Hello All,

I am a new owner of a used 10ft. Jon Boat. From what I can tell there is no registration and it has never been registered before. So my question is... do I have to get a 10 ft. Jon Boat registered if I am just going to use a trolling motor as the only source of moving around? Thanks for the help!

it has to be registered with any mechanical motor if you are going to use it on public water.

Thank you! That is what I needed to know.

You wouldn't happen to know if I could register it as a new owner/boat, without any previous registration, would you? I searched online and it seems like all the forms are asking for prior registration numbers and information that I don't think exist.

No, if you try to register as a new boat, they will require a MSO. Best way to handle it is to go to a TP&W office. Take the serial number and bill of sale. Take the boat if you can so they can inspect it if they need to.

Form PWD 143/144 application - sales price (not including trailer), date of sale, and trade-in information must be completed and signed by the seller.
Handwritten Receipt or Sales Invoice - must contain date of sale, sales price (not including trailer), description of vessel and/or outboard motor (make, serial number, and model year), purchaser�s name(s), and seller's signature(s).
Back of TPWD (brown) title completed with sales price, the name of the purchaser(s) and signature of the owner(s) listed on the front of the title or from their legally documented representative. (Older blue and green title formats do not have spaces for the bill of sale on the back).

Thank you Chu! I really appreciate the information. I guess I will try to find a local TP&W office!

Samlawrence11 I've just been through this and it is not an easy proccess if you do not have the correct paper work. A bill of sale from the seller will not sufice. TPWD require a bill of sale, a Title in the sellers name or a Certificate of Origin which comes with all new boats sold plus all the forms ChuChu 1 listed. If you do not have the Certificate of Origin or title then you can apply for a title as an abandoned boat which is a very involed proccess, to lengthy to copy hear. TPWD website describes it and they have an 800 # for questions if needed. On the page that explaines all the procedures they wrote in capital red letter "DO NOT BUY A BOAT WITHOUT A CLEAR TITLE" Good luck, it's an aggrevating proccess but it can be done.

Give it to someone that has private pond and buy ya a new one less money and hassle unless ya like to paddle