My son and I are looking at a boat hull. The price is right and we believe we can make use of it.
The boat is a 70's model and has no title. There are TX numbers so it has been licensed at a point in time. I checked with TP&W and the process for the re-titling appears to be fairly straight forward. A friend has advised against the purchase on the basis of there being no title. I would like to have more input from TFF members knowledgeable on this.
Thanks in advance.
J.B.

The general rule is 'no title, no deal'. If there are TX numbers, did the TPWD tell you who the owner on record is? If so, have you contacted him?

Would you buy a car with no title and expect to be able to get it titled, registered and licensed easily? You would have to have the owner of record obtain a replacement title and then transfer the boat to you. My advice: walk away.

Make the guy you are buying it from get a title. If he can't you can't.
Johnny

i agree with johnny make him do the leg work !i just bought me a new boat and tpwl there easy and straight foward the guys at the court house are rude short tempered and not willing to help

You won't believe what you are in for, bonded title is a pain in the a$$,DON'T WALK-RUN AWAY FROM THIS DEAL.

Thanks, Guys !
This band is on the run.
J.B.

i'm no expert, but i think you can only title the boat in your name if you get the prior titled owner to sign it over (i.e. by signing the back of the certificate of title) to you... call TPWD and see if there's some kind of affidavit to fix the problem of not being able to locate the prior record owner...

I'm guessing that there are very few people lining up at his door to buy this. If he is motivated to sell it, make him to the leg work.

+2