Do I need a bill of sale to sell a boat?

In most states, yes, a bill of sale is required to register or title a used boat, and many states will not process a transfer without one. Even where it is optional, a bill of sale is the document that proves ownership changed hands, records the price for tax purposes, and protects the seller from liability after the sale. Always create one, even for a small or private sale.

Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?

It depends on the state. States like Connecticut, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and West Virginia require notarization for vessel transfers, while many others do not. Even when it is not required, notarizing the document adds a layer of fraud protection and makes the sale far harder to dispute later. When in doubt, check with your state boating or DMV agency before signing.

Do I include the trailer and motor on the boat bill of sale?

You can, but list them as separate line items with their own identifying numbers: the trailer VIN and the motor serial number. Trailers are usually titled and registered separately from the boat, so a buyer may need a distinct bill of sale or title transfer for the trailer. The outboard or inboard motor should always be identified by make, model, horsepower, and serial number because it is often the most valuable component.

What is the HIN on a boat bill of sale?

The HIN, or Hull Identification Number, is a 12-character code permanently affixed to the boat (usually on the upper starboard side of the transom). It is the boat equivalent of a car VIN and uniquely identifies the vessel. Recording the HIN on the bill of sale is essential: it ties the document to a specific boat and is required for registration and titling.

Does an "as-is" clause protect the seller from everything?

An as-is clause means the buyer accepts the boat in its current condition with no warranties, and it does protect a private seller from most claims about defects that surface after the sale. However, it does not protect a seller who actively lies about a known problem or hides a defect. Honesty in the disclosure section still matters; fraud overrides an as-is clause in court.

Boat Bill of Sale Template: What to Include

Learn how to write a boat bill of sale that protects buyer and seller. Covers HIN, motor serial numbers, as-is clauses, notarization, and state requirements.

Selling or buying a used boat is one of those transactions where a single piece of paper does most of the heavy lifting. A boat bill of sale records the transfer of ownership, documents the price, identifies the exact vessel, and, critically, protects the seller from liability the moment the buyer takes the helm.

Unlike buying a new boat from a dealer, a private boat sale usually has no paperwork unless you create it. This guide explains what a boat bill of sale is, exactly what to include, how to handle the motor and trailer, when notarization is required, and the mistakes that turn a clean sale into a dispute.

What is a boat bill of sale?

A boat bill of sale is a written document that records the sale of a vessel from a seller to a buyer. It states who sold the boat, who bought it, what was sold, how much was paid, and the date ownership transferred.

It serves three purposes at once:

Proof of ownership transfer. It establishes that the buyer is now the legal owner, which is what the state needs to register or title the boat.
Tax and price record. It documents the purchase price, which most states use to calculate sales or use tax on the transfer.
Liability protection. Once signed, the seller is no longer responsible for the vessel, important if the buyer later has an accident or racks up unpaid marina fees.

A bill of sale is different from a title. The title proves ownership over time; the bill of sale proves the moment of transfer. Many states require both for registration, especially for larger or newer boats that are titled.

When do you need a boat bill of sale?

You should create a bill of sale for essentially every private boat transaction, but it is especially important when:

Buying or selling a used boat between private parties. There's no dealer paperwork to fall back on.
The boat is titled or must be registered. Most states require a bill of sale to process the transfer.
A motor or trailer is included. These often carry separate value and identifying numbers.
The sale price affects taxes. The document is your record of what was actually paid.
You're gifting a boat, note "gift" or a nominal amount, but still document the transfer of ownership.

Even for a $500 fishing boat, skipping the bill of sale is a mistake. Without it, a seller can be pursued for fees or accidents tied to a boat they no longer own, and a buyer may be unable to register the vessel at all.

What to include in a boat bill of sale

A complete boat bill of sale has a predictable structure. Leave any of these sections out and you risk a rejected registration or an unenforceable document.

1. Buyer and seller information

Use full legal names and current addresses for both parties. If a business owns the boat, use the legal business name and the name of the person authorized to sign. Phone numbers and email addresses are useful for follow-up but not strictly required.

2. Vessel description

This is the heart of the document. Identify the boat precisely:

Make and model (e.g., Boston Whaler, Sea Ray)
Year of manufacture
Length (overall length in feet)
Hull material (fiberglass, aluminum, wood)
Hull Identification Number (HIN): the 12-character code on the transom
Current registration number (the "bow numbers," if registered)
Title number, if the boat is titled

The HIN is the single most important identifier. It ties the bill of sale to one specific vessel and is required for registration in every state.

3. Motor (engine) details

The motor is frequently the most valuable part of a boat and is often sold or replaced separately, so describe it on its own line:

Make and model
Horsepower
Serial number
Whether it's an inboard, outboard, or inboard/outboard (I/O)

If the boat has more than one motor, list each separately with its own serial number.

4. Trailer details (if included)

A boat trailer is usually titled and registered separately from the boat. If the trailer is part of the deal, list it as its own item:

Make and year
Trailer VIN
Number of axles or load capacity

Some states require a separate bill of sale or title transfer for the trailer, so check before assuming one document covers both.

5. Purchase price and payment terms

State the agreed price in numbers and words. Note how payment was made (cash, check, electronic transfer) and whether it was paid in full at signing. If there's a deposit and a balance, spell out the schedule. For a gift, write "gift" or a nominal sum like $1.

