The thing to be tired of is that Texas is so strict with this. I can totally understand if it's a newer boat, but if it's like an old boat from the 70's, they shouldn't be so uptight

EXCELLENT ADVICE!!! I live in Texas and I've owned 29 JetSkis, 3 power boats, and 2 sailboats. When I call somebody to inquire about a boat, the first thing I ask is, "Do you have a clear title for it in YOUR name?" Even then I've driven hundreds of miles to buy one only to find that they've lied to me.

Thank you, you just saved $500 on a boat I was looking at with no title!

YES! I have always wanted to rebuild a boat as a personal project, until I found out the Crap you have to go thru. Now I know why I see all of these boats just abandoned in Texas. I am glad I found this out before I picked up a trashed up boat to try to fix it.

I'm glad you posted this video. In about a year I plan on getting a boat and thought that getting a title if it didn't have one was not going to be an issue. You have convinced me otherwise. I'll make sure they have a title in their name before I do anything.

Good sir, I was close to buying a no title project boat. Your video saved me so much headache! You are doing a public service! Thank you so much

Thanks for the heads up. Way more complex than I ever expected.

Great information, thank you! So many jet skis on CL without a title...

You are 100% correct, no matter how good of a deal the boat or jet ski is it is not worth the trouble you have to go through to get it titled. I had done this in 2007 with a jet ski I bought in Louisiana. After taking weeks to find the original owner and sending a registered letter I could get a bonded title only after finding someone at TPW that would help out and it still took 2 months to get a title. . Needless to say I will not go through that again.

Thank you for info I live here in San Antonio and I've been seeing a lot of boats without titles thank you for heads up.

Great info and I do not live in TX but still watched it and enjoyed it. Got to love the red tape mouse wheel :-) The best part is that you said a lien sale from a boat yard is OK. That is good to know. I just put up a video about how to buy a lien sale boat and they are all from places like boat yards and marinas etc but not form private people.

Thanks for sharing this. I was looking at old bass boats to turn into a tiller steer flats boat now I know to stay away from the no title boats.

Well it appears my DIY trolling motor powered flat bottom fishing boat project may have just gotten more complicated... Thank you Texas State Parks, Wildlife, and Assholes for making a fun project into a pain in the ass... Thank you FriscoBoater for putting this information out here, it is much appreciated!

Thanks for posting this. I do see tons of "No title" jet skis on craigslist. If you buy a small non-motorized sailboat (under 14-feet) you can get away without a title but that's about it.

weeeellll shit I wish I would have seen this 3 days ago.

Texas needs to let DPS title boats, bonded titles are so much easier to come by. It’s all BS though only letting wealthy people have nice things. I just purchased an offshore boat for $1000 bucks no title. I will do what I can to get a bonded title but I’m still gonna use it, if I get a ticket I’ll explain to the judge I own the property in question and the State refuses to recognize my ownership with bill of sale.

Texas boat with no title = yard art...

Having same problem thanks for the heads up

I appreciate your video. I found this problem out also. Craigslist ticked me off about it so I posted information about boat titles in Texas and not to buy with out a title. LOL I started getting hate mail because of that.

Great info similar rules in NC it is truly amazing how may water craft and trailer ads state what you said, That is the first thing i ask for when calling or emailing an ad. I will add this it is real easy for the titled owner to get the title so if they don`t one most likely their is some funny business going on

Thanks, this video is very helpful infos. I lived in TX and I almost bought a boat w/o title. Now I don't think i want to get one s/o a title even it free.

thank you very much. you already answered my questions.

I want to thank you soooo much for this public service announcement. I'm new to tx and have been looking to buy a project boat and have been seeing all of these boats for sale without a title, or a title that wasn't switched over. Thank you for saving me all the headache and hassle that I would have encountered.

