Bill of Sale Form for Boat and Trailer
Selling or buying a boat usually means three things change hands: the hull, the motor and the trailer — and many states title or register them separately. Fill in this form to create a clear bill of sale that lists all three, checks the hull identification number and trailer VIN for common mistakes, records the price split, and prints with signature lines for both parties.
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Boat and trailer bill of sale
Seller and buyer
Boat
Motor(s)
Trailer
Sale
Boat Sale Paperwork Pack
Editable boat, motor and trailer bill of sale (DOCX), a separate trailer bill of sale, a pre-sale inspection checklist, a sea-trial checklist, a payment receipt and a boat sale document checklist.
- Bill of sale (DOCX/PDF)
- Trailer bill of sale (DOCX)
- Inspection checklist (PDF, DOCX)
- Sea trial checklist (PDF, DOCX)
- Payment receipt (DOCX)
Formats: DOCX, PDF. Instant download after payment (link valid 72 hours, up to 5 downloads). AI-assisted: the templates were drafted with AI help and reviewed and laid out before publishing.
$5.00 USD, one-time 5 files · about $1.00 each
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- 7-day refund
- Secure checkout by Stripe
7-day money-back guarantee. Full refund within 7 days of purchase, even after you download.
Free sample: Boat Inspection Checklist (PDF, 42 KB)
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Free printables
Single sheets you can print right now, no sign-up. The full pack adds every sheet in one download plus the editable files.
Printable Sea Trial Checklist
Boat Payment Receipt FormWhy a boat sale needs its own bill of sale
A boat package is really three items: the hull, the engine and the trailer. In many US states the boat is titled or registered with the natural resources or wildlife agency, the trailer is titled and plated through the motor vehicle department, and outboard motors may be titled separately too. A bill of sale that lists each item with its identification number and price makes it much easier for the buyer to register everything and for the seller to prove the transfer.
What to include
| Section | Details |
|---|---|
| Parties | Full names and addresses of seller and buyer |
| Boat | Year, make, model, length, hull identification number (HIN), registration or documentation number, hull material |
| Motor | Make, model, horsepower and serial number for each engine |
| Trailer | Year, make, VIN and plate number |
| Price | Total and, ideally, the split between boat, motor and trailer |
| Payment | Method and date of payment |
| Terms | As-is statement and the seller’s statement of ownership and no liens |
| Signatures | Seller and buyer, with dates; notary block if your state requires it |
Finding the identification numbers
- HIN: a 12-character number on a plate or moulded into the upper starboard (right) side of the transom, required on boats built since 1972. A duplicate is often hidden elsewhere on the hull.
- Outboard serial: on a plate on the engine’s transom bracket or swivel bracket.
- Trailer VIN: usually on the tongue or front frame rail, and on the trailer’s title or registration.
- Registration number: shown on the bow and on the registration card; documented vessels have an official number from the Coast Guard.
Why split the price
Sales tax and registration fees are sometimes calculated differently for boats, motors and trailers, and some states tax trailers through the motor vehicle office. Recording a realistic split protects both parties and avoids questions when the buyer registers each item. Use fair values — understating the price to reduce tax is illegal and can cause problems if the sale is audited.
How to use the form
- Enter the seller and buyer names and addresses exactly as they will appear on registrations.
- Fill in the boat details and copy the HIN from the transom plate; the tool checks its format.
- Add the motor and trailer details. If you enter a trailer VIN, the tool checks the 17-character format and check digit.
- Enter the prices for each item and the payment method.
- Tick the as-is and no-liens statements and, if your state requires it, the notary block.
- Print two copies, sign both and keep one each with the old registrations and titles.
Worked example
Jordan sells a 2015 18 ft fiberglass bay boat with a 90 hp outboard and its trailer to Sam for $20,000: $14,000 for the boat, $4,500 for the motor and $1,500 for the trailer, paid by cashier’s check. The HIN ABC12345D515 passes the format check (built in April, model year code 15 — 2015). They print two copies, sign them, and Sam takes one to register the boat and the trailer in his name.
Selling safely
- Meet in a public place or at a marina; let the buyer inspect and test the boat on the water if possible.
- Accept secure payment: cash counted at a bank, a cashier’s check verified with the issuing bank, or a bank transfer that has cleared.
- Hand over titles, registrations, manuals and spare keys at the time of sale.
- Remove your registration stickers or notify the agency as your state requires.
- Cancel your insurance only after the buyer has taken possession.
Check your state’s rules
Requirements vary widely. Some states provide their own bill of sale forms, some require notarization, and documented vessels transfer through the Coast Guard’s National Vessel Documentation Center with specific forms. Use this bill of sale as a clear record of the deal, and check the boat registration and motor vehicle agencies in your state for any official forms they require. This page is general information, not legal advice.
Privacy
The form runs in your browser. Names, addresses and numbers you enter are not uploaded or stored.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a bill of sale to sell a boat?
It is strongly recommended and required by many states to register the boat in the buyer’s name.
Can one bill of sale cover the boat, motor and trailer?
Yes, as long as each item is listed with its identification number; some states may also want separate forms.
Where is the HIN on a boat?
On the upper starboard side of the transom.
Does a boat bill of sale need to be notarized?
Only in some states — check your state’s requirements.
What does “as is” mean?
The buyer accepts the boat in its current condition without warranties from the seller.
Should the price be split between boat, motor and trailer?
It is a good idea, because some states tax or register each item separately.
What if the boat has no HIN?
Boats built before 1972 and some homemade boats may lack one; your state agency can assign a number.
Is my information stored?
No, the form runs in your browser.