Boat/Vessel Bill of Sale Template

A Boat Bill of Sale is used to officially document the sale of a boat or vessel between two parties. It includes the buyer’s and seller’s information, and details about the boat. It serves as proof of ownership transfer, helps with registration, and provides legal protection for both parties after the sale.

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Boat Bill of Sale

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Last Update February 6th, 2026

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Table of Contents:

What Is a Boat Bill of Sale?
How To Write a Bill of Sale for a Boat
Boat Bill of Sale Example
Other Types of Bills of Sale
Boat Bill of Sale Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What Is a Boat Bill of Sale?

A boat bill of sale is an official legal contract that documents and records a transaction between the buyer and the seller of a watercraft.

The bill of sale is used as a formal way to prove the details of the sale that was agreed upon and that the ownership of the boat or vessel has been transferred from one party to another.

This provides many protections for both the buyer and seller. First of all, it helps them both avoid a fraudulent transaction by explicitly providing evidence in writing that the sale was agreed upon.

Furthermore, it can be used by the buyer to prove that they are now the owner of the boat so it can be properly registered under their name.

How To Write a Bill of Sale for a Boat

Creating a boat bill of sale can be done quickly and easily online using our contract generator tools. This provides easy-to-follow step-by-step instructions to help you include all the necessary details that are required to make the sale final and legal in your state.

In order for a boat bill of sale to be legally valid, it will need to include the following information:

The name and address of the buyer.
The name and address of the seller.
The price that is to be paid in US dollars for the boat or watercraft.
The date that the document will be signed and that sale will be final from.
The details of the vessel, including its make, model, year, HIN (Hull Identification Number), and odometer reading.
The boat’s motor details, including its make, year, horsepower, and serial number.
The boat’s trailer details, including its registration, make, year, and VIN (Vehicle Identification Number (optional).
The signatures of both parties.

Boat Bill of Sale Example

Before starting your own Boat Bill of Sale, it’s wise to read over a completed copy or template.

Use our example Boat Bill of Sale below to get familiar with the necessities of this kind of legal form before you craft your own.

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Other Types of Bills of Sale

Boat Bill of Sale Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

While a boat bill of sale appears to be fairly straightforward at first glance, it is important to know how and why to use this kind of legal document effectively. Find out more about selling boats with a bill of sale with our FAQs below.

Do I Need a Bill of Sale for My Boat?

In a number of states, having a valid bill of sale for a boat is an essential step to registering your vessel.

However, even in jurisdictions where this isn’t the case, it is still worthwhile to complete your transaction using this kind of sales slip.

The bill of sale also gives the boat buyer and seller a number of protections, such as:

Protection against fraud: With a signed document, it allows you to contest a fraudulent transaction.
Proves clear ownership: A Boat Bill of Sale provides clear evidence that the ownership of the boat has been transferred.

What Is an "As-Is" Bill of Sale?

Simply put, an “as-is” boat bill of sale records a transaction where no warranties are made on the vessel being purchased.

This means that the seller has agreed to purchase the boat as it currently appears or is described, and has no recourse for legal action should the craft encounter any faults or technical issues after it has been received.

How To Get a Title for a Boat with a Bill of Sale

Once a transaction has been completed, the boat bill of sale can be used by the new owner in order to register and get a title for the vessel.

To do so, the buyer must visit the state’s agency for registering watercraft. This service is usually provided by the DMV or the Game and Wildlife Agency, depending on the state in question.

Who Keeps the Bill of Sale?

When a boat bill of sale is signed, both the buyer and the seller should receive a copy of the completed document.

You and the other party should keep the document for a period of up to one year, in case any disputes arise from the transaction.

This will also help the new owner properly register the vessel with their state government.

You are only a few steps away from your own Boat/Vessel Bill of Sale!

Download our professional examples

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Preview of your Bill of Sale

State of California	$_________
County of _________	_________

BOAT BILL OF SALE

IN CONSIDERATION OF $_________, inclusive with all sales tax, paid by personal check, receipt of which is acknowledged, I, _________ (hereinafter, the "Seller"), the undersigned, presently of _________ DO NOW SELL, TRANSFER AND DELIVER to _________ (hereinafter, the "Buyer"), presently of _________, the following described Boat (hereinafter, the "Boat"):

Make: _________
Model: _________
Year: _________
Style: _________
Length: _________
Hull Identification Number (HIN): _________
Registration Number: _________

THE SELLER NOTIFIES THE BUYER, AND THE BUYER HEREBY ACKNOWLEDGES, THAT THE SELLER SELLS, TRANSFERS, AND DELIVERS THE Boat IN GOOD WORKING CONDITION. THE BUYER ACCEPTS THE Boat ON AN "AS IS" BASIS. THE SELLER EXPLICITLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING TO, BUT NOT LIMITED TO, ANY WARRANTY AS TO THE CONDITION OF THE Boat. HOWEVER, THE SELLER'S ABOVE WARRANTY DISCLAIMER DOES NOT AFFECT THE TERMS OF ANY APPLICABLE WARRANTY FROM THE MANUFACTURER OF THE Boat. THE SELLER MAKES NO OTHER REPRESENTATION OR WARRANTY WITH RESPECT TO THE Boat OR ITS CONDITION OR PERFORMANCE AND THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES IMPLIED.

The Seller sells and delivers the Boat in good working condition, and the Buyer accepts the Boat on an "AS IS" basis. The Seller explicitly disclaims all warranties, whether expressed or implied, including, but not limited to, any warranty as to the condition of the Boat. However, the Seller's above warranty disclaimer does not affect the terms of any applicable warranties from the manufacturer of the Boat. The Seller makes no other representation or warranty with respect to the Boat or its condition or performance, and there are no other warranties implied.

The Buyer warrants to the Seller that the Buyer has fully examined and tested the Boat, that the Buyer is purchasing the Boat in reliance upon such examination and testing, and that the Buyer is fully satisfied with the Boat. On the alternative, and at the very least, the Buyer warrants having inspected the Boat. Moreover, the Buyer has accepted the Boat in its existing condition.

The Seller declares and affirms under penalty of perjury that the facts in this Bill of Sale are true and correct.

IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the parties have executed this Bill of Sale on _________.

By: ______________________________ Date: _____________
_________