Results 1 to 8 of 8

Hybrid View

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Problems Getting Title to a Boat

    My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: Florida.
    I purchased a 10' jon boat from someone who purchased it from someone who purchased it from ..... The state records office gave me the last registered owner's (from 1996) name & address. I sent a certified letter to the address & it was returned - no longer at the address. The state says I have to go to court to get the title. What is the procedure for doing this?

    Thanks, what a lot of trouble for a $100 boat!

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Florida Boat Title Issue

    are you willing to spend a lot more than you paid for the boat to gain title? and then still not be guaranteed getting the title?

    If it were me, I would sue for a rescission of the sale since he person that sold the boat to you had no legal right to do so.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Florida Boat Title Issue

    I take that to mean that you have absolutely no idea the answer to my question! Well I sure appreciate the crap you spewed - not.

  4. #4

    Default Re: Florida Boat Title Issue

    Vessels work just like cars in Florida. Titles need to transfer from one owner to the next. Joe can only sell you a boat that Joe legally owns (ie is titled in Joe's name). John, even if in possession of the boat titled in Joe's name, cannot legally transfer ownership - since he doesn't own it. If several owners passed the boat along without following these procedures, then the vessel is still legally owned by the last person to have the registration in their name. If you can't locate the previous legal owner, then as stated in DMV procedure TL-07, you will need a court order before a certificate of title will be issued to you. The court will want to see proof of purchase, and your documentation of what steps you took to locate the registered owner. Contact your local Clerk of Court for their procedures to bring your motion before the court.

    THEN, be prepared for the court to ask if you've had FWC issue you a Certificate of Compliance (cost: $300) which will show the court that (a) law enforcement certifies that the vessel hasn't been reported stolen, (b)that FWC has made a good faith effort to locate the previous owner, and (c) that a vessel inspection was done and the vessel was deemed seaworthy.

    If you skip those steps, the odds of the court ruling favorably on your motion start to decline rapidly - in which case you're not only out the money, but in possession of a vessel that you can't get registered; the remedy being to sue the person who sold you the property improperly in the first place.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Sep 2005
    Location
    Behind a Desk
    Posts
    98,846

    Default Re: Florida Boat Title Issue

    Last I checked, the filing fee for a lawsuit in Florida was $295, and you can't sue for title in small claims court. That's before the cost of serving your lawsuit on the original owner, whose address you don't even know, or motion fees and costs associated with obtaining permission for substituted service. And yes, there's no guarantee that you'll win - the original owner could claim that he never sold or gave away the boat and that he wants it back.

    It was childish of you to attack jk for pointing out that your most logical remedy is to seek a refund, given that you've described this as a $100 boat.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Florida Boat Title Issue

    Quote Quoting McDougal
    View Post
    I take that to mean that you have absolutely no idea the answer to my question! Well I sure appreciate the crap you spewed - not.
    Iwasn't going to hunt down statutes for something that I knew would cost more than the boat cost if you weren't going to consider doing it. I asked the questions I did because of that.

    Now I simply won't bother because you are an ass.

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Sep 2010
    Posts
    3

    Default Re: Problems Getting Title to a Boat

    Opinions are great but we all know what they resemble. I asked a relatively simple legitimate question to which I desired an answer. Seems like getting a straight answer isn't that simple and straightforward. Didn't mean to upset anyone but if you don't know, or wish to research, the answer - don't! Thank you aardvarc for the answer. That's what I neded to know.

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jan 2006
    Posts
    38,867

    Default Re: Problems Getting Title to a Boat

    I also asked a relatively simple legitimate question as well to which I desired an answer. Was yours any more important than mine?

    1. Sponsored Links
       

Similar Threads

  1. Boat Title
    By dwiley in forum Vehicle Registration and Title
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 09-27-2009, 03:00 PM
  2. How to Get Boat Trailer Title
    By SJW in forum Vehicle Registration and Title
    Replies: 4
    Last Post: 09-09-2008, 05:46 PM
  3. Ownership Rights: How to Get Title to an Abandoned Boat
    By mikem0011 in forum Personal Property
    Replies: 10
    Last Post: 01-16-2008, 02:28 PM
  4. Private Sales: Sold a Boat, Buyer Claims Problems And Wants A Refund
    By jgetz in forum Consumer Law
    Replies: 1
    Last Post: 07-26-2007, 03:34 PM
  5. Getting Title To An Abandoned Boat
    By JoeTheCobbler in forum Vehicle Registration and Title
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-13-2006, 07:56 AM
 
 
Sponsored Links

Legal Help, Information and Resources