Buying and transporting a 16' hobie cat from another state

I was told all the same stuff from LDMV, when going from Florida to Louisiana. I didn't bother with ANY of it, the boat was never registered, the trailer wasn't either and I pulled it from Jacksonville to New Orleans no trouble. But I did have a proper bill of sale with the previous owners information and a copy of his license all notarized.

I have even sailed it in Mississippi about 6 times and I still haven't registered any of it. I am not saying it is the right thing to do, just that I have done it without any problems.

I just don't think the Troopers care much, unless you mess up.

I will be registering my trailer this month and as soon as I can find a boat worth registering I will register it as well, LOL.

Edited by shipchips1 on Jun 05, 2013 - 12:58 PM.

waxdart wrote: Hi. can anyone tell me the process for buying, picking up and legally transporting a hobie 16' and trailer from Alabama across the state line into Florida? DMV is telling me i need all kinds of paperwork that largely doesn't exist with the sellers, seems to be relevant to a bigger vessel anyway, and would need to be in place for any boat i go look at and like and want to buy on the spot. Thanks

waxdart,

Welcome to TheBeachcats.com! This is kind of an difficult subject, because these registration, titling, and trailer license plate laws are so lucky. Sometimes different in various areas of the same state. Lots of times if you look at the actual written regulations (which can be hard to find) the rules do include beachcats, and that's all the local DMV can tell you, if they will tell you anything at all.

I've heard all different things about Florida because it's a large state with many jurisdictions. I've personally never heard of a beachcat being stopped for registration either on the water or the road in Florida, has anyone been hassled over this?

The times I can see this coming up would be if you were buying a beach pass from a local authority, then they might want your registration numbers on the paperwork, but I'm just guessing. We have lots of Florida folks here.

I just don't want anyone claiming "They said on TheBeachcats.com I could ignore those laws!". :teacher:

Go get it, get a bill of sale and then bring it home. As I understand it FL does not register boats under 18 ft that have no motor. I could be and often am wrong but the DMV is full of it trying to get you pay a bunch of crap that you do not need to worry about.

I have traveled a lot with a boat in tow across many state lines and never ever had an issue. Richard.

Take a copy of this - fill it out In the space that will be at the bottom of the page use a PENCIL to make a rubbing of the HIN if it easily accessible (some cats the rudder castings are in the way) Make sure that trailer lights are working or take a set you can attach to the trailer or boat. I have a set that is on a 2x4 that I can strap on what ever I buy.

Bill of Sale for Marine Vessels

Name of Purchaser ______________________________
Address____________ City________ ST_____ZIP______

Manufacturer______________________ Year_________
Model________________ Color____________________

Serial/Hull Identification #__________________________

Trailer Manufacturer ___________Serial #_____________

Engine Manufacturer__________ Serial #_____________

Name of Seller (print)______________________________
Address_______________ City ______ ST____ ZIP_____

Sellers Signature__________________________________
Date of Sale ________/____/______

Above document was created in WORD - just copy and paste then blow back up to size if needed

captedteach wrote:
Bill of Sale for Marine Vessels

Name of Purchaser ______________________________
Address____________ City________ ST_____ZIP______

Manufacturer______________________ Year_________
Model________________ Color____________________

Serial/Hull Identification #__________________________

Trailer Manufacturer ___________Serial #_____________

Engine Manufacturer__________ Serial #_____________

Name of Seller (print)______________________________
Address_______________ City ______ ST____ ZIP_____

Sellers Signature__________________________________
Date of Sale ________/____/______

Also get 2 signatures of witnesses. At least that is all that is required in Mississippi.

I never have needed a witness signature in MS and I have bought and sold close to 30 boats over the years - of course it wont hurt Esp since we are talking about FL!!