Where do I find the Hull Identification Number (HIN)?

The HIN is a permanently affixed 12-character alphanumeric code required on all boats manufactured after November 1, 1972. It is typically located on the upper starboard (right) side of the transom (the back of the boat). A duplicate HIN may also be hidden inside the boat (often under a fitting or in an interior compartment) as an anti-theft measure. The HIN should also appear on the boat's title and registration documents. If the HIN on the boat does not match the title, do not complete the purchase without investigating further — this could indicate a stolen vessel.

What is included in a boat sale — just the hull?

A boat sale typically includes the hull, all permanently attached fixtures and equipment, and the engine unless otherwise specified. It does not automatically include electronics, fishing equipment, life jackets, anchors, dock lines, or other removable accessories unless these are specifically listed in the bill of sale as included. Be specific about what is and is not included to avoid disputes. If a trailer is included, list it separately with its VIN.

How do I sell a boat that still has a loan on it?

If you owe money on the boat, the lender holds a lien on the title. You cannot give the buyer a clean title until the lien is released. The most common approach is to use the sale proceeds to pay off the loan at closing — either at the lender's office, through an escrow service, or by coordinating a simultaneous payoff and title release. Never sell a boat with an undisclosed lien — this is fraud and can expose you to criminal liability. The buyer should not pay the full purchase price until they have received evidence of lien release.

Do I need to notarize a boat bill of sale?

Notarization requirements for boat bills of sale vary by state. Some states (including Florida, for boats requiring a title) require notarization. Even where not required, notarization adds legal weight and makes the document harder to challenge as forged or fraudulent. For boats worth more than a few thousand dollars, notarization is recommended as a best practice.

What is the difference between a state-registered boat and a USCG-documented vessel?

Most recreational boats under 25 net tons are registered with the state boating agency (similar to motor vehicle registration) and display a state registration number on the hull. Boats over 25 net tons, or any boat used in commerce or on navigable US waters, may be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard instead of state-registered. USCG documentation provides federal recognition of ownership (useful for international travel) and can be required by lenders for maritime mortgages. USCG-documented vessels require a specific USCG bill of sale form and must file a change of documentation with the USCG. This template is designed for state-registered recreational vessels; for USCG-documented vessels, use the USCG's official bill of sale form.

Free Boat Bill of Sale Template — Fill Out & Download Instantly

Free — No Sign-Up RequiredPDF & WordUpdated April 7, 2026

A boat bill of sale is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of a boat or watercraft from a seller to a buyer. It documents the identities of both parties, a description of the vessel (including the Hull Identification Number), the engine details, whether a trailer is included, the sale price, payment method, and the date of the transfer.

⚠️ Legal Disclaimer: This template is attorney-reviewed and built to US legal standards. It does not substitute for professional legal advice. For complex situations, we recommend consulting a licensed attorney.

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State*

The state where the transaction takes place — determines registration and title transfer requirements

Seller's Full Legal Name*

Must match the name on the current boat title

Seller's Address*

Buyer's Full Legal Name*

Buyer's Address*

Year, make, model, color, and HIN

Boat Year*

Make / Manufacturer*

Model*

Hull Color*

Hull Identification Number (HIN)*

12-character HIN located on the transom (upper right corner). Required for all boats manufactured after 1972.

Engine Make*

Engine Horsepower*

Engine Serial Number*

Trailer is included in this sale

Vessel Condition*

Engine Hours

Hours shown on the boat's hour meter, if available

Sale Price ($)*

Payment Method*

Date of Sale*

MM/DD/YYYY

There is an outstanding lien on this vessel

Include warranty disclaimer — Sell vessel "as-is" with no express or implied warranties

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BOAT / WATERCRAFT BILL OF SALE

This Bill of Sale ("Agreement") is made on [Date of Sale], by and between:

SELLER:

[Seller's Full Legal Name]

[Seller's Address]

BUYER:

