Getting title for boat

[BlindHog]

I am looking at a boat for sale. Owner says he doesnt have title. Says its a salvaged boat, looks great in picture (this is just a little 12' skiff.) I can get it for a song so dont worry about the boat itself. My question is about getting a title. I would be running this with a motor so I do need registration (and therefore title.)

Called the tag office and they said, "Salvage or not, he has to have the title for us to get you a title." She did not sound like the sharpest knife in the drawer, so I wanted to test this info with you experts. The seller says in the ad he can give a bill of sale to help with getting the title, but the clerk said that wouldnt help.

I know I have seen boats for sale many times where owner says "no title" so how in the world can this ever be solved if indeed this person is correct?

Thanks for any help you can give.

[Barhopr]

title as home built

[Reel Cowboy]

title as home built

Word.
I know I guy that sells cars on the side and he's been known to do that from time to time on some of those. Junkyards don't keep titles.

[Second Chance]

Be careful. I'm sure the lowlife that stole my 12' G3, and probably sold it, had a good explanation why he couldn't provide a title either

[Barhopr]

Sounds suspicious to me. Just saw that the guy said it was a salvage. If so, it will still have a title just a salvage title. If it's salvaged you may not be able to get insurance on it.

[tin can]

title as home built

Not so easy any more. Before it can be titled as home built it has to be inspected by FWC to check that is actually home built, meets safety standards, and isn't a stolen boat. Alabama is a little more lenient. They'll title it if you have a bill of sale. Title it in Alabama, then transfer it to Fl.

[Reel Cowboy]

Title it in Alabama, then transfer it to Fl.

Wish words.

[tin can]

You can also get an affidavit from the previous owner. If you don't know who the previous owner is, the tag office can search it by the registration number.

[Team Bad Company]

I went through all of that bs with a stupid little old jon boat. I went and tried everything at each tax collectors office in town. The previous ownen ended up finding the old registration card and he signed off that he had lost the title and sold me the boat. Other than that i was hopeless. Good luck.

[flounderpounder]

I have titled before as home built with no problems, but that was 10 years ago.

[jsuber]

Buy a kayak. Its cheaper too.