Boat bill of sale template: free in Word, or sign it online
Reviewed in October 2026
A boat bill of sale records the private sale of a boat, its motor and, often, its trailer. It lists the hull identification number, the engine serial, the registration and the price. The buyer needs it to register or title the boat in their state.
[Life jackets, covers, electronics, anchors, fishing gear] are included.
5. Price
The total price is [amount] USD, [Option: of which amount for the boat, amount for the motor and amount for the trailer], paid by [method] on [date]. The Seller confirms receipt.
6. Ownership and liens
The Seller is the legal owner of the boat, motor and trailer and states they are free of liens, except [none / describe].
7. Condition
Everything is sold "AS IS". The Buyer has had the chance to inspect and sea trial the boat. Known issues: [none / list].
8. Registration
The Seller will sign over any state title and give the registration card. The Buyer registers or titles the boat and trailer and pays all taxes and fees.
9. Signatures
This bill of sale is governed by the laws of [state]. The parties agree to sign it electronically, with the same effect as handwritten signatures.
SELLER
Signature: ______________________
Name: [full name]
Date: [date]
BUYER
Signature: ______________________
Name: [full name]
Date: [date]
What the template includes
Year, make, model, length, hull material and HIN
Registration, title or federal documentation number
Motor with serial number and hours
Trailer included or not
Equipment that goes with the boat
Total price, with an optional split by item
Ownership, liens and as-is condition
Registration duties of each side
What you fill in
Field
Example
Date
October 21, 2026
Seller
Paul Turner, Tampa, FL
Buyer
Kelly Brooks, Sarasota, FL
Boat
2016 Boston Whaler 170 Montauk, 17 ft, fiberglass
HIN
BWCE1234B616
Motor
Mercury 90 hp, 2016, 410 hours
Trailer
Included, 2016 Karavan, VIN on title
Price
24,500 USD by bank transfer
How it gets signed
1Choose “Use this template”, fill in the fields and read the full boat bill of sale once more.
2Send it by WhatsApp or email. The other party opens the link on their phone without an account.
3They tap the brown bar at the bottom that says “Sign as …” and draw their signature with a finger.
4Everyone gets the signed PDF with its signature certificate. Anyone can check it at signsolu.com/verificar.
Before signing, each signer agrees to sign electronically. The screen links to the electronic signature disclosure the ESIGN Act asks for.
The bill of sale can be signed online. The boat title or registration is a separate state document. If your state still uses a paper title, the seller signs it by hand and hands it to the buyer.
Your first ten documents are free and need no card.
If the other side sends their own PDF form instead, fill in the PDF form online, add the date and your signature, and download it.
What the law says
Most boats with a motor are registered with the state where they are mainly used. Many states also title boats. Larger vessels can instead be documented with the US Coast Guard, which has its own bill of sale form for documented vessels.
The hull identification number identifies the boat as a VIN identifies a car. Check it on the transom against the registration before you buy.
The ESIGN Act gives an electronic signature on this bill of sale the same effect as ink. State and federal agencies decide which of their own forms they accept signed electronically.
Boat, motor and trailer
In many states the boat, the outboard motor and the trailer are separate items with separate numbers. Some states title the motor or the trailer apart from the boat. List all three in the bill of sale so the buyer can register each one.
Splitting the price by item, as clause 5 allows, can help with sales tax where items are taxed differently.
Before you buy a used boat
1Match the HIN to the registration and title.
2Check the engine hours and service records.
3Do a sea trial in calm water.
4Consider a marine survey for larger boats.
5Confirm there is no loan on the boat.
Documented vessels
A boat documented with the Coast Guard carries an official number instead of state numbers. The transfer of a documented vessel uses federal forms. This bill of sale still records the deal between buyer and seller.
A worked example
Paul sells his 17-foot Boston Whaler with its 90 hp motor and trailer to Kelly for 24,500 USD. They sea trial it on Saturday.
Kelly sends the money and signs from her phone at the ramp. Paul signs the bill of sale and the state titles, and Kelly registers the boat and the trailer the next week.
What changes from state to state
Titles. Some states title boats, some only register them, and some title only boats above a set length.
Motors. A few states title or register outboard motors separately.
Trailers. Boat trailers follow the state’s trailer rules.
Sales or use tax. Usually paid by the buyer at registration.
Notarization. A few states ask for a notarized bill of sale.
Check with your state boating agency before the sale.
After the sale
Remove your registration decals if your state asks, cancel your insurance and keep the signed bill of sale. The buyer applies for the new registration with it.
Checklist for handover day
1Payment received and cleared.
2Bill of sale signed by both.
3Titles for boat, motor and trailer signed, where issued.
4Registration card handed over.
5Keys, manuals and safety gear handed over.
6Insurance cancelled after the boat leaves.
Take photos of the HIN, the motor serial plate and the trailer VIN on the day of the sale. Attach them to your records.
Avoiding common scams
Overpayment checks. A buyer sends more than the price and asks for the difference back. The check later bounces.
Fake payment screenshots. Wait until the money shows in your own account.
Title washing. Check the boat history for salvage or flood brands before you buy.
Shipping requests. A buyer who cannot see the item and wants it shipped at once is a warning sign.
If something feels off, stop the sale. A real buyer will wait for the money to clear and will want a sea trial.
For larger boats, a marine survey also protects the buyer from hidden damage and helps with insurance.
Send the signed PDF to the buyer the same day. Many boating agencies ask for it within a short window after the sale.
Keep your own copy for several years with the payment record.
Is a boat bill of sale signed online legally binding?
Yes. The ESIGN Act gives an electronic signature the same legal effect as a handwritten one. The signed PDF and its certificate show who signed the boat bill of sale, when and from which device.
Does the buyer need a SignSolú account to sign?
No. They open the link on their phone and sign with the brown bar at the bottom of the screen.
Can I download the boat bill of sale in Word?
Yes. “Download in Word” gives you the full boat bill of sale with no email and no account. You can print it or edit it and sign it here later.
Does the boat bill of sale cover the trailer?
Yes, if you fill in clause 3. The buyer may still need to register the trailer separately.
What is a HIN?
The hull identification number, a 12-character code on the transom. It identifies the boat like a VIN.
Do kayaks and canoes need a bill of sale?
Most states do not register boats without motors, but a bill of sale still proves the purchase.
Can I sell a boat without a title?
In states that do not title boats, the registration and the bill of sale are enough. In title states, the buyer needs the signed title.
