When buying or selling a used boat it is important to use a boat bill of sale form. A bill of sale form provides the seller with proof that the new owner is now legally responsible for the boat. For the buyer, a bill of sale form is proof of purchase that the boat is theirs.

When completing a bill of sale form, it is advisable to include the following;

1. the name and current address of the purchaser.
2. the name and current address of the seller.
3. a thorough description of the boat, as well as the make, model and hull identification number.
4. the amount of money paid for the boat.
5. the time and date of sale.
6. the signatures of both the buyer and the seller.

Most states in the US will ask you to produce a boat bill of sale form before you can register the boat in your name. It is probable that each state may have varying requirements by which the registration occurs, but the basic information listed above is common to all states and required everywhere.

When correctly documented, a bill of sale form protects both the buyer and the seller. The seller now has written evidence if the date at which the sale occurred and the title was transferred. Any fines incurred or monies owed on the boat after this date now become the responsibility of the new owner. Similarly the purchaser is protected as they can document the date at which they obtained ownership of the vessel and any problems that occurred before that date can be shown to be the result of the previous owners actions.

It is advised that every boat or other watercraft sold privately be documented using a bill of sale form.