A boat bill of sale is a written record that a boat passed from a seller to a buyer. It works for a vessel with or without a motor. List the price of any outboard motor or trailer on its own line. Have both sides sign once the buyer has paid and the seller has handed over the boat.
Last Updated: October 2026. This guide is reviewed and updated regularly to reflect current law. If you notice an error or outdated information, please contact us.
A boat bill of sale is the written proof that a boat was sold, by whom, to whom, for how much, and on what date. Many state agencies ask the buyer to show one when registering the boat. The seller keeps a copy as proof that the boat left their hands.
After the sale, the buyer registers the boat and, where the state titles boats, transfers the title. States set a deadline for this, so the buyer should not wait. Rules differ from state to state, so check your state in the list above.
The bill of sale also describes the boat, which helps if the two sides later disagree about what was sold. The description usually covers:
Two things a bill of sale does not do. Where boats are titled, it does not replace the title, because the signed-over title is what transfers ownership. It also does not clear a lien, so check for one before you pay.
You can use the same form for a canoe, fishing boat, yacht, cabin cruiser, sailboat, or kayak. For a personal watercraft, there is also a jet ski bill of sale.
| Document Name | Boat Bill of Sale Form |
| Other Names | Vessel Bill of Sale, Watercraft Bill of Sale |
| Avg. Time to Fill Out | 14 minutes |
| # of Fillable Fields | 79 |
| Available Formats | Adobe PDF; Microsoft Word |
Yes. Download the free form as a PDF or Word file, or answer a few questions in the online builder. Either way, you fill in the buyer and seller, the boat, the price and the terms, then print the form and sign it.
A lawyer costs more than the other two options, and you need the price, names and boat details ready before you meet. For a simple sale of one boat, the free form is the quicker route.
To sell a boat, clean it, gather its papers, set a price, list it, show it to buyers, and agree on terms. Then both sides sign a bill of sale once the boat is paid for. The six steps below take you through the sale in order.
Step 1. Make Your Boat Look Presentable
Buyers judge a boat by how it looks, so get it into good shape before you show it. Work from the inside out:
Small flaws are often cheap to fix. For bigger ones, weigh the cost of the repair against what it adds to the price.
Step 2. Collect the Boat's Documents
Besides the bill of sale, sellers normally hand over a set of papers. Have these ready before the buyer arrives:
Step 3. Decide on the Price
Set the selling price before you list the boat. Pricing guides and listings of similar boats give a range, and these points help you place yours in it:
Step 4. Put Your Boat Up For Sale
Next, decide whether you want a broker's help. You have two options when listing the boat:
1. Hiring a broker. Brokers mostly take higher-value boats and work for a commission. A broker lists the boat and shows it to buyers for you.
2. Selling it yourself. Cheaper boats usually sell privately. Places to list one include:
Step 5. Show the Boat to Potential Customers
Buyers want to step aboard and see the boat for themselves. A boat on a mooring is hard to show, because you have to lift people on and off every time. If you can, show it at a dock so buyers see how it sits in the water.
If docking is not possible, show the boat on land. Parking it on a trailer or a stand is the next best option and costs little.
Step 6. Discuss the Sale
Once someone is interested, sit down and talk through the price and the terms. Buyers often ask for a lower price, so decide ahead whether you would accept, refuse, or make a counteroffer.
When you reach an agreement, settle how the buyer will pay. Sellers usually prefer cash or a certified check. With a check, you can meet the buyer at their bank to confirm it clears. Once you have the money, hand over the paperwork and the keys.
A boat bill of sale records who sold the boat, who bought it, which boat it was, the price, and the date of the sale. The steps below follow the form written by our specialists, from top to bottom. Some agencies publish their own form, so check your state in the list above before you fill one out.
Forms differ by state, but a boat bill of sale usually records:
Copy the hull identification number (HIN) exactly from the boat. It should match the title and the registration.
Step 1: Specify the document's creation date.
Step 2: Type in the buyer's and seller's particulars:
Step 3: Fill in the details regarding the boat that you are trying to sell.
Also say whether the boat comes with a trailer or motors. If it does, fill in the matching fields. For a trailer, enter:
For each motor, enter:
Step 4: Say how the seller will be paid for the boat.
Type in the transaction date and the total amount to be paid for the boat. Then choose one selling method:
Next, choose one payment method, unless you chose the gift option:
Finally, say whether the price includes all applicable taxes.
Step 5: Read through the miscellaneous terms.
The as-is clause means the seller gives no warranties and is not responsible for upkeep after the transfer.
Step 6: Put your signature(s) in the corresponding areas.
The seller always signs the bill of sale. Some states also want the buyer's signature, so have both sides sign. You can also have one or more witnesses confirm the sale.
Step 7: Add a notary acknowledgment if you want one or your state asks for it.
Many states do not require notarization. Some ask for a notarized or witnessed bill of sale in certain cases, so check your state in the list above. A notary can also add protection if a dispute comes up later.
Some agencies want the original bill of sale and others accept a copy, so the buyer should keep the original. As the seller, keep a copy for your records, or sign two identical forms so each side has one.
General information, not legal or tax advice.
