Making The Purchase

Be a smart boat buyer. Know what to look for and what paperwork is required. If you buy a boat from a boat dealer, the dealer might help you through the necessary paperwork. But whether you purchase the boat at an auction, a garage sale, through the newspaper, or from a dealer, you are responsible for the necessary paperwork. And remember: If a deal looks too good to be true, it probably is.

Check the capacity plate on the boat.

Motorboats less than 26 feet in length and manufactured between January 1966 and November 1972 are required to have a capacity plate. All motorboats less than 21 feet in length manufactured after November 1, 1972 are required to have a capacity plate.

The capacity plate contains information regarding maximum horsepower, maximum passengers, and maximum load limit (in pounds) for the boat. Check the horsepower of the motor mounted on the boat against the maximum allowed on the capacity plate. Regardless of the size of the boat, the horsepower of the motor may not exceed the maximum allowed on the capacity plate for legal operation in Wisconsin.

If you're looking at a used boat, review the boat's registration certificate (wallet size plastic card) and title.

(All used motorboats 16 feet and over in length, registered in Wisconsin after 1988 will have a title issued.) If you are presented with a Wisconsin registration certificate, verify that the year of expiration on the certificate matches the year of expiration on the boats registration decals. Also, look for a *T* on the registration certificate just under the expiration date box. This indicates that a title has been issued for that boat. Demand to see the title. If you are told that the title is lost, contact the DNR to find out how to proceed. Additional paperwork may be required depending on the circumstances. Never accept "I'll send you the title later."

If you're looking at a new boat, review the boat's Manufacturer's Statement of Origin (MSO) or Certificate of Origin (COO).

New boats do not have a title issued until they are registered. Instead they have a MSO or a COO which serves as a temporary title from the manufacturer to the dealer and then to you. When you buy a new boat, the MSO or COO is treated the same as a title.

Compare the boat's Hull Identification Number (HIN) to the numbers on the registration certificate and the title or MSO/COO.

Do not take the seller's word that they match. Make sure that the numbers on the boat and paperwork have not been altered or tampered with.

Federal and state law both require a 12 character HIN number on all boats built after 1972. Look for the HIN on the right side of the transom above the waterline. The HIN number must be permanently affixed to the boat or imbedded into the fiberglass. On most aluminum boats, the HIN is stamped onto an aluminum plate which is rivetted with non-corrosive rivets to the transom. If you see rusty rivets or the HIN is on a removable plate attached with screws, be very cautious. If the HIN has been removed, altered or tampered with, contact the DNR Marine Theft Investigator by e-mail or dial (608) 264-8970. Altering a HIN number is a Class E felony.

Have the seller sign the MSO or COO for a new boat, or the title and the back of the registration certificate for a used boat, and turn them over to you at the time of sale.

Be sure that all persons whose name appears on the title, sign the title. This paperwork will be required when you register the boat.

Verify there is no lien against the boat.

If a lien holder's name appears on the title, be sure that the lien holder has signed off on the title or you receive a lien release letter on the letterhead of the lending company.

Ask for a "Bill of Sale."

A bill of sale should include the following:

1. Description of the boat, including manufacturer name, model, year, and length.
2. Registration number if the boat has previously been registered.
3. Hull Identification Number (HIN)
4. Name of the seller.
5. Name of the buyer.
6. Purchase price.
7. Date of sale.

Have everyone involved in the transaction sign the bill of sale. Print the names under the signatures.

Be wary of "cash only" transactions.

Once you agree on a price and have verified the paperwork, put a small amount down.Then get a certified or cashiers check payable to the seller.

Register the boat within 10 days of the purchase date.

Wisconsin law makes it the buyers' responsibility to see that the boat get's registered. Boat dealers are not required to register the boat for you.

If you agree to have a dealer register your boat for you as a customer service, the dealer should show the receipt of the registration fees on the purchase form, bill of sale, or similar document. The dealer must submit all paperwork, forms, fees, etc. to the DNR within seven calendar days of the purchase date.