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  1. #1
    Join Date
    Nov 2008
    Posts
    9

    Default Getting a Title for a Abandoned Boat in Michigan

    My question involves vehicle registration or title in the state of: Michigan.

    My parents neighbor (john) has a friend (Stash) that left a boat on Johns property. John wanted to sell me the boat but was asking too much. 3 years later John calls me and says he will sell me the boat cheap and needs it gone ASAP. I tell John OK and that I will pay him once I get a signed title. John tells me come get the boat and we will work out the money later. Now I'm finding out the real story. Stash got the boat from somebody that owed him money and then stored it at John's house. I have asked John for the title repeatedly but he keeps saying he is working on it and he will get it from Stash. If he really wanted the money he would produce the signed title, right? I am thinking that John nor Stash has the title. I now have possession of the boat and would like to title it so that I may be able to fix it and sell it. The last year the boat was in the water was 2007 (from the hull sticker). How do I go about getting the title for the boat. I know my 1st step would be to check the HIM to make sure the boat isn't stolen. After that what do I do?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Sep 2011
    Location
    OH10
    Posts
    17,019

    Default Re: Getting a Title for a Abandoned Boat in Michigan

    Short answer is you cannot. There is a registry of serial numbers that each state DNR office references when you try to obtain registration. It lists the titled owner. You must have proof of ownership transferring to you.

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Sep 2013
    Posts
    127

    Default Re: Getting a Title for a Abandoned Boat in Michigan

    Secretary of state will provide you with a form, don't remember number of the form. You as buyer have to fill it out with the HIN numbers, explaining where/how you obtained it, including the sellers name/address. The seller will have to fill out his part of the form explaining where he obtained it, return it to the secretary of state and wait, normally the title will show up in a week or 2.
    Best procedure is for you to have your buddy do the legwork at the secretary of state, that way if you don't want it, he has title in his name.
    Boats up to a certain size don't need to be titled in Michigan,18 foot and larger have titles, but no 14' boat I have owned had titles.

    This method, while more open to abuse is in my opinion far better than the old way where you could not have an officer come out inspect and run the vin until -after- the boat/car/motorcycle was in ready to run condition.

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