HOW VALUABLE this information is!!! I have been looking around for a preowned outboard fishing boat and THE MOST common thing I am noticing on CL posts is "Title is under previous owner, not mine" when I call them and ask for those things, my follow up question to that has always been HOW CAN YOU SIGN A BILL OF SALE THEN?. As I search online I can see that the current owner can file a transfer NOTIFICATION online when a sale transaction is being closed. I still have a lingering question and I know this helpful video was posted LONG AGO but let me try and see if I get a reply (crossing fingers). I know the ideal scenario is to have the seller go with you to TWP and do this along with the buyer BUT IF NOT THE CASE...Do you need a BILL OF SALE besides the PWD144 and PWD143 to complete this process a TWP??? or is it just the titles and those forms ENOUGH to process a owner transfer?? To whoever finds this message and provides some input THANK YOU in advance!!!

@oney135 A lot of states are that way. Texas got really strict aster the large hurricanes. People were squatting on large yachts and then filing for a titles.

I was given a boat from out of state recently. I had the title however the previous owner was medically declining and was unable to sign a PWC 143 doc. Fortunately his signature was on the title however, and Texas Parks and Wildlife accepted it without his sig on the 143 doc. Registering a boat in Texas is a pain in the ass.

Thanks for the information!

Thank you for this vid.. I was about to buy a beautiful boat 🛥 with no title .. well I guess I could use it as yard art and dream im on the water ! 😎

There is a fairly simple solution you didn't mention. Register the boat in a state like TN that does not require titles. They will provide you with a Registration Card. That card will be accepted as proof of ownership when you re-register the boat in TX. Easy-peasy, works every time.

We inherited a boat from our grandpa after he died. He lived in Arkansas and had it titled there. They said we needed to get the serial number but we couldn't find it on the boat anywhere. They said you'll have to hunt down a ranger and get him to inspect it and verify that the serial number isn't available which we did but the ranger wouldnt give it a green light because he said he couldn't verify it wasn't stolen. So I can verity what your saying is correct. It's not just hard to get a title for a boat in Texas that doesn't have the perfect circumstances but impossible. At this point we are contemplating taking it back to Arkansas and selling it there and then using the cash to come back to Texas and buy one titled in Texas. What a nightmare!!

Thanks for this informative video!!!!!

Thanks for the information, it was very helpful.

I don't know why you had so much trouble, I bought a boat from lsa auctions from an impound lot in ftw, they provided me with a storage lien packet to apply for title, went to tpwd off 121 handed them the packet paid the fees and applied for title, title came back in my name 16 days later, then again this video is 10yrs old, I purchased a matching pair of seadoos a few months back with no titles and had to fill out 7-8 different tpwd forms, mail a couple of certified letters, got a surety bond, all in all 53 days later I had 2 bonded titles in my hand, it's not the process it's lazy ass people, me personally I don't care if it has a title as long as the hin comes back clear, no liens, stolen ect.ect, I will get a title period, great video btw, oh and bonded titles on pwc are transferable, so it can be resold

This is true. Unfortunately this leads to alot of abandonment problems, as people would rather dump a boat than pay for storage or go through the hassle of straightening thing out.

Great video! My Texas title separated into two parts. It is three months old. There are nearly invisible perforations which caused the title to separate. I took the boat o Insurance Auto Auction to sell. It was parked in large front parking lot while I went into office. The clerk said the title was not acceptable taped together. I went to TWildL and was told the title was fine taped with no obliterations. When I immediately returned to IAA - my boat was gone. They had towed it and wanted $40.00 day storage! ..rip off non customer service when I tried to protest. Female at corporate was worse. The place the boat was parked is an open lot with vehicles parked 24 hrs, transports etc. .

thanks for this information...

Same in Kentucky...

