+1 definately

another reason that people don't put the boat or vehicle in thier name now is to avoid the taxes.some time ago you could buy a boat or vehicle for $2000.00 dollars and when you went to your local tax office to put it in your name you could tell them that you only paid $200.00 and you only paid taxes on the $200.00(not advising you to do this be honest).now when you buy something and you get a good deal on it lets say a truck for $2000.00 they will look in some kind of magic book and tell you the truck is worth $5000.00 and thats what you will pay taxes on. BELIEVE ME IT HAPPENED TO MY BOSS. buy my boat the title is in my name.

They don't look in the blue book on boats when you buy them.
Johnny

If the guy is certain that it will transfer tell him you will pay as soon as it is legaly yours then drag his a$$ out to Garland to the TPWD office and make it happen.
Once the titles are in your name your set.
(Don't forget the motor)
If it is a sweet deal and is what your looking for you should be willing to give a little extra effort to make it happen if you believe it is worth it. Usually if its a good deal there is a reason so give it a shot you haven't lost anything till you hand over the cash.

That is just it...TAXES! People buy boats from individuals who do not care if the title is ever transferred. I give your cash, you give me the boat and title....WE both have what we want. If I go to TPWD and transfer the title then I will have to pay taxes.
I just sold my boat and the title transfer is 100% up to the buyer. I also found out that the TPWD is not very inquisitive about the cost of boats. You can say that you bought a $13k for 3k because the motor was bad and it needed fiberglass work and no question is asked.
(A potential buyer who has been down this road gave me this info.)

Whoevers name is on the title that is the name that must be signed on it transfering it.You do not have to sign anything in front of TPW.First go there get the paperwork and they will highlight everything you need to fill out.You can put whatever price you want for the boat and motor theres no bluebook they lookup.

i guess u could buy it as long as the "friend" signed the title as well as the TPW blue/green forms. i personally wouldnt do it though.

as far as telling TPW you paid less for the boat than you really did, thats called tax evasion. im no tee-totalling bible thumping guy but IMHO it pays to pay your dues and have a clear conscience about it. 6.25% tax on a boat is reasonable.....just pay it.

The jokester in me tells the seller, "I'm good with the deal. Uh, my buddy wrote me this check, and I'm gonna endorse it over to you, okay? He's from Nigeria. That's not a problem, is it?"

Seems to me you should find out where the guy lives and just steal it!

Heck he might have stolen the boat from some fool who left the title in the glove box. No, seriously fishnfool is right. As long as the person whose name is on the title has signed it and the transfer papers you are fine. It has been a while since I bought a used boat but last time I did I only paid taxes on the trailer. Vehicle sales tax is only collected on the sales of used stuff by individuals that is registered for use on the road use.

Do NOT listen to the advice above^. You must pay 6.25 sales tax on the boat and the motor to TPWD. You pay sales tax and registration on the trailer to your local Tax Assessor/Collector. Stump jumper, if you opnly paid taxes on your trailer but not the boat and motor, how do you get a registration sticker for your boat?