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What to do when purchasing a used airboat.

juflt

juflt

Member
Hey everyone, I hope this isn't too repetitive but I was hoping for some help from some of you who know the ropes of buying a used boat. My boyfriend and I are looking at buying a used airboat probably in FL. If the person selling the boat still owes money on it what is the safest, most common way to go about buying the boat and getting the title. We'd be driving 10 plus hours to FL to pick it up. I was thinking cashiers check for sure but I'm worried that we'd hand a check over to someone and never get the title, or even worse buy a stolen boat or something. I just need some help with how to be careful and make a smart, safe purchase on a boat if we find one. Any advice or help is appreciated or comments on boat titles, trailer titles (are they one in the same?) VIN etc.... :?: :bounce:
 
If the boat you want to purchase has a lien on the title you need to contact the lienholder and discuss what you need to do to complete the transaction. Most states will not allow a transfer of title with a lienholder.

If the boat owner has title in hand with no lienholder listed then all you have to do is have him/her sign the title over along with a bill of sale. Also, it is important that the VIN numbers on the title matches the VIN numbers on the transom of the hull. If the VIN numbers are not present get the owner to have an ID plate made before you take delivery.

The state of Florida does not issue titles on boat trailers but are required to register them. When making your purchase ask the seller for a copy of the registration.


To anyone selling your airboat and trailer....it is strongly recommended that you issue a bill of sale. Make sure the buyers full name, address, DL number and phone number. Also, indicate whether there are any kind of warranties. It is important that you have a time table in the buyers order that limits the amount of time for the title transfer. Remember....if it is still titled in your name technically you can be held responsible for the boat and trailer even after the sale.

Good luck with you new/used boat purchase.
 
Cashers check and cash is about what you'll need coming from out of State. Maybe Travelers Checks. If there is a lean on the boat, it must be satisfied before you can get a new title. One option is if it is a local bank lean you can subtract the lien amount from the sales price and YOU can go, or have the seller go with you and pay the lean. When you do this make sure you get the titles signed before you lay down your cash. You can't title it until the lien is payed.

Double check the HIN number against the existing title. You can call the local Sheriffs Office and ask to have the HIN number run for stolen vessels.

There is no title in FL for a trailer, you just get a registration. Be sure you get a bill of sale completed and signed.

Some trailers will have a number on them and some older ones will not.

Its about the same here as anywhere else when dealing with someone you don't know.

Scotty
 
GET A HOMEMADE TITLE :lol: ITS EASY AS 1 2 3
GOOD LUCK ON FINDING A BOAT THEIRS ALOT OF GOOD DEALS OUT THEIR BUT SOME PROBABLE DO HAVE LIENS ON THEM THE WAY THE ECONOMY IS BE CAREFUL BUYING A BOAT THATS WORTH 5 TIMES MORE THEN THE ASKING PRICE.
 
Thanks you guys. Hey James what do you mean be careful buying a boat that's worth 5 times the askin price? I call that a good deal :bounce:
 
juflt said:
Thanks you guys. Hey James what do you mean be careful buying a boat that's worth 5 times the askin price? I call that a good deal :bounce:
Click to expand...
I DO TO IF IT HAS ALL THE RIGHT PAPER WORK THATS ALL I WAS SAYING !!!
 
^ I think what James is saying, is if the boat is worth, say $20k but the seller will let you have it for $7k.... be careful, usually a deal that is 'too good to be true' is just that! You might be buying a cheap boat that has a lein on it for, say, $20k..... so along with the boat, you also buy the outstanding debt, so you will end up paying $27k all up for the boat :shock:

I am sure some unscrupulous buyers of suss boats would get them to their home state and toss the trailer plates, remove any id numbers and register it as an unknown built trailer..... then remove the HID and engine numbers, thus making the boat un identifiable to lein holders, then register it as an unknown built boat in their own state....... But this is obviously illegal in some way, even tho the buyer has bought and paid for the boat in good faith......

