Texas requires boats to be titled in the owner’s name. You bought a boat from a different person other than the person named on the boat’s title. You did not get a bill of sale, nor did you get a signed written statement from the seller explaining the circumstances that led to him not being listed on the title as the owner. You are now in possession of that boat. I’m sure you can see potential red flags here.

If you want to do things legit, you should go back to the seller and execute a bill of sale, which includes a statement in there explaining why he never titled the boat in his name, and also get a copy/take a picture of his DL. If you do all of this stuff you will be able to title the boat easier and avoid being potentially accused of being in possession of a stolen boat. But at the end of the day, it’s a 60 year old boat with apparently minimal value, so maybe nobody at TPWD or LE will care anyway no matter how you handle it. Good luck!

 

Thanks. Already mentioned in my post I had a buddy run everything on the boat and it’s NOT stolen. So shame on me I guess right? I fell in love with a boat and drove it home. Your reply to my post pretty much repeated what I was asking. Literally no help. But thanks rockfish.

 

If you show up to their office as is, you’ll likely discover that you aren’t in compliance and they will tell you what you need. Rockfish isn’t far off.

Usually there’s 3 separate titles required, but without a motor, you’ll be required to show 2 titles (hull and trailer).

Or, go with the story you’re sharing here and tell them what you’ve done in lieu of obtaining the titles. They may waive the requirements.

Please share the outcome of your visit at the TPWD office with your story above. We’re ready to learn new things.

 

You'll be ok, like others said TPWD will get you on a correct path, the title can also work as a bill of sale if it has a purchase price line on the back.
Good luck with it, be real cool if you could find an outboard from the same generation to power it with

 

You'll be ok, like others said TPWD will get you on a correct path, the title can also work as a bill of sale if it has a purchase price line on the back.
Good luck with it, be real cool if you could find an outboard from the same generation to power it with

Question. I Just bought a used StarCraft 60’s model boat today from a guy off fb market place. Just boat and trailer. No motor. He had the signed title for the boat and never transferred it in his name. But I have signed title from original owner apparently. I thought about walking but loved the boat. All serial numbers matched. So I paid and drove the boat home. No bill of sale but have evidence on messages with Facebook. Anyways am I screwed if I walk into Texas parks and wildlife and try to transfer title into my name? I don’t have the boat transfer form signed? Just the title only. If I try to register it in my name with signed title is that ok? Ps had a boat buddy look the boat up and it is not stolen. I’m not out much. Paid 800$. Just want to do stuff legit not sketchy. Thanks guys.

Some local tax offices handle boat title transfers and some handle renewals and not ownership transfers as I found out when I bought my bought this May. Call around for the right tax office and then go to the office in person will be a lot easier than over the phone., at least they will tell you what you need and hand you the paperwork. I found them to be very helpful.
You probably know the trailer has to be transferred and registered at the tax office in the county you live in. No title needed for the trailer just bill of sale.
My tax office didn't handle boat ownership transfers, so I went to Lagrange.

 

Print out pw143 and sign print owners dude signature...then put your name as buyer..

That's how you got it....right...
Don't overcomplicate this

 

I know what i would do, but i'm sure that would be frowned upon on here...🤣🤣

 

Thanks guys! I know what yall r saying ;-)

 

I've been thru this many times over the years, maybe the ladies in Lavaca County aren't as strict as some, but they could care less how that signature looks.

 

Well got everything done! It went so smooth! Thanks guys! Now got to get me a brand new motor and I’ll be out on the water. Thinking longshaft Honda 20hp

 

Actually found good deal on 20hp Tohatsu.

 

Glad that worked out for you...

if anyone has any boat title issues I have a friend that can solve them for you. Look up Capt Oscar Estringel on facebook.... he and his dad have a little shop west of Corpus... they can solve title issues.

 

I almost got myself into this situation once before... Called TPWD before I did, and the fella I spoke with used the term "Leapfrog". said they frown upon doing this, and its a tickitable offense. Not by you; but by the person in the middle. As explained by him, what they would have done, was tracked down the person that skipped transfer and registration, force them to title and register in addition to pay fees of delinquency, and then the title can be legally transferred again.

Now... With that said... He also said no one is really scrutinizing to that detail.