Choose Your Boat Bill of Sale Type

A warranty bill of sale means the seller warrants clear title and that the vessel — hull, motor, trailer, and equipment as listed — matches its described condition, including any disclosed defects. The seller can be held liable if those promises prove false. An as-is bill of sale means the buyer accepts the boat in its current condition with all faults, known or unknown. The seller makes no promises about condition (the warranty of title still stands), and the buyer assumes the condition risk. As-is sales typically reflect lower prices due to this increased risk.

Use warranty if you have maintenance records, the vessel has been recently surveyed, all systems are operational, and you have clear title. This is standard for well-maintained boats under 20 years old. Use as-is if the boat is older, needs significant repairs, has been stored for years, you inherited it without knowing its condition, or it has structural issues. As-is protects sellers from liability for unknown problems, but expect buyers to request a marine survey or negotiate a substantially lower price.

A boat bill of sale typically includes: buyer and seller names and addresses, Hull Identification Number (HIN) or registration number, make/model/year, length, engine details, purchase price and payment method, sale date, warranty terms or as-is statement, and signatures of both parties. A Coast Guard–documented vessel also needs the federal CG-1340 bill of sale for its federal ownership record. State-specific requirements are covered in your state's instruction rider.

Your state kit pairs the bill of sale with an instruction rider listing your vessel agency's exact steps — whether your state titles boats or registers them only, the tax due, and how a lien is recorded or released. The bill of sale documents the sale; the rider walks you through your agency's process.

Notarization requirements vary by state — a few states require a notarized bill of sale for vessel transfers. Every kit includes a notary block, and your state's instruction rider flags whether you need it. Even when optional, notarization adds proof of signature on high-value boats.

Yes. The kit is a fillable Word document — click the blanks and type, or print and complete by hand; it prints clean either way. Fillable fields work best in Microsoft Word (they fall back to plain text in Google Docs or LibreOffice). Your download link arrives instantly after purchase — no delays, no subscriptions.

State registration or titling is required for most recreational boats and is handled by your state's vessel agency (DMV, DNR, or equivalent). Coast Guard documentation is the federal registry for vessels of at least 5 net tons (roughly 26+ feet). A documented vessel transfers its federal ownership record on the federal CG-1340 bill of sale filed with the National Vessel Documentation Center; a state bill of sale can still document the private-sale terms between the parties, and some states separately require registration of documented vessels.

With an as-is sale, the buyer generally has no legal recourse for defects discovered after purchase - this is the purpose of the as-is clause. However, the seller can still be held liable for: (1) actively concealing known major defects like hull damage or engine failure (fraud), (2) misrepresenting the Hull ID Number or vessel specifications, (3) failing to disclose salvage or total loss history when required by state law, or (4) lying about ownership or lien status. The key is honest disclosure - an as-is sale protects sellers from unknown problems, not from deliberate deception. Always document known issues in writing.

Absolutely yes - when buying any boat as-is, always hire a certified marine surveyor to inspect the vessel before purchase. A marine survey typically costs $15-25 per foot ($300-750 for most boats) and can save you tens of thousands by identifying hull damage, engine problems, electrical issues, osmotic blistering (fiberglass boats), or hidden structural defects. Most reputable sellers will allow a survey; if a seller refuses, walk away. Many insurance companies and lenders also require a recent survey. A survey doesn't change the as-is nature of the sale, but it helps you negotiate a fair price and avoid buying a disaster.

Yes, both types are widely used in every state. The choice between warranty and as-is is a decision about risk allocation, not about legality. Warranty sales are standard for newer, well-maintained vessels; as-is sales are common for older boats, project vessels, or estate sales. Both must include accurate information (Hull ID Number, vessel specifications, known defects, lien status) to be enforceable. Both versions are attorney-drafted; your state's rider covers title or registration, tax, and lien recording, and Coast Guard–documented vessels also require the federal CG-1340 bill of sale for the federal record.

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Yes — the form works for powerboats, sailboats, yachts, fishing boats, pontoon boats, jet skis, and other personal watercraft; just update the vessel description and specifications, and check your state's rider for title vs. registration-only specifics. Coast Guard–documented vessels also need the federal CG-1340 for the federal ownership record. For motor vehicles like cars or trucks, explore our motor vehicle comparison page .