Selling a boat - BOS

[GrantMadisen]

Can I make my own BOS to transfer ownership of a boat?

I know there are templates available on the internet but none of them fit my requirements, so am wondering if I can just make my own and send it in?

I have found a UK based site that generates them according to inputted data, (lawdepot.co.uk) do we think one of these would be accepted?


Thanks.

 

[GrantMadisen]

I'll add this extra bit of info to my original (I can't find the edit option)

I understand the boat is no longer on the SSR - it was originally on the SSR but it expired a number of years ago as it was not renewed.
I this case - is there any requirement for me to send the BOS to Where? Surely I only send the BOS to the MCA if the boat is registered on the SSR? Perhaps I just make my own BOS with shares and signatures etc, and pass this and the previous BOS to the new owners, they they keep it as proof of ownership?

 

[jwilson]

In the UK a Bill of Sale for a boat can be handwritten in multicoloured crayon on the back of a torn envelope, and be completely legal.

But why not use either the MCA one https://assets.publishing.service.g...6c3ee68f9b/MSF_4705_Rev_1118_Bill_of_Sale.pdf or the RYA one https://www.anchormarinesurveys.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RYA_BILLOF_SALE.pdf either of which will be slightly more reassuring to the next owner of the boat that that smeary multicoloured text on a torn envelope.

All that matters is that the new owner has written proof they bought it from you for some monetary consideration on a specific date, and for you that from that date you are no longer responsible for any debts incurred, beyond existing contracts such as mooring charges or bills from before that date.

If you don't want to show the amount in the Bill of Sale use "One Pound and other considerations". Unless it is a a Part I MCA registered boat and the new owner wants to keep it on Part I no-one else ever needs to see the Bill of Sale. SSR is Part III not Part I.

 

[Kwik Decision]

Selling what is currently an unregistered boat privately doesn't need any paperwork, you could simply accept the cash, and hand over the keys.
This isn't recommended though, far better to use one of the Bills of Sale jwilson has linked to. You don't need to send this, or any other paperwork, to anyone; boats aren't registered and controlled like cars, at least not in the UK.
If the new owner wishes to re-register on the SSR, that's up to them, but they will find this easier to do with a Bill of Sale.

 

[GrantMadisen]

In the UK a Bill of Sale for a boat can be handwritten in multicoloured crayon on the back of a torn envelope, and be completely legal.

But why not use either the MCA one https://assets.publishing.service.g...6c3ee68f9b/MSF_4705_Rev_1118_Bill_of_Sale.pdf or the RYA one https://www.anchormarinesurveys.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/RYA_BILLOF_SALE.pdf either of which will be slightly more reassuring to the next owner of the boat that that smeary multicoloured text on a torn envelope.

All that matters is that the new owner has written proof they bought it from you for some monetary consideration on a specific date, and for you that from that date you are no longer responsible for any debts incurred, beyond existing contracts such as mooring charges or bills from before that date.

If you don't want to show the amount in the Bill of Sale use "One Pound and other considerations". Unless it is a a Part I MCA registered boat and the new owner wants to keep it on Part I no-one else ever needs to see the Bill of Sale. SSR is Part III not Part I.

Hello and thanks for your help and suggestions.

The online ones look great but they all seem to bet set up to require two witnesses for each transferee, and I am struggling to get the correct number of "separate independent witnesses" (one per transferee), which is why they don't really fit my requirements.
Unless I could use the MCA from and in the witness section put "none present".

 

[GrantMadisen]

Selling what is currently an unregistered boat privately doesn't need any paperwork, you could simply accept the cash, and hand over the keys.
This isn't recommended though, far better to use one of the Bills of Sale jwilson has linked to. You don't need to send this, or any other paperwork, to anyone; boats aren't registered and controlled like cars, at least not in the UK.
If the new owner wishes to re-register on the SSR, that's up to them, but they will find this easier to do with a Bill of Sale.

Thanks for your reply - I was beginning to suspect this, hence my addendum.

I allowed the SSR to expire because it costs time and money to keep maintaining it, and I don't need it as I'm not using the waterways.

As you say - it looks like the layout of the BOS is not that important for the transfer in this case, unless in the future someone wants to re-register the vessel on the SSR, If the MCA refuse the BOS at that point I guess it could be re-addressed by the then owners to use a form the MCA are willing to accept.

 

[Tranona]

Thanks for your reply - I was beginning to suspect this, hence my addendum.

I allowed the SSR to expire because it costs time and money to keep maintaining it, and I don't need it as I'm not using the waterways.

As you say - it looks like the layout of the BOS is not that important for the transfer in this case, unless in the future someone wants to re-register the vessel on the SSR, If the MCA refuse the BOS at that point I guess it could be re-addressed by the then owners to use a form the MCA are willing to accept.

It is not about the form per se but about the record of title (ownership) that the registry needs. As already explained a boat is a chattel and there is no formal requirement to evidence a change in ownership but it is unwise not to do so. A buyer is likely to insist on it as it is evidence of title, just as s/he is likely to want to see the evidence of your title to re-assure that you have the right to sell. Both the MCA and RYS templates are free to use and there is no need for 2 witnesses - at least on the MCA. One will do and only needs to witness the transferor. (Looking at the MCA BoS for my boat just now)

 

[Sticky Fingers]

Agree with Tranona. If you're selling, and your prospective buyer is shown a home made BOS, that's likely to be a turn off. And if you're buying now, your vendor should be creating and offering you a proper BOS.

 

[doug748]

The RYA bill of sale template has no space for witnesses but you do need an account to get it....or some member to get it for you.