Paper Work for Buying a Boat?

whateverfun2 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-15-2010

Hello All,
I found a boat I would like to buy, but I had a question the boat is located in Oregon where I live but the guy selling it to me says it has Canadian registration or is from Canada. He bought it at auction, its a 26ft Haida and I was wondering, how hard it could to get it in Oregon registration. Is a bill of sale and the auction paperwork enough to cover me? Is there any other paperwork required so I know I am not being scammed,

Thanks again,
Aaron

kd3pc · #2 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010

you would need to check with your local folks to see what THEY require...often you can get by with a bill of sale..but being an auction boat, it may be an insurance write off, or have other issues.

but none of that will keep you from being scammed...you pay your money and you get the boat...you did get a survey?

sailingdog · #3 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010

I would recommend you be very wary. In Oregon, there is less reason for a person to have bought a boat from Canada than in one of the border states. You will probably want to get as much paperwork regarding his purchase of the boat as possible, since he does not have a title or registration by the sounds of it.

As KD3PC said, you will need to find out what the state requires for proof of ownership to get the boat registered.

Please do a thorough inspection of the boat and get a survey if it passes YOUR INSPECTION. Look at the Boat Inspection Trip Tips thread I started.

johnnyandjebus · #4 (**permalink**) 07-16-2010

Hey

I don't have any direct knowledge on this as I have never cross border shopped for a boat before so keep in mind my info is as I understand it.
If the boat is Canadain regestered it should have paper work to confirm this. If the boat is regestered it will be so with Canada Revenue and Customs. Assuming you have or can get paperwork to confirm the registration you can contact the government (Canadain) to get the details. Here is the rub in contacting the Canadain government as it relates to this. Canada Customs and Revenue is who you contact if you want to pay tax on the boat but if you want to inquire about the registration contact the Canada Services department
Service Canada - Programs and Services for You

This is a relatively new branch of government setup to handle many types of inquiries, boat related and otherwise, they may be able to help. If you can get the registration paper work from the current owner contacting them with the registration # may help to confirm that he is the current owner.

Also keep in mind that if the boat is built in Canada or the USA free trade kicks in and you should not have to pay any import tax above and beyond any sales tax. I believe the boat in question is American built correct?

edit: my mistake it appears that the Haida is Canadain made, I should have known by the name.

Please keep in mind the above is just how I understand things to be nothing more.

John

whateverfun2 · #5 (**permalink**) 07-21-2010

cool thanks for all your help...

olson34 · #6 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by whateverfun2

Hello All,
I found a boat I would like to buy, but I had a question the boat is located in Oregon where I live but the guy selling it to me says it has Canadian registration or is from Canada. He bought it at auction, its a 26ft Haida and I was wondering, how hard it could to get it in Oregon registration. Is a bill of sale and the auction paperwork enough to cover me? Is there any other paperwork required so I know I am not being scammed,

Thanks again,
Aaron

You need to speak to someone at the Oregon Marine Board about creating an Oregon title. Good people there, and they are independent of the state's general fund, being 100% funded by boat regis. $.

I imported a CN boat quite a few years ago, and created a new title from scratch. I had my bill of sale from the first owner and the survey. Since my boat was a 26 footer and smaller boats were not always titled in BC at that time I had to reassure the OMB that it was legit. and after a couple of letters back n forth they did issue the title. They are quite cautious about this to prevent someone from "laundering" a stolen boat.

The way you framed your question, I am not sure who you are concerned with scamming you, but going right to the source ( State of Oregon: Oregon State Marine Board ) is lots better than relying on strangers on the internet.

BTW, and you did not ask.... but the Ray Richards-designed Haida is a great-sailing offshore pocket cruiser. Which deck/cabin version are you looking at?

Best,
L

whateverfun2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010

I really don't know much about the boat I just kinda feel in love with it, I am 25 and just started to get into sailing. I been sailing 5 times but this boat was in my budget. I wanted something I could take into the Gulf of Mexico. I heard this boat is good I really don't know much about it. I was also wondering if anybody knows where the Hull ID numbers are on this boat or build number. Here is a few pictures.

Thanks for the help
Aaron

whateverfun2 · #8 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010

oh I called the OSM and told me what paper work I have to fill out and a sheriff is coming out to inspect the boat.

olson34 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010

Nice looking boat! I believe that your picture shows a late model one with the trunk cabin -- earlier ones were flush deck and so had less head room inside.

Nice bridge deck to keep obnoxious waves out and a motor well to maximize the drive from an outboard.

The HIN number code should be on the outside of the transom, unless it's earlier than '69 or '70, when the HIN was starting to be required to be molded into the gel coat.

Have fun with your boat!

L

mitiempo · #10 (**permalink**) 07-22-2010

John
What you said about Canadian Registration is true if the boat is Bluebook registered ( our version of the American Documentation) but not manu smaller boats are. If it is not it will probably be registered in the province the past owner lived in and that varies by province. This is only required if the boat has an engine of 10 horsepower or more but a 26' boat probably would have this.

Aaron
If the boat has a hull id number it is probably on the transom near the deck starboard side. I'm not sure when Canadian boats were required to do this but the Haida may predate this as they were built as early as 1965. Nice boat by the way, there is one just down the dock from me. And they were built right here in Victoria by Mayhew & Strutt.
HAIDA 26 Sailboat details on sailboatdata.com