I, of course, am not suggesting for an instant that you do anything illegal to protect your purchase from possible attached debt, No sir/ma'm, I would never suggest you do anything illegal, that would be wrong of me.... I am just pointing out to you what I have heard does go on :roll: :wink:

I would suggest tho, that you check what numbers are on the boat/trailer & check with the sellers local sheriff to see it is NOT STOLEN..... big companies are geared to loose some cash, but it honestly would be terrible to buy a boat in good faith, then finding someone on here has reported their boat stolen.... & it sounds just like the boat you bought :shock: :cry:

On the bill of sale, make sure you get proper id of the seller (dont meet and do the deal at a gas station etc) if you do the deal at a private home, make sure the address is the same as the sellers id, write down car/truck tags of vehicles in the driveway, or the seller steps out of.

Also, have the seller write on the bill of sale "this boat (description/numbers) is FREE OF ALL DEPTS & ENCUMBERANCES" ..... in other words, no other party has any interest, financial or otherwise, in the boat. Then get them to sign that bit as well as the whole doccument.

If it were me, I would look at the boat, see it run, best to water test it (to see if it floats) run it normally for at least an hour (to see if it overheats/explodes) If it passes those tests and you want to buy it, suggest the seller brings the boat to the local sheriffs office to get it checked for being stolen or not, once this is verified, get the sheriff or a deputy to witness the seller sighning the BoS & the bit where it says "free of all encumberances", then pay the cash.

If the seller REFUSES to accompany you to the sheriffs office, especially with the boat.... the deal is SUSPICIOUS, to say the least... then the choice is yours how you proceed & what steps you take when you get the boat to your home state.... again, I say, I do NOT reccommend you do anything against the law, in any way. :mrgreen:
 
If all else looks good and you are serious about buying the boat, consider taking it to a competent airboat engine mechanic before the purchase and have him check the engine and boat. An experienced eye/ear can spot potential problems (if any). A compression check is a good indicator of engine condition.

Good luck.

Dave1
 
You really gave me some good advice. I hadn't thought about taking the boat (and seller) to the Sheriff's office. That's a great idea. Thanks so much for the help. It's much appreciated. :D
Dave1 said:
If all else looks good and you are serious about buying the boat, consider taking it to a competent airboat engine mechanic before the purchase and have him check the engine and boat. An experienced eye/ear can spot potential problems (if any). A compression check is a good indicator of engine condition.

Good luck.

Dave1
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Can anyone give me a ballpark estimate on how much $ to expect to pay a mechanic to run over the boat/engine, compression check etc? :?: :pirate:
 
Just my .02c Do all that has been talked about here. I am not too sure about Sheriffs Office.
But if you have web Access you can go on the FDLE web site and run the numbers.
But beyond that, Seller AND Buyer go to the tag office and have the paper work done there on the spot that way its done and done right with no more questions.
I know I have a unique situation here in Lake County because the ladies here ( in the tag office) are the best and very Helpful, but I am sure other county's will help also.
Anyway good luck
 
Ditchdr^
If the seller is happy to go to the sheriffs office, your question is all but answered before you go..... If the boat is 'hot' or there is a lein problem, the seller will come up with 350 reasons why he can't meet you at the sheriffs office (he doesn't want to get caught)

In Oz, we have folks in the community who are un biased & legally registered to 'witness' legal doccuments.... they are called in Oz a 'J.P.' (Justice of the Peace) Usually they are in banks, post offices, doctors, dentists, lawyers as well as just local folk who have been 'checked out' & done the course & sworn to the duty. They are not allowed to charge for their service, it is a community service & JP's usually do it for pride & community standing. Some legal forms and Statuatary Declarations must be witnessed & stamped/signed by a JP to be accepted as the truth. Lieing on a 'Stat Dec' puts you in the grey bar hotel.

Do you have anything like this in the US? If so, if the seller signs the BoS and "free of debt" bit, witnessed & stamped by a JP or the US equivalent, might have some clout in court if the seller lied & the buyer gets chased (or the boat gets repo'd) because of a lein?

