registering a boat using a bill of sale

I have a bill of sale for a jon boat that I have and I am looking for some horror stories on how difficult it was to get it registered.

I have the bill of sale in hand. I guess I am wondering what information do I need to bring with me to the clerk's office.

Such as a hull number, weight limit, etc...

I don't think this boat has ever been registered since there are no numbers on the side of the boat.

Have you guys every registered a jon boat by just using a bill of sale?

Any info would be great, I have searched the internet and found some things, but I am looking for some first hand experiences.

Thanks

[QUOTE=cantcatchafish;510700]I have a bill of sale for a jon boat that I have and I am looking for some horror stories on how difficult it was to get it registered.

I have the bill of sale in hand. I guess I am wondering what information do I need to bring with me to the clerk's office.

Such as a hull number, weight limit, etc...

I don't think this boat has ever been registered since there are no numbers on the side of the boat.

Have you guys every registered a jon boat by just using a bill of sale?

Any info would be great, I have searched the internet and found some things, but I am looking for some first hand experiences.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

First, you only need to register it if you put a motor on it (gas or Electric). This question has come up a number of times in the past so you could search the archives on how guys did it. I regestired a canoe once so I could put a trolling mtr or a 4horse gas mtr on it. Gave the clerk serial number and length of canoe and used either mtr. Best bet is to call the county clerk and ask .

I didn't know the difference between registrations and a title when I asked for advice.

I'm tryin to get a title using a bill of sale so I can get it registered to put a trolling motor on it.

Any first hand experiences out there with getting a title using a bill of sale

[QUOTE=cantcatchafish;510775]I didn't know the difference between registrations and a title when I asked for advice.

I'm tryin to get a title using a bill of sale so I can get it registered to put a trolling motor on it.

Any first hand experiences out there with getting a title using a bill of sale[/QUOTE]

We were told to have a letter from the man who sold us the old Jon boat. We took that and any numbers we could get off the old hull to the clerks office. This was in Lexington 15 years ago and all went well. Of course I would call them first in case things have changed.
i don't remember a title being an issue....we just wanted to register it since we were putting a motor on it.

My understanding is that if it has never been registered your bill of sale and a tracing of the hull number (like with the side of a pencil and a white piece of paper) are all you need to get a title. Some counties are easier than others so it depends on where you live. You may need to have it inspected by game warden to verify the numbers.

Fayette county can be a sticker for detail. I recently made 3 trips to transfer one until I got all the i dotted.

[QUOTE=cantcatchafish;510700]I have a bill of sale for a jon boat that I have and I am looking for some horror stories on how difficult it was to get it registered.

I have the bill of sale in hand. I guess I am wondering what information do I need to bring with me to the clerk's office.

Such as a hull number, weight limit, etc...

I don't think this boat has ever been registered since there are no numbers on the side of the boat.

Have you guys every registered a jon boat by just using a bill of sale?

Any info would be great, I have searched the internet and found some things, but I am looking for some first hand experiences.

Thanks[/QUOTE]

You will get 850 different answers.

BEST ANSWER......Call them, get a specific person, and then ask if you can some see them, EVEN if you have to wait a little while.

Be nice......they only have a job to do. Sometimes, a complicated job.

I've only had a problem when I've been an azzhole.........I try not to be an azzhole any more.

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=GeoFisher;510787]You will get 850 different answers.

BEST ANSWER......Call them, get a specific person, and then ask if you can some see them, EVEN if you have to wait a little while.

Be nice......they only have a job to do. Sometimes, a complicated job.

I've only had a problem when I've been an azzhole.........I try not to be an azzhole any more.

Later,

Geo[/QUOTE]

This is the way to go. This is what I did when I got my new boat. I went in prior on my old boat sale, worked with a nice lady, asked her advice on what to do and bring in. She wrote it all down for me with her name. When I went back I asked for her and she took care of everything in one pass.

Call, get the advice, write it down, then ask if you can get with that person when you are ready to come in. If they tell you anyone can help tell them you've enjoyed doing business with them and most times they will then tell you their schedule. Write that down too..

Thanks for info folks thats what I was looking for....

[QUOTE=cantcatchafish;510775]I didn't know the difference between registrations and a title when I asked for advice.

[/QUOTE]

Here's a way to keep it straight in your mind:
A boat TITLE: Also called a Certificate of Origin, is like a person's birth certificate. It shows that thing exists and is assigned some specific identification number, like a serial number. For a boat, that's called a Hull Idendtification Number (HIN), for a car, its a VIN Vehicle ID number. (SAYS THIS THING EXISTS AND CAN BE IDENTIFIED)

A boat registration, connects the title (the boat exists) to a specific owner (you) and to a specific place the boat resides or is used. (A country, state, a county, a city). The resgistration is your proof of legal ownership. (SAYS THIS THING THAT EXISTS, DOES SO IN SOME LOCATION, AND IS OWNED BY SOMEONE)

The bill of sale is the tie between a Boat TITLE, and the registration. The bill of sale shows who bought the boat, and so has the right to register ownership of it in their name. (also shows value for tax purposes). If you gain a boat as a gift or thru private sale, and have no bill of sale, you just sign a "Affadavit of Ownership and Transfer", that documents that you own the boat, and therefore have the right to claim ownership, and can then register the vessel. (SAYS HOW YOU CAME TO OWN THIS THING THAT EXISTS SOMEWHERE)