Nice vid, thanks for the tips. Can you show how to fill out a title of a boat my friend is going to sell me one and i want to be sure how to fill out the back of it

good information Thanks

Hi Jay, I know this is old. If I'm not mistaken there is a way to get a tittle for an abandoned boat or motor. HOWEVER it has to be on private property and only the property owner can file for title. Plus it has to have been there for at least 6 months with proof of that time. Now I could be wrong about it all but that is how I understand it. What is your understanding? There is a boat locally that is in an add. There is no title. The owner passed away. And the hull is damaged from a tree during Harvey. I thought about getting it and scrapping the boat. Keeping the Engine and Volvo outdrive. I'm I wrong in thinking that getting an IO that way would not have title issues? Then put that in a titled hull with bad IO? Love the channel. You have given me more reason to search harder to get a boat I can fix up. Oh P.S. I hate these Texas boat title laws they SUCK! I'm about 100 miles due East of Houston in Bridge City.

Thank you for all the information i purchased a PWC in fl and now i want to register it in texas any tips?

Thanks man now i know appreciate the info

I am restoring my second old boat. The first did not have a title. I told the TPWD that it has never been titled. Did some paperwork and they made me a title. Kind of like going to the courthouse for trailer tags. You just tell them the trailer is homemade and you do not need a bill of sale or title to get tags. Unless it is of a certain size. If they would have shown a previous TX title, then I would have got further directions from that point. Alot of older and out of state boats do not have a paper trail. And that is the best option. I just bought an older motor with a title. Went to transfer the title to my name and they wanted more money than I had in my pocket. Motor does not require registration, so the only purpose I can see for titling the motor is to prove ownership, which I can do with the original title from the original owner. One day when I decide to sell, the next person will get a boat title, and the previous owners motor title. Yes I know that is not %100 legit, but it really doesn't matter on this old motor in my opinion, and the game warden only cares about the license stickers on the boat and the little card they give you to carry for the boat.

This video scared the crap out of me because I was restoring a boat I bought last year and didn't receive a title upon purchase. I sent a request for a bonded title in and they responded within a week that a bonded title wasn't necessary. Of course I had a ton of paperwork to back up my claim of ownership and I had to pay a pretty penny in interest and fees but it all worked out. Tpwd are super easy to deal with. That's why I always check the donation box when I renew my registration. Money we

Thank you for shearing this message vary helpful, but I have a question also and hopefully you can do a video on this one I got a boat that has both moter and boat titles signed over by the last owner and steal having problems getting my registration sticker for it because the storage company I got it from didn't do there paper work correctly what should I do now ?

Don't know which state is a require title state ? But I do know that all state is a require ( registration ) state for proof of ownership and most state require a notary to show proof of exchanging hands of Registration OR Title before you can register the registration over to your name 1st AND then you can apply for a title over in your name if you wish ? That is Louisiana laws and is one of the strictest state in the country . ....... you are exactly right ! Do NOT buy any vehicles or trailers or equipment or boats that will be use on the public water way or public highway unless you can show proof of ownership and can be legally put in your name ! Do NOT take any excuse if or but about it ! When the game warden or coast guard or the police pulled you over ? He only want to see one thing only .... you the actual legal owner of that boat , vehicle , or trailer .... no if and but about it !

My gosh I'm glad I watched this before I got myself in a nightmare situation. Thank you for this great video.

Thanks for the info

Thank you Frisco Boater for posting this because I like you am tired of all the ignorance surrounding the issue. Those of us who care should all go to our local TPWD offices and have sit down meetings with people who can make a difference as well as write gov. Abbott to point out the problem as well as solutions! I'm in.....who else...?

Thank you man you just save me 2000$

I fully agree, without the correct paperwork, the short answer is NO. That said, if you REALLY like the boat, a bonded title can be had, even with a lien from a closed bank... It takes a lot of patience and research to do, however, and depending on the bank you may need to make the payoff...

Thank You!

I live in Iowa and bought my first boat without a title, big mistake. I’ve been going through hell trying to get it registered. The lady at the accessors office is giving me attitude. I had a bill of sale but she said it’s not good because the guy I bought it from isn’t on the title. So frustrating. I don’t want to get pulled over out on the water by the dnr and get a big fine

Not sure how long ago this was done, but there have been changes to the Texas law recently (what i was told y the TPWD) and bonded titles are now Soooooo expensive it is almost mot worth it.

