Hid#?

[millrtim247]

So I've been offered a boat/motor/trailer for free, no outdrive. the catch (and there always is) is there are no papers. I have a good hull identification number. but neither the dmv nor the sherrif's dept (i live in pinellas county, FL) would give me any info on who it is registered to or what it is registered as due to privacy laws. all i they would tell me is that is was never reported stolen.
I've seen others on here help identify craft for people by the HID#. How is this done? or do you need "conections"?

Please help HID# 0MM03992E888
It's 15' fiberglass runabout. hull is in prety good condition.
here are a couple pics...

[PAR]

Frankly, it's none of your business as far as the state is concerned.

You can hire a lawyer to do a title search, but why bother you have a clean HIN.

To register the boat, provide proof of sale (or gift) to the county tax collector, who may elect to have it inspected by an officer (Fish and Wildlife Department). The inspection will include a quick once over to see the boat's HIN is what you say it is and that you have receipts for the equipment (engine, trailer, boat sale, etc.).

From a technical stand point, the only person that can "give" or "offer" you the boat is the current owner. If this is unknown, you will have to jump through a few hoops for the tax collector, but it's not that big a deal really, just don't expect to find out who the previous owner(s) were. The Patriot Act put a big wrench in the works for honest people and that's what this is all about.

[millrtim247]

thanks PAR. I personally dont care who the person is. I just didnt think I would be able to title and register the boat unless I tracked them down and got them to sign a bill of sale. the guy who is giving it to me said I should just claim that I found and salvaged it but I dont know if I would go that route.
The other thing is I want to know what the boat is. year, make etc. but at the end of the day it doesnt mater I guess.
Thanks again,
Glen

[charmc]

Originally Posted by millrtim247

the guy who is giving it to me said I should just claim that I found and salvaged it but I dont know if I would go that route.
The other thing is I want to know what the boat is. year, make etc. but at the end of the day it doesnt mater I guess.
Thanks again,
Glen

Glen,

If he's legit, the guy who is giving it to you should sign a bill of sale describing the boat generically, listing the HIN number. You can put $1.00 for the amount, "as is".

You can find the manufacturer at the USCG safe boating web site. The first 3 letters of the HIN are the mfr code. The full name and last address of the mfr are listed. Your boat was made by Starline Boats, who made runaboats until 1991 at several sites in Georgia.

More info here: http://www.everythingboats.com/ryob/...ew&boat_id=509
http://uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_database.htm

[PAR]

The guy that's "giving" you the boat has no right to do so. It's not his boat. He could apply for a lien against the boat, say for storage or repairs, which the customer didn't met their obligations and eventually he'll be awarded the boat. This will take some small clams court action, but it's not that much of a problem.

Hey, I got this car. It doesn't have an engine or tires, but you can have it if you want it. Same deal. The state wants just a few things. Did you get it legally, is the title clear, are there any outstanding liens or other paper on the boat, do you have paper on the boat (repair/storage liens, bill of sale, etc.).

In Florida you can "gift" a boat to someone, which requires no cash change hands, but you'll still have to jump through a few hoops. Call the county tax collector. They'll have some forms for you, possibly an inspection.

For what it's worth, you boat looks like a mid 80's Bayliner, though the pictures are too small to see much detail. Charlie's right, check the first three letters of the HIN with the USCG data base for the manufacture.

[millrtim247]

thanks for your help guys!

[SamSam]

You might just explain the situation and ask the sheriff and taxman how to go about it. A lot of times there are "rules and regulations" for these things but it actually comes down to a subjective/flexible decision by who you happen to talk to and how they feel at the moment.
Any chance you could post the picture of the pretties in your avatar again, please? ;o)

[millrtim247]

there ya go...since taking this picture i have married and impreagnated her twice...hahahahaaaa

[SamSam]

....