hey guys.
I am going to hopefully pick up my new(to me) boat tonight. The gentleman says he lost the title, but has the "boat certificate" and all the papers to transfer the boat and trailer. Is this something I should be concerned about or will the "certificate" he has be enough to register. I just don't have any experience and wanted to make sure I'm not getting myself into trouble here.
Thanks in advance.

Don't think that is going to work. We had to have the signed titles to transfer ownership. Remember there are three entities here. The boat, the motor, and the trailer. The boat and motor are handled through TPWD, while the trailer is a DPS thing.

Road, make him get a title.... I would not buy one from anybody with out a title...I know too many people that have had problems getting all they need. If he has a " BOAT CERTIFICATE" then he should be able to title in his name and then transfer. I have never heard of a " BOAT CERTIFICATE".

roadgoeson20
cbyrom and john are right, I'm afraid.
The way you/the seller put it.. He *has* a certificate.... which I have not heard of either ... I would surely want to get more information on this certificate he has as it could be worthless.
My titles ( one for the boat and one for the motor ) both say Texas Certificate Of Title at the top.. These items are for the Texas Parks and Wildlife information, and are _must have_ items for transfer..

On the trailer.. there must be a Non Titled Vehicle Receipt. In order for you to transfer it to your name with the Texas Department of Transportation.

good luck on this whatever you decide ...

tight lines

tha BassRustler

You can download the paperwork for a lost title through TPWD. I would make him do it. We are in a similar situation and it is turning into a pain in the behind.

I would strongly encourage you to follow their advice. I will guarantee that it will be a pain to register the boat if you do it. I�m talking pull your hair out, cussing, stomping, and even wondering why I bought this boat kind of pain. Plus there are no guarantees when it comes to this kind of stuff. Before you give him your hard earned money, make sure he has a valid title for all three parts (boat, motor and trailer). If he won�t accept then that�s probably a good indication that you need to find another boat to buy.

thanks so much guys, this is pretty much what i was afraid of. I'm gonna download the paperwork and tell him that i have cash waiting if he will get the title. thanks

Everything that has been stated so far has been true. I have never heard of a "boat certificate" either.... could be something that he made up on his computer. I would also reccomend that you call TPWD with the TX number and see if they will tell you if it is stolen. 817-831-3128 is the number here in Fort Worth or you could call the Austin headquarters. Too many times you pay cash for a boat and motor without valid titles and the seller vanishes never to be seen again, and he'll have your money.... I would be very suspicious and leary of this deal...

Everything that has been stated so far has been true. I have never heard of a "boat certificate" either.... could be something that he made up on his computer. I would also reccomend that you call TPWD with the TX number and see if they will tell you if it is stolen. 817-831-3128 is the number here in Fort Worth or you could call the Austin headquarters. Too many times you pay cash for a boat and motor without valid titles and the seller vanishes never to be seen again, and he'll have your money.... I would be very suspicious and leary of this deal...

Some States like LA don't title boats. That the way it was with my boat, but all I had to have wasa tracing of seiral numbers for boat and motor. And a bill of sale. No problems at all.

I think what he is talking about is the little card, like a credit card or drivers license, the state sends . It has the Reg # (TX....HF) owners name ,address,boat type,length,serial number,ect on it..State calls it a "Certificate Of Number For Boat"... says you "Always carry this certificate on boat when in use"....
Now what good it will do in this case ,I have no ideal..but I would ask TP&W..if this is the "certificate,the owner has...

sk vehicle registration what is required.

Ok, ya'll on the same subject. I went to buy a boat from a guy. I've got it hooked up to the truck. He hands me the title and says "I never bothered to put it in my name", the back of the titles are signed, but the front is not.

Having had trouble with boat titles in the past, I unhooked the boat and told the guy to find the last owner and get it signed on the front also.

I am having regrets. It was a good deal.

Anyone delt with this type of problem?

redman-- you should have kept the boat and told him you would give him the money when he got it signed--bet he would have gotten it signed THAT DAY--

Redman..... this guy is pulling the ol skip transfer. The reason he never put the boat in his name is to avoid the transfer fee and the collection of sales tax by TPWD. You could probably get it trasferred to you but it would involve forging some signatures etc. and be a felony...... Mr. Boat Seller needs to put the boat in his name.... TPWD would be a nightmare to deal with if he doesn't do the deal like it is supposed to be done..... let him keep his boat and find another.... you will be happier in the long run.