Just a thought?
Poor juflt doesnt want to drive 10 hours each way, fork out hard earned cash, only to have the repo man on her doorstep as soon as she tries to change the title of the boat 3 weeks later :shock: :cry: Just trying to come up with ways to try to 'flush' any suspicious seller out before she hands over the cash :wink:
 
On the mechanical side of things, a few good things to check..... is the general look of the whole boat..... it can tell you alot about the seller. If things are held on with wire, odd bolts, grotty and looking well used..... doesn't appear 'looked after'.... the motor is prolly the same, not looked after.

Look at the color of the oil, if it is too clean, it has just been changed.... Why? is the filter new (looking) too? Is the oil black, obviously not been changed in a looooong time? Look for fresh sealant (gaskets) Has the motor just been apart? why? Has it got a brand new oil pump? Why? did the old one fail? was it run with no pressure? Has it just been thrown together out of junk? Some folks will pull the good heads and manifold & the new water pump & HEI distributor off, put the old junkers back on and sell it.... buyer beware! Look around for bits that might have been pulled off for the sale..... a flashy engine sitting up behind the boat on the ground, a set of nice alloy heads on the bench and a nice manifold, carb and a freshly pulled HEI dizzy.... the boat now has some fresh silicone around the inlet manifold, cast heads and a cast manifold... the dizzy has new wire to it? Why? A nice big alloy radiator leaning against the shed, the boat has an old (green) copper radiator on it now.... nice shiny new hose clamps tho? That might mean the motor is made up of junk now and is basically untested? it might blow up the first time you get it in the water? Thats why I suggest you water test the boat, for at least an hour, see if it gets hot, smokey (blows up) :shock: Ask to see some recent photos of it.... see if anything has changed? heads, manifold, dizzy etc.

While you have the seller showing you the boat at the local boatramp, watch how he/she treats it..... do they slam it off the trailer onto the ground with a crash, start it up and rev the bejesus out of it while it is cold, mashin' the throttle & backin' off like they are lining up for Indy?.... full throttle across the gravel, over some rocks and a stump and 'splat' into the water? If they treat the boat like crap in front of a prospective buyer, imagine what the poor thing has gone thru in the past!?

Just a few thoughts, coz I have been ripped off in the past, dont want to see it happen to you guys. Sorry I am a bit sceptical, but I dont get ripped off any more (strange that) :lol:

Before you get there, write down a list of things to check for, so you don't overlook something.....Don't let the seller hurry you up, forcing you into a bad choice, it is a big investment, get it right & all will be well, I am sure....

Good luck :wink:
 
CactusJack said:
Ditchdr^
In Oz, we have folks in the community who are un biased & legally registered to 'witness' legal doccuments.... they are called in Oz a 'J.P.' (Justice of the Peace) Usually they are in banks, post offices, doctors, dentists, lawyers as well as just local folk who have been 'checked out' & done the course & sworn to the duty. They are not allowed to charge for their service, it is a community service & JP's usually do it for pride & community standing. Some legal forms and Statuatary Declarations must be witnessed & stamped/signed by a JP to be accepted as the truth. Lieing on a 'Stat Dec' puts you in the grey bar hotel.

Do you have anything like this in the US? If so, if the seller signs the BoS and "free of debt" bit, witnessed & stamped by a JP or the US equivalent, might have some clout in court if the seller lied & the buyer gets chased (or the boat gets repo'd) because of a lein?

J :wink:
Click to expand...
same as a Notary, they do charge for their service. But all that they are verifing, are that the people are, who they claim to be.
 
Sit2
Cool, well, at least if the poop hit the fan later, the cops would know who they are lookin' for :wink: if a notary had verified the sellers id.
 
