Can You Sell a Boat Without a Title in 2024? The Answer May Surprise You
Can you sell a boat without a title? The answer is: yes, you can sell a boat without a title. Whether or not the buyer can use the boat without a title is a different story, however.
Whether or not a title is required to use a boat depends on the primary state in which the vessel will be operated. Most if not all states require that watercraft above a certain length and/or manufactured after a certain date be registered with the state, but not every state issues boat titles. Some states, like Florida, Texas, New York, and Massachusetts require boat titles.
Depending on your state’s requirements, buyers may be hesitant to buy a boat without a title due to the risk involved.
Please note: We have included state requirements for boat titles to the best of our knowledge as of 2024 below. Please be aware that this article and its contents do not constitute legal advice. We encourage you to consult the relevant authorities in your state to determine when and whether or not you can sell a boat without a title.
State Requirements for Boat Titles
| State | Do You Need a Title? |
| Alabama | No, you don’t need a title. In Alabama, titles are not required to sell a boat. |
| Alaska | Yes, you need a title for boats over 24 ft. A title is optional for boats under 24 ft. |
| Arizona | No, you don’t need a title unless the boat being purchased is coming from a title state. |
| Arkansas | No. |
| California | Yes, all boats with a motor and all sailboats greater than 8ft in length that are not documented by the US Coast Guard must have a title. |
| Colorado | No. |
| Connecticut | Yes. Exceptions: sailboats below 19.5 in length. Boats with a model year or construction date before 2017. Boats that are documented with the US Coast Guard. |
| Delaware | No. |
| Florida | Yes. |
| Georgia | No. |
| Hawaii | No. |
| Idaho | Yes. Exceptions: boats acquired before December 31, 1999. |
| Illinois | Yes. Exceptions: watercraft below 22 ft in length. |
| Indiana | Yes. |
| Iowa | Yes. Exceptions: canoes and kayaks. |
| Kansas | No. |
| Kentucky | Yes. |
| Louisiana | Yes. |
| Maine | No. |
| Maryland | No. |
| Massachusetts | Yes. Exceptions: boats below 14 ft in length. |
| Michigan | Yes. Exceptions: boats without a motor below 20 ft in length. |
| Minnesota | Yes. |
| Mississippi | No. |
| Missouri | Yes. |
| Montana | Yes. |
| Nebraska | Yes. Exceptions: boats manufactured before 1972. |
| Nevada | Yes. Exceptions: boats that do not require registration. |
| New Hampshire | No. |
| New Jersey | Yes. Exceptions: boats below 12 ft. in length. |
| New Mexico | Yes. Exceptions: motor and sail vessels below 10 ft. |
| New York | Yes. |
| North Carolina | Yes. Exceptions: boats below 14ft in length. Note: Jet skis in North Carolina require titles. |
| North Dakota | No. |
| Ohio | Yes. Exceptions: boats below 14 ft in length. Note: Jet skis and personal watercraft must also be titled. |
| Oklahoma | Yes. |
| Oregon | Yes. |
| Pennsylvania | Yes. Exceptions: boats with a model year before 1997 and boats less than 14 ft in length. |
| Rhode Island | Boats require a Certificate of Title. Vessels 14′ in length or less are not required to be titled. |
| South Carolina | Yes. |
| South Dakota | Yes. Exceptions: boats less than 12 ft in length. |
| Tennessee | No. |
| Texas | Yes. |
| Utah | Yes. Exceptions: boats manufactured before 1985. |
| Vermont | Yes. Exceptions: boats manufactured more than 15 years ago and boats that are less than 16 ft in length. |
| Virginia | Yes. |
| Washington | Yes. |
| West Virginia | Yes. Exceptions: boats purchased before July 1, 1989 and boats that are documented by the Coast Guard. |
| Wisconsin | Yes. Exceptions: boats below 16 ft in length. |
| Wyoming | Yes. |
Bottom line: Can you sell a boat without a title?
Whether or not you can sell a boat without a title in your state depends on your state’s titling requirements. We encourage you to talk with the relevant authorities in your state or an experienced broker to find out whether you can sell a boat without a title in your state. When you’re finally ready to sell your boat, you or your broker can list your boat with Yachtlify to make the process that much easier.
Listing your boat with Yachtlify provides several unique benefits, including:
- List once, post on multiple platforms (Yachtlify.com, Facebook Marketplace, Instagram, and others).
- Schedule showings and sea trials with our calendar and reminders.
- View listing engagement analytics across platforms.
- eSign, state forms, and Coast Guard forms to manage closing documentation in once place.