Should really say "acquiring", as it was offered to me by a co-worker free of charge. Only problem is that he lost the title sometime in the 10 years he has owned it. Is this going to be a difficult task? Should I even bother? Or just take it as "Since it was free, anything will be less than buying one."?

Thanks in advance.

Towmotor

If you are not putting a motor on it or if you are using it in non patrolled waters then no need to register.  At least that is the way it is here in FL.

I didn't have a title when I got my boat and I told them there wasn't a HIN on the boat. So the lady told me that jon boats made before 1980 didn't have HIN. She said to leave and go have lunch and come back tell her that the boat was made before 1979 so she could make a new title and no problems since. Got a new title and registered the boat. Try to go that route just tell them the boat is really old, they didn't even want a picture of mine, from like 1973 and you should be good to go.

Of course state laws vary, but if he "lost" the title that was in his name I don't think that it would be a very big deal to get a duplicate.  If he

"lost" the title that was in another persons name then it will probably be a lot more complicated, if not impossible to title it.

Update:

Vince (guy with boat) just told me he's had the boat for about twenty years, lost title ten years ago, and that he got it used. Also told me I can have oars, life jackets (probably no good?) some other odds and ends and a trolling motor. He did say that there is a spot where it was epoxied on the bottom that might need to be redone. I'm thinking I'm gonna do it..................

towmotor

Just ask him for a bill of sale and put it in your tackel box..then if you get pulled over on the water show that and then they can deal with it that way if anything happens it comes back on him.

Call your license branch

All you need to know.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqregt.htm

AWESOME! Thanks a ton.

Towmotor

Just ask him for a bill of sale and put it in your tackel box..then if you get pulled over on the water show that and then they can deal with it that way if anything happens it comes back on him.

It doesn't work like that.  You are in possession of the boat.  If you are in waters that require a registration, you'll need to resolve the title issue and get one.  

Just ask him for a bill of sale and put it in your tackel box..then if you get pulled over on the water show that and then they can deal with it that way if anything happens it comes back on him.

It doesn't work like that. You are in possession of the boat. If you are in waters that require a registration, you'll need to resolve the title issue and get one.

Where I use my boat thats what they do....as long as you have proof that you bought it from someone and their siginature and adress then your safe.

What state is that??

I am in Canada.

Buying a Used Boat-Canada:

When you buy a used "licensed" boat, you must transfer the license by taking it with a "bill of sale" signed by the previous owner and the completed transfer form (reverse side of Pleasure Craft License form) to the nearest licensing office (refer to the blue pages in your telephone directory for the office nearest to you). If a used boat has no license, license number or registration papers, read Transport Canada "Marine Safety" for information.

If you go read the marine safety section, you'll see what you have to do if you bought a boat w/o license or registration but if it was once a search and rescue boat, I guarantee it already has paperwork for it.  If this boat was sold off by a police/fire dept, the license would have gone with it.   You need to find out why it didn't.  Something is fishy there.

                                                                                                                                   

but regardless, ....YOU NEED TO HAVE A LICENSE OR REGISTRATION FOR YOUR VESSEL

wrong...anything with a motor bigger then 9.9 must be regestered. just called.

All pleasure craft measuring 12 metres or less and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kW) or more must be licensed or registered. Licensing is the normal choice for a pleasure craft. Legally and cost-wise, licensing and registration are very different legally, as well as your time and cost. A licensed boat is marked with "numbers", a registered boat with a "name and port". License requirements are listed in the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act.

same site you got that thing of yours from.

I see you in Pa. yes you are going to need a tital. he can call the pa fosh and boat comminsion and they can send him a new one. you need it to be registered, and if its not registered you can not use it on any state body of water powered or non powered, TM or gas.. does he still have the owners card. back in the late 90 is when Pa started issuing tital for boats. he might have had his befor ethat and only have a owners card. I bought both of my boat before then and asked ti state tio issue me tital a few years ago. like I said you need one or you can not use it in pa. have him call the Pa boat fish commision. its not that hard.

If you do not do it correctly it will be your responsible for the fines. No one else. If there is no title there is a reason and you need to research the issue. If the boat belongs to someone else they can take possesion at any time, reguardless of the story.

Well, after reading the link Team_Dougherty posted, I figure it will be easy/cheap enough to just do it the right way regardless of the laws in Canada.     The only reason I'd go up there anyway is to catch a Habs game or go to the Hockey HOF. Though I have also heard good things about the strip clubs in Montreal.  

At any rate, thanks for all the input and advice. Greatly appreciated.

BTW, sweet Jon, LBH!

Towmotor

I see you in Pa. yes you are going to need a tital. he can call the pa fosh and boat comminsion and they can send him a new one. you need it to be registered, and if its not registered you can not use it on any state body of water powered or non powered, TM or gas.. does he still have the owners card. back in the late 90 is when Pa started issuing tital for boats. he might have had his befor ethat and only have a owners card. I bought both of my boat before then and asked ti state tio issue me tital a few years ago. like I said you need one or you can not use it in pa. have him call the Pa boat fish commision. its not that hard.

Not all boat in PA need a title.

http://www.fish.state.pa.us/faqregt.htm#1

My 12' does not have a title. My 16' does.