Canadain boats and ownership transfer

[AllThumbs]

Is it legal in Canada to own a boat without the ownership papers. In other words, is it ok to buy a boat from a guy who doesn't have the original ownership papers? Does a boat need to be registered, or is it just a good idea.

The most obvious problem would be the posibility of buying a stolen boat, but what about if you bought it from a relative or whatever/

Eric

[canadianseamonkey]

I should really know this answer, but I'm drawing a blank. I went through this a few years ago, buying a boat from the US.

Check out this site
Welcome to Service Canada | Bienvenue ŕ Service Canada
you'll find the answer and if you don't just give them a call.

From what I know, all you need is a receipt from the seller, the hull number and some boat info. Not all boats are registered, only licensed.

[rikhall]

Ahoy

Questions - how big is the boat, and how much HP for the engine?

Quote:

A pleasure craft licence is the number placed on the sides of each recreational vessel as required under the Small Vessel Regulations of the Canada Shipping Act. All recreational vessels under 15 gross tons (12 metres or less) and powered by an engine 10 horsepower (7.5 kilowatts) or more must be licensed or registered, regardless of where they operate in Canada.

Here is the link for the application to license a pleasure craft in Canada.

I hope that helps.

(We have just completed the process to "Register" a pleasure craft in Canada that was purchased in the USA.)

Cheers

[AllThumbs]

Thanks for the link. It looks like a bill of sale and the boat hull number is sufficient. If the boat has a motor less than 10 HP it looks like it doesn't need to be licenced at all. In this case it seems the operator doesn't need to be certified either.

Eric

[rikhall]

Originally Posted by AllThumbs

In this case it seems the operator doesn't need to be certified either.

Eric

This might help with your last line (the key date for everyone is September 15, 2009):

===============
Date at which proof of competency is required *

How this applies to operators** of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes:

• All operators born after April 1, 1983, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 1999.
• All operators of craft under 4 m in length, including personal watercraft, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 2002.
• All operators, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 2009.

Applies to non-residents operating their pleasure craft in Canadian waters after 44 consecutive days. Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.
=========

And. it is from here

[AllThumbs]

Date at which proof of competency is required *

How this applies to operators** of pleasure craft fitted with a motor and used for recreational purposes:

All operators born after April 1, 1983, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 1999.
All operators of craft under 4 m in length, including personal watercraft, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 2002.
All operators, proof of competency required on board by September 15, 2009.
Applies to non-residents operating their pleasure craft in Canadian waters after 44 consecutive days. Operator card or equivalent issued to a non-resident by their state or country will be considered as proof of competency.

Thanks. I was planning on getting my licence anyways.

[rikhall]

For getting your PCOC I recommend your local CPS-ECP club. Linda and I have had really good experiences with them. Just my opinion.