Question: I'm looking at a boat in Tennessee where they don't issue title for boats.. bill of sale and registration only. Ever have experience with that? If so, how hard is it? I know that TPWD has a process for boats coming from a state that doesn't have titles, just not sure about it (obviously going to call them as well)

Question? What do you do if on the river you fish in texas there is a jon boat that has been abandoned for years now and no labels no numbers no stickers nothin on it and i know i can make it run fine with a new motor but how would i make it under my name first ect.

What about the outboard motor same thing? I have a boat with a title but no title for motor.

So what about with abandoned boats? I was given a boat from someone who remodels houses and was gonna throw it away, if not atleast I didn't pay for my yard art but that's a big bummer because Its a really good quick project boat and great catfish boat

Your absolutely right. Mine was a craigslist trade. I got the boat from the guy who got it from the original owner. I never had boats so I did get what looked like titles but only copies of titles. I did locate owner and he signed what I thought were titles and TPWD said no go. They also still showed a lien which the owner never cleared with the state even though there isnt a lien. Now lien company is out of business so dead end. Doubt owner will help since he made that deal with another party.

The lady at the tag agency once told me dont ever ever ever ever but a boat or jetski without a title.Because a lot of times their stolen,and you don't want that headache.

Great video. I buy and sell boats as well. Another good idea that I always do, is get the TX hull numbers, and do a online boat ownership inquiry on the tpwd website. A lot of people will lie and claim they are the owner that is listed on the title. I can look at when it was last registered, the owners address, and FULL name before I waste my time and make the drive. If anything sounds fishy over the phone, or the info doesn't match the sellers story, I back out. I wish tpwd would spend our tax dollars wisely, and do a sting on all of these jokers selling boats with no titles, and boats with titles not in their name. They could bust thousands just off craigslist alone. It's sad that the crooked folks ruin it for us all. Thanks again for your video. I hope it helps all of the new boaters out there

Great video. One caveat. You can use a Bill of sale, as long as it has the hull id on it, and signed by the owner. In this case they dont that form.

Does this apply to small boats like little 12ft John boats?

Bought an outboard at auction, no title, no one can track the original owner so not much I can do with it, it runs great but I guess it's just parts now

My situation is a bit different; got a boat to make payments on, just a $500 john boat, got half way through payments and was told by the seller(friend) I'd have to file for lost title as he isn't the original owner. Fast forward 7 years it's still in my backyard untouched by water, and numerous calls to come get the dang thing. I wasn't gonna pay another penny if I couldn't have the title. Can't get him to come get it. I don't even know what I'm legally able to do to get it far away from me

This is a strange post because I just got a title on a boat that I found abandoned. TPWD does still have a bonded title process. On my boat the titled owner was dead, and therefore could not sign the title over to me. I applied for a bonded title, did the paperwork, and because the boat was not expensive, they did not even require a bond. Took 2 weeks and voila...a new title in my name.

can I row a 14ft w/o registration

I think I got duped, I bought a 12ft Jon boat, and he had the title and the form PWD 143, both were signed by the original owner but no dates of course or amount of the purchase. I saw that Texas has a PWD form 1238, and that's for people that were in the middle . It says if you can't reach that person or this-that-and-the-other-thing you're still liable for the penalty fees of the original seller. So I'm going to present the two forms that are signed and see what happens thank you for your video

Thank you this was an awesome education and will save someone's a..........

Does anybody know if these same rules apply for the state of Illinois?

i just bought a pwc, i got the title and bill of sale but didnt get the 143 form signed. can i title it under my name still or do i have to make the long drive to get it filled out?

by any chance, you know anything about the laws on lost titles in Mississippi?

How would i register a boat online in TX? I bought it from Academy,i have bill of sale and pwd 143 just needing a little info,Thanks!

