Boat Bill of Sale Form
From jon boats to cabin cruisers, a vessel sale runs on three numbers: the hull ID, the motor serial, and the price. Put all of them — plus two photos of the boat — into one fillable PDF, sold AS-IS.
Download a blank bill of sale, or build a custom one.
A boat bill of sale is the written record of a vessel sale — hull identification number (HIN), motor serials, price, and signatures. States use it to register the boat to its new owner; the parties use it to prove what was sold, and for how much.
Download a clean, fillable boat bill of sale. Type the details in any PDF viewer, or print it and write them by hand.
Not legal advice. This template is a general-purpose starting point only. Specific DMV and state requirements vary — I understand it is my responsibility to verify local requirements before finalizing a transfer.
Spell out exactly what floats away.
Some states title watercraft, others only register them — and trailers are often handled separately from the boat itself.
Hulls, motors, and paperwork — answered.
What is a HIN and where do I find it?
The hull identification number is a 12-character code stamped or engraved on the transom, usually on the upper starboard side. It is the boat's equivalent of a VIN, and state registration offices key the transfer to it — copy it exactly, character for character.
Does the trailer need its own bill of sale?
Often, yes. In many states the boat trailer is titled and registered separately from the boat, with its own VIN. Either list the trailer and its VIN in the additional-terms box, or write it up separately with our trailer bill of sale.
Is the outboard motor covered by the boat's paperwork?
Outboards carry their own serial numbers and, in a few states, their own titles. Record the motor's make, horsepower, and serial on the form so there is never a question about whether the motor was part of the deal.
Do boat bills of sale need a notary?
Generally no. Most states accept a signed bill of sale for watercraft registration without notarization — but a few state-issued vessel forms include optional notary blocks, and buying or selling across state lines can change the paperwork. Check your state's rule in our requirements table.
Not legal advice — watercraft titling varies by state; the official links in our state table have the current rules.