6. As-is clause and warranties

Most private boat sales are "as-is, where-is", meaning the buyer accepts the boat in its current condition with no warranties from the seller. Include this clause explicitly. It protects a private seller from claims about defects discovered after the sale. (It does not, however, protect a seller who conceals a known problem; see the mistakes section below.)

7. Disclosures

Honesty here protects the seller more than it helps the buyer. Note any known material defects: hull damage, a motor that needs work, electrical problems, or prior accidents. Disclosing a problem and selling as-is is far safer than staying silent and getting sued for fraud.

8. Date, signatures, and notarization

Both parties sign and date the document. Many states require the seller's signature; some require the buyer's as well. If your state mandates notarization, sign in front of a notary. Make two originals, one for each party.

How to write a boat bill of sale: step-by-step

Step 1: Gather the details. Collect the HIN, registration number, title (if any), motor serial number, and trailer VIN before you start writing. Walk to the transom and read the HIN directly off the hull rather than copying it from old paperwork.

Step 2: Fill in the parties. Enter full legal names and addresses for buyer and seller.

Step 3: Describe the vessel precisely. Add make, model, year, length, hull material, and HIN. Double-check the HIN character by character, a single wrong digit can stall registration.

Step 4: List the motor and trailer separately. Give each its own identifying number. Don't bury a $10,000 outboard inside a one-line boat description.

Step 5: State the price and payment method. Write it in numbers and words, and note that payment was received in full (or document the balance schedule).

Step 6: Add the as-is clause and disclosures. Make the condition of the sale explicit and disclose any known defects.

Step 7: Sign, date, and notarize if required. Confirm your state's notarization rule, then both parties sign. Keep an original each, and the buyer takes their copy to register the boat.

State requirements vary, check before you sign

Boat titling and registration are handled at the state level, and the rules differ more than most people expect. A few key variations:

Notarization: Required in states like Connecticut, Louisiana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, and West Virginia; optional in many others.
Titling thresholds: Some states title all motorized vessels; others only title boats above a certain length or horsepower.
Trailers: Often registered separately, with their own title and transfer process.
Tax: Most states charge sales or use tax on the purchase price, calculated from the figure on your bill of sale.

Before finalizing the sale, look up your state's boating agency (often the DMV, Department of Natural Resources, or Fish & Wildlife) and confirm what they require for a transfer. The buyer typically has a limited window, often 15 to 30 days, to register the boat after purchase.

Common mistakes that void or weaken a boat bill of sale

Leaving off the HIN. Without the Hull Identification Number, the document doesn't clearly identify which boat was sold, and the state may reject the registration outright.

Forgetting the motor serial number. When the engine is the most valuable component, a missing serial number invites disputes over whether the motor on the boat is the one that was actually sold.

Treating the trailer as an afterthought. Trailers are titled separately in most states. Lumping it into the boat description without its own VIN can leave the buyer unable to register the trailer.

Skipping the as-is clause. A private seller who omits this clause may face claims for every problem the buyer finds later. Spell out that the sale is as-is.

Hiding a known defect. An as-is clause does not cover fraud. If you know the lower unit is shot or the hull has been repaired after a sinking, disclose it. Concealment can void the sale and expose you to damages.

Not making two originals. Each party should keep a signed original. The buyer needs theirs to register; the seller needs theirs as proof they no longer own the boat.

Forgetting to notify the state. In states that require it, the seller should report the sale (a "notice of transfer") so the registration is no longer tied to them.

Boat bill of sale vs. other transfer documents

A bill of sale is one tool in a small family of transfer documents, and it helps to know how it relates to the others.

The closest cousin is a motorcycle or vehicle bill of sale. The structure is nearly identical, just with a VIN instead of a HIN and no trailer line. If you've ever sold a car or motorcycle privately, a boat sale will feel familiar. The main differences are the HIN, the separately titled trailer, and the outboard motor's serial number.

A bill of sale is also distinct from a lease or rental agreement, which transfers temporary use rather than ownership, and from a service or management agreement, which covers ongoing care of a boat rather than its sale. Knowing which document you actually need saves you from using the wrong one.

For a closely related transfer, see our Motorcycle Bill of Sale Template.
Unsure whether you even need one? Read Do You Need a Bill of Sale When Selling Your Vehicle?.
If you're keeping the boat and arranging upkeep instead of selling, see our guide to a Boat Management Service Agreement.
For leasing rather than selling a vessel or vehicle, the Vehicle Lease Agreement Template covers the same fundamentals.

A quick checklist before you sign

Run through this list before either party puts pen to paper:

Full legal names and addresses for buyer and seller
Make, model, year, length, and hull material of the boat
HIN copied directly off the transom
Current registration number and title number (if titled)
Motor make, model, horsepower, and serial number
Trailer make, year, and VIN (if included)
Purchase price in numbers and words
As-is clause and any disclosures
Notarization, if your state requires it
Two signed originals, one per party

If every box is checked, you have a document that will hold up at the registration desk and in a dispute.

Related guides

Generate Your Boat Bill of Sale with Contractable

A boat bill of sale isn't complicated, but getting every identifier right, the HIN, the motor serial, the trailer VIN, the as-is language, and your state's notarization rule, is where private sellers slip up. Contractable generates a complete, properly structured boat bill of sale in seconds, with the right fields for the vessel, motor, and trailer and clauses tailored to your sale. No lawyers or legal knowledge required.