Boat and Trailer No Title

[DFA]

I found a little boat and trailer i would like to buy, but guy doesn't have the title for either. How hard would it be to get it legal to where I could take it on public waters if I want.

[Sparkles]

I think that will depend on why he does not have title. If it is just lost than not too bad.

[Ouch]

Shouldn't be any trouble. Just have to apply for new title at TPWD (boat) and tax ***/coll (trailer) and they'll run the #s to make sure it's not stolen.

[Baygall]

If the boat is in the sellers name, he will have to file for the lost titles. If it's not in his name, it will be all most impossible unless you can contact the person whose name the boat was originally titled in. That person would have to file for it. I speak from experience on this one!

[hunterman]

It can be the biggest pain in the butt

[Zen Archery]

It can be the biggest pain in the butt

ive had a boat for 2 years that i am still trying to get registered. figured out a loop hole on the trailer though. that took less then 20 minutes.

[DFA]

Well, it sounds like I had better keep looking for one with a title for all 3...boat/motor/trailer

[bowhntrmatt]

Call TPWD will serial numbers of boat and motor. They will tell you if they have ever been titled before. If they have not, then it is possible to do it if you don't mind hours of paperwork and lots of fees. If they have been titled, and not by the seller, DO NOT BUY!
Trailer is easy. Re-register as homemade.

[Ouch]

Surprised to hear folks have had so much trouble with this. I titled a boat I bought from a buddy years ago. No trouble at all. Guess i got lucky.

[Brushpopper]

Just need TX # for boat. and licence plate # on trailer.And a signed afadavid.

[DRT]

If the boat is in the sellers name, he will have to file for the lost titles. If it's not in his name, it will be all most impossible unless you can contact the person whose name the boat was originally titled in. That person would have to file for it. I speak from experience on this one!

If you think the DMV is bad you haven't dealt with TPWD. They are the biggest jerks on transferal issues. Sometimes it seems they do it just to see you take off work early multiple days to make fruitless trips to their offices.

[bowhntrmatt]

Surprised to hear folks have had so much trouble with this. I titled a boat I bought from a buddy years ago. No trouble at all. Guess i got lucky.

IF the boat was never titled in the past, it isnt't that difficult to do. It is when it is titled and the title holder is some unknown person that makes it nearly impossible to jump through all the loopholes.

[Olphart]

Yeah, what Baygall and Hunterman said. If the registered owner can be tracked down, he still doesn't have to sign it and you will be stuck with a boat you can't use. To me, its a red flag when someone doesn't transfer the title of a vehicle/boat to their name.

[cashbuck]

Mechanics / Storage lein

[kellyg]

The TPWD told me directly that you are supposed to surrender the boat to law enforcement if there is no title.