Ohio Documentation Requirements when Buying From PA

[maestro_k]

I from Ohio, considering buying a boat from PA. The boat is a '96, 16' boat with a 70 hp outboard.

According to my understanding in Ohio I will need to title the boat, title the outboard, and have a certificate of origin to get plates for the trailer.

However, the seller does not have a PA title for the boat. All he has is a registration, and when he had asked for a title he was told he did not need one. (According to the PFBC website boats older than '97 don't need to be titled.

My question is, if I purchase the boat, what documentation will I need to get the boat and outboard properly titled in Ohio?

Is the registration and a bill of sale sufficient? Would the bill of sale need to be notarized?

 

[roscoe]

Looks pretty straight forward for the trailer.

You will need a title for the boat from the seller according to OH DNR website.
If he can't provide a title , it may be trouble.

No mention of how to deal with the outboard.

Best you get your answers directly from the DNR and the BMV. Don't take someone's word for it.


http://watercraft.ohiodnr.gov/registrationfaq
[h=3]How do I register my trailer?[/h]
Boat Trailers are registered through the BMV like your vehicle -- annually, expiring on your date of birth.

If your trailer weighs less than 4,000 lbs., a title is not issued, and thus is not required in order to register the trailer.

You will need to take your Ohio driver license or state identification card to your nearest Deputy Registrar location to register. If you do not have an Ohio driver license or identification card, you must provide proof of your social security number.

You will also need proof of weight to register. You may use the Manufacturer’s Certificate of Origin / Statement of Origin, or you may use the previous owner’s Ohio registration. If the previous owner did not register the trailer in Ohio, or you do not have an MCO / MSO, you will need an Official Ohio Weight Slip to tow the trailer to any Ohio official weigh station to have it weighed. If the trailer weighs 10,000 lbs. or less and is to be registered in an individual’s name, it may register for non-commercial use. However, if the trailer weighs 10,001 lbs. or more, or if it is to be registered in a company name, it must be registered for commercial use.

• Official Ohio Weight Slip [pdf]
• Vehicle Scales Search (ODA) - Search for "vehicle scale"
• Registration Fee Chart for Non-commercial Trailers [pdf] (BMV)
• Deputy Registrar Locations (BMV)

[h=3]Buying a used boat?[/h]

• You don't own it until you have a title for it in your name.
• You can't register it until you have a title for it in your name.

 

[JASinIL2006]

If you cannot get a title for the boat, don’t even consider buying it. Buying boats and trailers from states that have different requirements than yours is always a gamble. There are enough boats out there, that you would probably be better off just buying one from a state that does require titles, etc.