[Buyer's Full Legal Name]

[Buyer's Address]

Governing State: [State]

1. DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

The Seller hereby sells, transfers, and conveys to the Buyer the following described vessel (the "Vessel"):

Year: [Boat Year]

Make / Manufacturer: [Make / Manufacturer]

Model: [Model]

Hull Color: [Hull Color]

Hull Identification No.: [Hull Identification Number (HIN)]

Engine Make: [Engine Make]

Engine Horsepower: [Engine Horsepower]

Engine Serial No.: [Engine Serial Number]

Engine Hours: Unknown / No hour meter

Condition: [Vessel Condition]

2. PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT

The Buyer agrees to pay the Seller a total purchase price of $[Sale Price ($)] for the Vessel described above.

Payment Method: [Payment Method].

The Seller acknowledges receipt of the full purchase price upon execution of this Bill of Sale.

3. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

Upon receipt of the full purchase price, the Seller hereby transfers and conveys to the Buyer all right, title, and interest in and to the Vessel. The Seller warrants that they are the lawful owner of the Vessel, that the Vessel is free and clear of all liens and encumbrances (except as disclosed below), and that the Seller has the legal right to sell and transfer the Vessel.

4. LIEN DISCLOSURE

Seller represents and warrants that the Vessel is free and clear of all liens, security interests, and encumbrances, and that no person or entity has any claim against the Vessel.

5. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER — AS-IS SALE

THE VESSEL IS SOLD "AS-IS" AND "WHERE-IS," WITH ALL FAULTS AND DEFECTS, WHETHER KNOWN OR UNKNOWN. SELLER MAKES NO WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. BUYER HAS HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO INSPECT THE VESSEL AND ACCEPTS IT IN ITS CURRENT CONDITION. ALL RISK AS TO THE CONDITION, SEAWORTHINESS, AND PERFORMANCE OF THE VESSEL PASSES TO BUYER AS OF THE DATE OF THIS BILL OF SALE.

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

6.1 Governing Law. This Bill of Sale is governed by the laws of the State of [State].

6.2 Seller's Representation. Seller represents that the Vessel has not been reported stolen, is not currently subject to a maritime lien (beyond what is disclosed above), and that the HIN set forth above is accurate to the best of Seller's knowledge.

6.3 Entire Agreement. This Bill of Sale constitutes the entire agreement between the parties and supersedes all prior oral or written representations.

6.4 Counterparts. This Bill of Sale may be executed in counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Boat Bill of Sale as of the date written above.

SELLER:

_________________________________________

[Seller's Full Legal Name]

Date: ______________________________________

BUYER:

_________________________________________

[Buyer's Full Legal Name]

Date: ______________________________________

NOTARY ACKNOWLEDGMENT (Recommended; required in some states)

STATE OF [State]

COUNTY OF ____________________________

Before me personally appeared [Seller's Full Legal Name] and [Buyer's Full Legal Name], known to me or proved by satisfactory evidence, and acknowledged this Bill of Sale as their free and voluntary act.

_________________________________________

Notary Public

My Commission Expires: ___________________

Document Completeness0%

State*

The state where the transaction takes place — determines registration and title transfer requirements

Seller's Full Legal Name*

Must match the name on the current boat title

Seller's Address*

Buyer's Full Legal Name*

Buyer's Address*

Year, make, model, color, and HIN

Boat Year*

Make / Manufacturer*

Model*

Hull Color*

Hull Identification Number (HIN)*

12-character HIN located on the transom (upper right corner). Required for all boats manufactured after 1972.

Engine Make*

Engine Horsepower*

Engine Serial Number*

Trailer is included in this sale

Vessel Condition*

Engine Hours

Hours shown on the boat's hour meter, if available

Sale Price ($)*

Payment Method*

Date of Sale*

MM/DD/YYYY

There is an outstanding lien on this vessel

Include warranty disclaimer — Sell vessel "as-is" with no express or implied warranties

What Is a Boat Bill of Sale?

