Thanks for all the help guys, really appreciate it. I am such a novice at this and it is a little overwhelming.

Sounds like my best bet is to tell the owner to register the boat into his name before going any further with the deal. If he is able to register it into his name from the guy who he bought it from, then it should be legit, right? I should then be able to take the registration with his name on it, and anything else the county clerk wants and apply for a KY title? I'll call them in the am, thanks!

-Rich