Clear Title

[amber jj]

I'm getting pretty close to purchasing a 31 TE.It is a private sale no broker.Where can I find information that there is no liens or money owing.The seller says he will state that on the bill of sale,but is that good enough?The vessel will be coming into Canada and I don't want any problems when we get to the border.Any help would be apprciated. Amber J

[efishnsea]

Most of these boats are documented. You can do an inquiry at the Coast Guard documentation center for a small fee maybe $25 they will fax a report for you. Bob

[amber jj]

Thanks Bob we will give it a try .

[RicM]

If the boat is from a "Title State" like RI, the title is an official, physical document that is held by the lien holder, if there is one, or the owner if no lien. IE if the owner has the title document (not a copy) in hand there should be no liens on the vessel.

[amber jj]

Thankyou too Ric.I guess you don't know if N.Y.documentation is the same procedure as R.I.?

[RicM]

http://www.nydmv.state.ny.us/recreation.htm#boats

[amber jj]

Ric that piece of information answers a lot of questions.Thanks again Ric & Bob

[whwells]

There are Marine Title Escrow companies much like the type you use for real estate. I would give serious thought to one that is insured and bonded. You want to have some back up if for any reason a lien somehow is not discovered. There is a such a company in New York. Used one myself for the Canadian purchase out of Vancouver, BC. Costs was 250.00 but I felt much better about the protection than working with just the broker. The documentation was for me the same amount. You can do that yourself, but the paper work, etc and follow up is well worth the money. If you go on line sources will appear for the job. I don't recall the name of the one I spoke with in N.Y. on an Albin I did not actually buy The agency does works all over the east seaboard. Oak at Oalkey Yachts on Long Island, NY. gave me the name. He is easy to pull up and a really nice person to work with. You will sleep better having a third party check it out.
whwells "Howard"
2006 35TE Sportfisher/Conv.
"Nibbles"

[whwells]

Amber J. The broker who can help you with the name of the New York based Marine Title company is Oak Gentry Long Island New York. Oak's company is called Blue Water Brokers. I found him very trust worthy. Good Luck with your purchase and title search. The web address that Rob S provides looks like the people I spoke with on Oak Gentry's boat that did not work out for me.
Howard

[RobS]

I use: http://www.boatdoc.com/home.htm

[amber jj]

Rob I gave Boatdoc a call yesterday,and they did find a problem with the registry.they will start to look into it when the seller sends me copies of cert. of documentation & N.Y.registration.Hopefully they say it may be only a mix up in the paperwork.

[RobS]

Better to be safe than sorry..
I was VERY pleased with the service they provided.
Considering the amount of money we go through in this hobby, the cost for the service and peace of mind that they provide makes it a no-brainer in my book!