When Do You Need It?

You need a boat bill of sale whenever you buy or sell a boat, watercraft, or personal watercraft (PWC) in a private sale. Most states require a bill of sale along with a signed title to complete the registration transfer at the state boating agency or DMV. If the boat is documented by the U.S.

What's Included in This Template

Seller and buyer full legal names and addresses
Boat year, make, model, and color
Hull Identification Number (HIN)
Engine make, horsepower, and serial number
Trailer details and trailer VIN (if included)
Vessel condition and odometer/hours
Sale price and payment method
Date of sale
Lien disclosure
Warranty disclaimer / as-is clause
Seller and buyer signature blocks

How to Fill It Out

Enter Seller and Buyer Information — Enter the full legal names and addresses of both the seller and the buyer. The seller's name must match the name on the existing boat title.

Describe the Boat — Enter the boat's year, make, model, color, and Hull Identification Number (HIN). The HIN is a 12-character number permanently affixed to the transom of the boat. It is required for all boats manufactured after 1972.

Enter Engine and Trailer Details — Enter the engine make, horsepower, and serial number. If a trailer is included in the sale, enable the trailer section and enter the trailer's VIN.

Set Sale Terms and Disclosures — Enter the condition, engine hours, sale price, and payment method. If there is an outstanding lien on the boat, enable the lien section. Enable the warranty disclaimer to sell the boat as-is.

Sign and Complete the Transfer — Both parties should sign the completed bill of sale. Bring the signed bill of sale and the signed title to your state boating agency to complete the registration transfer.

Legal Requirements & Notes

Boat bills of sale are governed by state boating laws, the UCC, and federal maritime law. Key considerations:

Hull Identification Number (HIN): The HIN is the maritime equivalent of a VIN. All boats manufactured after 1972 are required by federal law (33 C.F.R. Part 181) to have a permanently affixed HIN. The HIN should be verified against the title and the physical number on the transom before completing the sale. A mismatched or altered HIN may indicate a stolen vessel.

State Registration vs. USCG Documentation: Most recreational boats are registered with the state boating agency (similar to vehicle registration). Boats over 25 net tons, used in commerce, or on navigable waters of the US may be documented with the U.S. Coast Guard instead. USCG documentation requires a USCG-specific bill of sale form. Check whether your vessel is state-registered or USCG-documented.

Trailer Registration: If a trailer is included in the sale, it requires a separate title transfer in most states. The trailer's VIN and the trailer's title should be handled separately from the boat.

Maritime Liens: Unlike liens on motor vehicles (which are shown on the title), maritime liens can arise without being recorded anywhere — anyone who performs work on a vessel may have a maritime lien. Buyers of larger vessels should consider a maritime lien search before closing.

Sales Tax: Most states impose sales tax on boat purchases. The buyer is responsible for paying sales tax at the time of registration. Some states allow private sales to qualify for lower tax rates or exemptions under certain conditions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, in most states a bill of sale is required along with the signed title to transfer boat registration at the state boating agency or DMV. The bill of sale documents the sale price (which determines sales tax), the date of transfer, and the identities of both parties. Even in states where a separate bill of sale is not required, having one protects both the buyer and seller by creating a clear record of the transaction and when ownership transferred.

Free Boat Bill of Sale Template — Fill Out & Download Instantly

BOAT / WATERCRAFT BILL OF SALE

SELLER:

BUYER:

1. DESCRIPTION OF VESSEL

2. PURCHASE PRICE AND PAYMENT

3. TRANSFER OF OWNERSHIP

4. LIEN DISCLOSURE

5. WARRANTY DISCLAIMER — AS-IS SALE

6. GENERAL PROVISIONS

SELLER:

BUYER:

What Is a Boat Bill of Sale?

When Do You Need It?

What's Included in This Template

How to Fill It Out

Legal Requirements & Notes

Frequently Asked Questions

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