Does anyone know the step by step process for gifting a boat? My father is gifting me his boat. He's the original owner and has signed the front of the titles (boat and motor) but not the back. I have all the paperwork. What do I need to do to complete the process? BTW-there's no trailer...he kept it in a boat slip this entire time.

Looked into it, but did want to pay taxes on it. Kept the boat in his name till I sold it. Just pay for the registration

My father “gifted” his older F150 to my son rather than trade it in. Somervell County(Glen Rose) DMV had us fill out a form showing it was being given to a family member and no sales tax. Simply paid a registration/title fee. Not positive it’s the same for boats but a phone call to the DMV or TPWD will get you a for sure answer so you can show up w/the correct “stuff”.

TPWD for the boat and motor titles, Tax office if you get a trailer.

do a bill of sale for $10.00

This is what we've done with my dads old boat

Please let us know what you find out.

Thanks everyone. I will take the completed forms to the TPW office and let you know end result. I thought about just keeping it in his name until it's time to sell but he would prefer I switch everything over into my name.

By keeping it in his name puts him in position of liability in case of an accident.

Curious to hear the end result as I am in the same position. I have a boat that was my fathers as well that we would like to get transferred into my name but don't want to have to pay sales tax.

What do they call the fee when you bring a boat in from out of state?

I think they have been taxing on the boat's value not sales price for years now. Texas couldn't make any tax money off of all of the $10 sales.

It's not quite that simple, an arms length transaction comes to mind. I assume someone is on the hook for taxes for the actual value.

Last time I did one they go off of the bill of sale value. With vehicles they do go off of the assumed presumptive value or the sales price. Whichever is higher. Not that way with boats.....Yet. Not saying a $10 sale wouldn't raise a red flag. I think outfishdya has it right. Just check the gift box and pay the fees.