registering a canoe without title or bill of sale

[phil]

im assuming someone here has done this in our wonderful state. make a long story short I have an old town canoe and want to add a trolling motor. can I write up a boilerplate notarized bill of sale, have it notarized and head to the DMV with the other required paperwork and a check and walk out and be done? my head is spinning reading all the old posts about this.

[Ken Lyons]

The assumption is that it's stolen unless you can prove otherwise. There is a PIA procedure. Try calling DMV in Trenton.

[Chrisper4694]

Did it with the tin can Jon boat I have. My father in law had it since the 50s or 60s no paperwork, never registered. He wrote a letter explaining this, had it notarized, and the dmv accepted it as proof of ownership and let me register it for an electric motor.

[briansnat]

I was going to try to register an old jon boat I was selling that my dad bought in the 70's. I figured if it was registered I might get another hundred bucks or so for it. I was told by MVC that without papers the best way would be to register it as a "home made" boat. But that would also have involved having it inspected by the Coast Guard or Marine Police I was told. I never bothered. Just sold it as is.

[AndyS]

A letter with notary, there is the best place to start.

[NorthJerzyG]

To register an untiltled (12ft or less) motorboat, u need a notorized bill of sale (typed or hand written) with the following info: year, make, model, hin#. Also, for boat and trailer packages, be sure to have a seperate letter for each one. That's what it took for me. Only problem was it took 5 trips cause they only tell you partial information every time...

[tycomps]

just did it monday, pia. do what northjerzyg said but include a price (they want their cut), have your bank notarize for free. probably wouldn't hurt to do a pencil scrape of the hull# on the bill of sale if possible. go to dmv when they're not crowded for the best success. good luck!

[phil]

ok, well wish me luck. I spoke to the guys at Carteret station and they were actually really helpful. im drafting the letter now will get it notarized and bringing the canoe on Friday for inspection. then onto dmv. so far it doesn't seem too painful.