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Question for Illinois boaters -registration

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Happy D
Admiral

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921 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/21/2008 : 09:40:14

Do boat owners in Illinois have titles for your boats or just the registration? I'm looking to acquire a boat from Illinois but the current owner is having a tough time locating the title. He has the registration.
In Michigan, they don't use titles unless you specifically request one. Registrations only.
Thanks
Dan

1977 SK/SR Dinette Hull #29
1979 ChrisCraft 251
1965 Chris Craft Cutalss

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2008 : 14:28:17

The following Illinois state website will provide basic information regarding boat titling laws. http://dnr.state.il.us/admin/boats.htm I haven't searched the website carefully, but, if it doesn't answer your specific question, it'll undoubtedly provide a means of contacting customer service, either online or by telephone.

One thing I know for sure is that the state doesn't issue a certificate of title and then give the only copy of it to the owner, so that he can proceed to lose it. The state will have a record of certificates of title, and, if the present owner applies for a duplicate, and presents a photo driver's license as proof of his identity, the state will undoubtedly provide a duplicate certificate of title.

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dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2008 : 15:06:43

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Happy D
 In Michigan, they don't use titles unless you specifically request one. Registrations only.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Actually, Michigan requires all watercraft 20 feet and longer to be titled.

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32chevcab
Deckhand

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12 Posts

Response Posted - 12/21/2008 : 20:03:51

The owner needs a Illinois's "Watercraft Certificate of Title" before you can get the boat registration number in Illinois. I bought a boat this last year from a guy in Michigan who had no paper work and I had to produce evidence of purchase (a letter from the owner) for the boat and for the trailer before I could get both legal. If the boat has a trailer he has a "Certificate of Title of a Vehicle" also. Both these forms have a place for re-assignment of title. Both titles can be reissued by if lost for a fee.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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5908 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2008 : 06:27:51

Incidentally, even though the transfer of the certificate of title legally makes you the new owner of the boat, you should also prepare a Bill of Sale, and have the owner sign it at the same time he signs over the certificate of title to you. The reason is because the certificate of title only transfers ownership of the boat to you, but it doesn't transfer ownership of all the boat's equipment to you. If you're unlucky enough to be dealing with an unscrupulous seller, he might try to strip the boat of it's whisker pole, or spinnaker, or gps, or compass, or anchor, or barbecue grill, or pop top cover, or bimini top, or perhaps even the motor or trailer, and sell them separately. The bill of sale should specifically list every item that is of significant value and that is included with the sale. In most cases, the seller will be fair and honest, and this won't be a problem, but the bill of sale is an important way to protect yourself from the occasional unscrupulous seller.

The bill of sale isn't a complicated document. It should include the names, addresses and phone numbers of all sellers, it should state that the boat and the listed equipment is being sold, and should state the price to be paid. It should list the HIN number of the boat and the serial number of the motor and any equipment that bears a serial number, such as the motor or trailer. It should include a statement by the sellers that there is no lien or encumbrance on the boat or any of the equipment. Finally, it should be dated and signed by all sellers and buyers.

Personally, I wouldn't count all the plastic silverware included in the deal, but certainly all the valuable equipment that is either not attached to the boat, or that is only loosely attached and easily removable, should be listed.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 12/22/2008 08:30:07

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 12/22/2008 : 08:52:01

Another reason for a Bill of Sale is that some states require it so you can pay sales tax (or prove that it was paid) in order to register the boat. In CT, that includes used boats and boats purchased in other states. Note that if you show a lower price in order to pay less tax (illegal but hard to detect), that price will contribute to a lower Blue Book listed value for the year and model--that's where it comes from.

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 12/22/2008 08:55:18

Old Disco Queen
1st Mate

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USA
66 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2008 : 17:47:36

Illinois for me gave me and Old Disco both title and registration certificates. Hope that helps and welcome to the fun!

Stephen

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Jmurfy
Navigator

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USA
176 Posts

Response Posted - 12/25/2008 : 22:33:34

I live in Illinois and have the title for my C25 which I bought in Michigan.

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5908 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2008 : 07:02:04

If memory serves me, when you sell a boat in Illinois, for example, to an out-of-state buyer, the buyer first has to take the title to the title bureau in the state of purchase (Illinois) to transfer it into the buyer's name, and then the buyer has to take his new title to the title bureau in his home state, to get a certificate of title issued in his home state. Even if Michigan doesn't require certificates of title, you'll probably have to follow a similar procedure, because you'll still have to obtain registration in Michigan, and they'll want to collect their state use tax from you. (On that point, when you buy a boat, you'll either have to pay a sales tax where you buy it, or a use tax in your home state where you use it. When you transfer the title into your name in Illinois, you should declare that you'll be removing the boat from the state promptly, and that should legally exempt you from paying sales tax in Illinois. Then, when you register the boat in Michigan, you should pay the use tax, which should be the same percentage as your local sales tax. You should only have to pay tax on the transfer in one state.}

Edited by - Steve Milby on 12/26/2008 07:03:59

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 12/26/2008 : 09:59:38

Actually, Michigan requires any vessel using machine propulsion, including electric motors, to be registered.

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