly — registration offices reject paperwork with a mistyped HIN.

List the motor separately

An outboard motor has its own serial number and, in some states, its own title. Record the make, horsepower, and serial number so there's no dispute about what was included.

Include (or exclude) the trailer explicitly

Trailers are titled separately in most states. Say clearly whether the trailer is part of the sale and record its VIN or serial number if it is.

Registration, not just title

Boats are registered with the state's boating or wildlife agency (sometimes the DMV). The buyer typically needs the signed bill of sale to register and pay any use tax.

How to write a boat bill of sale

  1. 1

    Enter the sale date and the state where the sale takes place.

  2. 2

    Add the seller's and buyer's full legal names and addresses.

  3. 3

    Describe the vessel — make, model, year, and 12-character HIN.

  4. 4

    List any included motor and trailer with their serial numbers in the additional terms.

  5. 5

    Enter the price and choose as-is or warranty terms, then both parties sign.

Boat bill of sale FAQs

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

Most states don't require notarization for a boat bill of sale, but a few do for titled vessels. Check with your state's boating agency; when in doubt, signing before a notary never hurts.

Is the trailer included in a boat bill of sale?

Only if you say so. The trailer is a separate piece of property with its own VIN or serial number and is usually titled separately — state explicitly whether it's part of the sale.

Where is the HIN on a boat?

On the starboard (right) side of the transom, near the top. Boats built after 1984 also carry a hidden duplicate somewhere in the hull interior.

Do I need an odometer disclosure for a boat?

No. The federal odometer disclosure rule applies to motor vehicles, not vessels. Engine hours can be noted voluntarily in the additional terms.

Ready to put your boat sale in writing?

The builder pre-fills the right ID field (HIN (12 characters)) for a boat.

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State-specific rules

Notarization, title-transfer deadlines, and sales tax depend on the state, not the vehicle. Pick your state for the local rules:

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