Thanks guys, this will help me persuade my boyfriend to actually take a few extra precautions to ensure a smooth purchase. No offense but guys(my boyfriend for example :lol: ) sometimes think they have everything under control, they know exactly what to do and then they get mad when us girls make "suggestions" or considerations. ha ha He's a smart guy and has a lot of experience buying,selling and making fan boats for bowfishing but if I'm about to put some of my money on the line and endure a 20+ hour road trip, I dont think it's wrong to do a little asking around for tips/advice before handing my money over to a stranger. I'm sure his sneaky butt will find me on here, read my posts and laugh but if it keeps us from buyin a hot boat I bet he won't be laughin then huh :wink:
He doesn't know it yet but I'm not too keen on the name he has picked out for this boat...."Wet Spot" yeah I know you guys probably can't drive 30 min down a FL road without seeing a "Blow Me" or "Wet Spot" but seeing as I live in a sweet little conservative southern town where airboats aren't real common yet (and I'm over the age of 25...) I'm thinking not so much on the name. I'd go for an off-the-wall catchy boat name. I just think "Wet Spot" is a little too racy. I mean I can see it right now....... my grandmother down at the beauty shop and all the old ladies in there gasping over the name on the back of this weird looking boat that's around town. Then she see's it in my driveway..... Although I know his granddad would LOVE the name "Wet Spot." Ohh he'd just love it. So any good name ideas??? I mean I'm just asking for something maybe pg-13 not so much R...ha ha I'm a pretty cool girl, easy going and I like to have a good time but I just cant pull a boat through town with "WET SPOT" plastered all over it. any comments :bounce:
 
I'm a girl, and we have an extremely fast rigid hull inflatable boat which I built (200 HP Merc XS racing motor on a 15.5 ' boat). Since it's filled with air, I called it "Bad Air Day"--kind of playing off how blown apart you get when you drive it, plus it's fast, it's a girl's boat, etc. Had the name done up with flames coming off the letters; I've gotten a lot of nice comments. Anyway, that might work for your new airboat, as it obviously has the air connection too.

We just got ours--almost sunk it in the first 15 minutes. Now we're taking a lot of good advice we got on this site, and are going to learn in shallow water. Good luck.

Shannon
 
:lol: I can just imagine the grannies :shock: ( I bet a few had a quiet giggle to themselves tho) :lol:

I used to crew & drive for a guy/group waterskiing, he had about a 17' 350 SBC Doen Jet.... was really funny, coz the name he had professionally (beautifully) signwritten in big yellow & orange letters (on a dark, candy apple, metal flake red hull) was:

For Skiin' :lol:

I don't know how many times folks came up and asked why the boat is called Forskin?

In the end, I just said "coz it's owner is a C@ck :lol:

He was too, one time, Christmas, he towed the boat 300 miles to a beautiful freshwater lake... he hadn't bothered tying the boat (or hitching the winch cable) to the trailer, missed the road into the boatramp, did a U turn, floored the gas (showing off) yup, you guessed it, the boat rolled off the trailer, the jet hit the asphalt, cracked the transom, snapped off the nozzle & reverse cup plate! :oops: :shock: No skiin' that christmas :roll: :twisted:

Another time, at our local ski river, he was running the boat balls out at the beach (small 2 boat pocket beaches, with reed covered embankments each side) then throwing it into reverse and flooring it, the boat would stop dead, like it hit a wall. Anyway, one time, he did this (showing off, girls on the beach :roll: ) he flew up to the beach, threw it in reverse, floored it.... yup, you guessed it, the reverse flap went past it's stop point & under the nozzle..... the boat went full throttle up the reeds and ended up at about a 50 degree angle, the jet dug about 2' into the sand :roll: :lol: Took about 15 guys to lift the hull to get the jet out of its 'pocket' and back in the water :lol:

Lastly, he was showing off (again) to a crowd at a caravan/trailer holiday park, he ran the boat up a shallow riverlet (gravel/sand) to show how a jet only needs 4" of water....... the jet sucked up a gutfull of gravel, stopping the boat (like it hit a wall) & the windsheild broke (someone fell on it) The tide was going out, so the boat was beached for several hours :roll: Finally got it floated, he swum under and pulled (dug with a screwdriver) the gravel out of the intake, started the boat, & took off for the boat ramp. It boiled and blew off a hose from the heat exchanger :shock: The little hose from the jet to the heat exchanger was blocked solid with gravel, so the water in the heat exchanger wasn't being replaced/replenished, so it boiled in the exchanger, the motor wasn't getting any cooling :shock: :roll: Fried the motor :lol:

Like I said... a C@ck :lol:
 
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