Boat bill of sale template
A boat bill of sale records the sale of a vessel, its motors and usually its trailer: who sold it, who bought it, exactly what changed hands and for how much. This template covers the hull identification number, registration or documentation number, engines, trailer, included gear, the price and an as-is clause. Read it below, then pair it with your state's title or registration paperwork.
Updated November 5, 2026 · 3 min read
The contract
Gray blanks are yours to fill in before you send. Each signer fills in the blanks in their color.
- You, before sending
- Seller
- Buyer
Boat Bill of Sale
1. Seller and buyer
Seller: Seller name, Seller address, phone Seller phone (the "Seller"). Buyer: Buyer name, Buyer address, phone Buyer phone (the "Buyer").
2. The vessel
The Seller sells, and the Buyer buys, the following (together, the "Boat"):
- Builder, model and year: Builder model and year. Length: Length. Hull material: Hull material
- Hull identification number (HIN): HIN
- State registration or title number: Registration number. Coast Guard documentation number, if documented: Documentation number
- Vessel name, if any: Vessel name
3. Engines
- Engine 1 make, model and horsepower: Engine 1 model. Serial number: Engine 1 serial number. Approximate hours: Engine 1 hours
- Engine 2 make, model and horsepower: Engine 2 model. Serial number: Engine 2 serial number. Approximate hours: Engine 2 hours
4. Trailer and equipment
Trailer included, if any (make, year, VIN or serial number, plate): Trailer details. Equipment included with the Boat: Equipment included. Anything not listed, including personal items aboard, is not part of the sale and will be removed by the Seller before delivery.
5. Price and payment
The purchase price is Purchase price. The Buyer pays a deposit of Deposit on signing, and the balance by Payment method at delivery. The Seller will not deliver the Boat or sign over the title or documentation until the full price has been received and has cleared.
6. Sea trial and survey
The Buyer may arrange a sea trial and a marine survey at the Buyer's cost by Survey deadline. The Seller will make the Boat available for both. If the Buyer gives the Seller written notice by that date that the Boat is not acceptable, this sale is canceled and the deposit is returned in full. If the Buyer gives no notice by that date, the Boat is accepted.
7. Condition: sold as is
Apart from the statements in this document, the Boat, engines, trailer and equipment are sold AS IS, with all faults, and the Seller makes no warranty, express or implied, about their condition or fitness for any purpose. Known problems the Seller has disclosed: Known problems. This does not protect the Seller from liability for a problem the Seller knew about and concealed.
8. Ownership and liens
The Seller owns the Boat and has the right to sell it. It is free of all liens, mortgages and claims, except one held by Lienholder, which the Seller will pay off at or before delivery and have released. The Seller will sign whatever title, registration or Coast Guard forms are needed to transfer ownership to the Buyer.
9. Delivery and after the sale
The Boat will be delivered on Delivery date at Delivery location, with keys, manuals and any maintenance records. Risk of loss passes to the Buyer at delivery. The Buyer will register or title the Boat and trailer, pay any sales or use tax and fees, and arrange insurance. Any slip, mooring or storage contract stays with the Seller unless the marina agrees to transfer it.
10. General terms
This is the full agreement about the sale of the Boat. It is governed by the laws of the state of State and may be signed electronically. It does not replace any title, registration or Coast Guard form needed to record the transfer.
I had the chance to inspect, sea trial and survey the Boat, and I accept it as is on the terms above.
Seller
Buyer
Opens it in SignMaster as a template you can edit and send.
A starting point, not legal advice. Have a lawyer review it for your state and situation.
On this page
Why boats need more detail than cars
A boat sale is often three sales at once: the hull, one or more engines with their own serial numbers, and a trailer that many states title or register as a vehicle. Then there's the gear: electronics, safety equipment, covers, a dinghy. A bill of sale that just says "boat" invites an argument about whether the fish finder or the spare prop was included.
The ownership paperwork depends on the boat. Most recreational boats are titled or registered with the state, and the state's own transfer form controls. Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard transfer through its National Vessel Documentation Center, which has its own bill of sale form, CG-1340. Use this template as the sale contract either way.
What the template covers
- Seller and buyer, with addresses and phone numbers.
- The hull: builder, model, year, length, hull material and the 12-character hull identification number (HIN).
- Registration: the state registration or title number, or the Coast Guard documentation number.
- Engines: make, model, horsepower, serial numbers and approximate hours for each.
- Trailer: included or not, with its VIN or serial number and plate.
- Included gear: electronics, safety equipment, covers, a tender and anything else that goes with the boat.
- Price, deposit and a survey window: time for a sea trial and marine survey before the balance is due.
- As-is sale and liens: the buyer accepts the condition after inspection, and the seller confirms there are no liens or names the lender.
Mistakes to avoid
- Not matching the HIN. Check that the number on the transom matches the title or registration before anyone signs; a mismatch can stall registration.
- Forgetting the trailer's paperwork. In many states a trailer needs its own title or registration transfer.
- Selling a documented vessel on state paperwork only. The Coast Guard documentation needs its own transfer, or the buyer's ownership won't be on record.
- Skipping the survey. For anything bigger than a small runabout, a marine survey and sea trial before the final payment protect both sides.
- Leaving a loan in place. If there's a preferred ship mortgage or a state lien, arrange the payoff and release as part of the closing.
How to send it with SignMaster
- 1
Open the template
Choose Use this template above. The seller signs first and the buyer second.
- 2
Describe the boat and gear
Fill in the gray blanks: HIN, registration or documentation number, engines, trailer and the gear list. The more specific you are, the fewer arguments at the dock.
- 3
Set the survey window
If the buyer wants a survey or sea trial, enter the deadline and the deposit. The sale goes ahead only if the buyer accepts the boat by that date.
- 4
Sign at the dock or from afar
Buyer in another state? Email the link and they sign on their phone. Meeting at the marina? Use Sign in person and both sign on one device.
- 5
Finish the transfer
Both of you get the signed PDF. Take it, with the signed title or registration and any Coast Guard forms, to complete the transfer.
Brokers and dealers selling several boats can save it as a template and send each sale from it, or use bulk send at the end of a season, with columns such as HIN and Purchase price filling each buyer's copy.
Questions? Answers.
Is a boat bill of sale the same as a title?
No. The bill of sale records the deal; the state title, registration or Coast Guard documentation records ownership. You'll usually need the bill of sale to transfer those.
Can I use this for a Coast Guard documented vessel?
As your sale contract, yes. To transfer the documentation, the National Vessel Documentation Center has its own bill of sale form and filing process, so complete those too.
Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Some states require a notarized bill of sale or title for boats and many don't. Check with your state's boat registration agency before closing, and sign on paper in front of a notary if it's required.
Should the trailer be on the same bill of sale?
It can be, and this template includes it. Some states still want the trailer's title or registration transferred separately.