Title questions for buying a jetski

[djdiggler]

Ok I'm looking at buying 2 jetski's in Georgia. The guy says that they do not have titles and they only need a bill of sale. In florida they require a title, which I know is not the same in all states. When I lived in New York, they did not have titles for jetski's. Your registration is your title.

The question I have is does anybody live in or know if Georgia also gives registrations for jetski's like New York? Or is it just a bill of sale thats required?
I was just confused that that would be legal to only have a bill of sale. If that was the case anyone can steal anyones ski in that state and just write a bill of sale to claim it's theirs. Can someone help me on this one???

[marz831]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

Make sure you get a bill of sale and they will issue you a title at the tag office when you go to register.

[DaveG]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

True, Georgia does not title boats. The do issue registration cards, the cards renew every 3 years. When you sell a ski in Georgia you have to give the registration card to the buyer so that they can submit it with their application to transfer the registration to their name. If you buy a ski from out of state you have to have at least a bill of sale to register it in Georgia. A bill of sale and a title or registration card is better. If you go to the website for Florida that handles titling and registering boats they will probably have guidlines for buying and registering an out of state boat. As long as what you are buying is not stolen, you probably won't have a problem. All most states want is the revinue anyway.

Dave

[djdiggler]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

Thats why I wanted to see if Georgia issued Registration cards. I figured if someone in Georgia tries to sell a ski and not include the registration card it's most likely stolen. Are the registration cards the type you sign on the back to transfer ownership? (New York does it that way thats why I'm asking.)

[DaveG]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

Nope, no signature. It's just a thin plastic card with name, address, reg #'s and expiration date. It's the same color (each year has a different color) as the sticker that goes on the ski.
If your seriously concerned they might be stolen try checking with the state that the skis are registered with. If you have a reg #, call that state's department that registers boats and ask if they can confirm the owner's name. In GA the DNR does boat registration. They have a website that has contact info and have been very helpful every time I have had to call them, though I've never called to see if a ski was stolen. You might also get the HIN of the skis and check with a dealer. They sometimes know if a ski is stolen.
Dave

[george]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

check with your state, if you have only a bill of sale it may need to be notarised.

[djdiggler]

Re: Title questions for buying a jetski

Thanks for all the help guys. Does anyone have the phone number to that place? Thanks again!:)