Boat registration renewal ????

[KingFisher22]

I bought a '74 14ft alumacraft from a friend 3 years ago, need to renew the registration and I have no title. Found out my friend has no title as well, said the boat was in guy he bought it from's name. Used that name on a bill of sale and "MN XXXX XX" from side of boat at dmv, they told me that the boat is not in that person's name as well. I have no way of getting the original owner's name, so I am stuck like chuck. I am in need of the new stickers for I am going on an epic trip up north for opener. Please any ideas?

[Northlander]

I had a boat with no title that my dad gave me. All I did was got a letter from my dad saying he gave it to me and gave that to the DNR and they gave me my new numbers. Im not sure how your area DNR would work it but its worth a try.

[kerryd15]

when i bought mine the boat was in one persons name and the trailer in another. The liscencs place gave me a name and a general area of the state the person lived- up north around such and such. I will say that neither of the names were who i bought it from, i started thinking it was stolen or something. I did some searching on the internet and got the persons address and phone #. Got up the nerve and called- glad i did verry nice guy. said he sold the boat several years back and would gladly sign the paper to transfer the title. sent the papers the lisence place gave me with a return envelope with postage and had it back in a week. maybe i got lucky but it worked.

[Tom7227]

Get the person who sold it to you to give you a very basic letter indicating that he sold it to you and you should be good to go. Take it personally to a licensing center and they will issue you the license and a title for the boat. I think they can do the same with the trailer.

[whitebassman]

I had a boat with no title that my dad gave me. All I did was got a letter from my dad saying he gave it to me and gave that to the DNR and they gave me my new numbers. Im not sure how your area DNR would work it but its worth a try.

that's exactly my situation and what I did too. Older boats like that will often not have much history in the computers. try to find the seller you purchased from and go from there.

[Wanderer]

I agree with Tom. If you get a signed letter from the person who sold you the rig, that alleviates you from burden of proof and puts back on the DNR and the seller. The license agent should be able to explain the legal process to you. They run into this frequently.

[candiru]

It was quite a few years ago, but I found that the license place in Annandale to be very customer friendly.

[grasshopper]

Do a Title search at the DMV andf see who had it last. Need seral number or nimber of boat. Should b able to find out who had it last.

[KingFisher22]

Thanks for all the ideas.....I tried to use the guy who i bought it froms name on the letter, they said that the MN XXXX XX # for that boat is not registered in his name so he cant sign the boat over to me. Also tried the title search thing. lol, wish it was that simple. Still stuck. Getting more anxious by the minute. Help, anyone? I just wanna fish!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[candiru]

You could try to tell them you bought the boat out of state. Maybe Arkansas. I believe that you do not have to register a boat there under 10 horsepower. Or someone only used it for duckhunting. Just give them the model and serial numbers.

[candiru]

I thought of a good story. Your dad/grampa/uncle had this boat sitting at the farm. It had not been used in years and he only used it for duck hunting - no registration. When they cleaned out the farm, you ended up with it.

[mnray]

my son went through same thing. bought insurance salvage boat from owner. used it last year,after hull repair. thursday he went to mvd. no title just serial number and registration number. he left with new boat tabs and title was transferred also. quick, cheap and on the spot. i was surprised it was as easy as that. that was in moorhead,mn. good luck.

[Pat K]

Have a friend from Wisconsin write you a bill of sale with just the year, manufacturer and size of the boat. Include the trailer in the bill of sale also. No registration #'s or plate #'s. This info comes from someone who works for a deputy registrar.

[Castinski]

Does a '74 14ft boat even need a title? I had a bill of sale when I registered mine for the first time, but I don't even recall them looking at it. She just asked what my trailer was worth so I could pay the tax on it and I was good to go.

I'd try again at the registration center.

[Gator Slayer]

"relicense the boat"

Claim it was only used for duck hunting previously by your "Dad" and required no registration. Also that there is no data plate/serial number. Have a bill of sale from your "dad".

Oh yeah go to a "new" license bureau.

[toddb]

Search MN boating regulations and read page 11. I am pretty sure you do not need a title being your boat is <16' and manufacture before 1979...