Quick question. My friend left his boat with me as she closed shop. He owned a boat shop. I kept many of his boats on my property while he relocated. He gifted me a boat (no motor) just thr hull as repayment for storing his boats. He picked up all his boats and left me that one boat, which is registered under his name. I have had it here for over 5 years now but cant do anything to it because he has yet to give me the title. He states he lost it but has now ignored my communication. What can I do?

How much do you think a $500 pelican boat bonded title will cost?

J, You should tell your friend to sale his boat in ga. LOL

so,was a good idea dig into youtube & found your video

Hey how if i dont have bill of sale in kansas how do i get it registered so i can put a motor on and use it

One caveat is the age of the boat. In about 2001 my neighbor gave me a 14' jon and 9.8 merc. I transferred the registration and did not have to title it. The motor was not titled either because were made in 1970. All I got was a card with "boat and motor" I still run them on the river and fortunately will never sell them.

I was pretty close to buy a no title boat in Tx.

What about a boat like a johnboat in which you don't need one unless you put a motor on it how does that work

Where can we find that excel spreadsheet? What is the name of it?

Do you need one for jhon boats 3.5 hp outboard motor

I have a signed title for a jetski, but no bill of sale. Can I still get it registered?

I was able to get my boat titled and registered in Texas at my local Tax Collector's office. Did not have to deal with the Texas Parks and Wildlife guys -- I did mess up and bought the boat from Joe Blow, who had bought it from John Doe, but Joe Blow never got the boat transferred into his name. Thankfully, I was able to track down John Doe and get him to sign the title transfer paper and a bill of sale. -- Whew

Does this apply to jetski ?

I have a question. My grandpa gave me his sailboat in November, I paid to have the registration in his name, we paid for the title in his name, we were told by Texas Parks and Wildlife that the title would be mailed to the house. It never was. My grandpa got really sick and passed away before we got the title, becuase they told us that he has to go in person to get it from their office, but he couldn't leave the house. He was bed ridden. Now, he passed away in February and I have all the other forms signed by him, we just don't have the title. What can I do??

I knew someone to confirm this for me sooner or later.

what if you get it from auction

I had bought a small jon boat from a friends grandpa and been sitting on it for a few years and cannot get it titled. The original owner died in 1985.

Do you mind if I give you a call about this? Im in McKinney. SOunds like you are right next door in Frisco, TX

Just went through this nightmare in Oklahoma - bought a boat from a guy that Had he title but not in his name -- had to track down the previous owner (Facebook is good for this) and what a nightmare -- If I ever buy another boat I will not do it without the owner/title/plus all notarized docs being available ......Oklahoma requires titles and NOTARIZED sales doc now. I think all states are responding to Boat theft in this manner. DO NOT BUY A BOAT WITHOUT A VALID TITLE FROM THE EXISTING OWNER OR YOU WILL REGRET IT!!!!

Yes sir. I was looking at a jet boat the other day and the guy had not changed the title into his name and thought it was ok just to sell it with someone else's name on it. You cannot do that.

What about homemade boats, or the requirements in Florida....

Hey, I bought a jon boat from my next door neighbor. It was her husband boat but he passed away few years back. She sold it to me but could find the title for it. The title was under his name. Can she be able to get one or can I just get one with a bills of sale.

I have a 14' Jon boat. it was given to me years ago. My best friends Grandfather gave it to me. He passed away a couple years later. It is a good little pond boat for out here on our land in East Texas. My question is. where can i use it at? it had no motor and had no motor now. Can I use this boat in registered in any of the lake's in the area since it is in powered? Or is it a dedicated pond boat? Thanks Leo

In Texas you can apply for a lost title even if your not on the title. However the title will be sent to the person listed on the title. I just recently did this and the person mailed me the title when they received it.

What if you live in OK but buy with a bill of sale in TX?

i was wondering if you have an email posted somewhere Frisco?

Thank you , your video saved me ...I feel sorry for the person this boat seller is going to screw over...