How to Sell a Boat in Texas

Step 1:

Decide how you want to sell your boat.

Do you want to sell to a dealer or sell on the open market?

• Selling to a dealer is a fairly fast and hassle-free way to sell your boat. This convenience comes with a cost, however, since the purchase or trade-in value will very likely be less than what you would get via private sale or with a broker.
• In some cases, a dealer may refuse to buy your boat due to the boat’s age or other circumstances such as the dealership already having a full inventory. In cases like this, using a broker or selling your boat via private sale will be necessary.
• A dealer may offer to sell your boat on consignment instead of buying your boat outright. This involves the dealer taking posession of your boat, and charging a fee (usually around 10% of the sale) once the boat is sold.

Step 2:

If not selling to a dealer, decide whether to sell your boat privately or use a broker.

To make this decision, weigh the following options:

• Do you have the time and availability to show the boat to prospective buyers and manage the buying process? If not, we recommend using a broker.
• Do you have the resources to market your boat effectively? If not, we recommend using a broker.
• Are you OK with your boat taking a longer time to sell if it means keeping more of your money? If so, we recommend a private sale  Sell your boat for free with Yachtlify. 
• Are you confident you can sell your boat faster than a broker? If so, we recommend a private sale.  Sell your boat for free with Yachtlify. 

Step 3:

Gather photos and information about your boat.

Ensure that either you or your broker do the following for a successful sale:

• Take photos of the boat’s interior and exterior
• Take a photo of the engine
• If you have had your boat surveyed, have the most recent copy of a survey available.
• Have a list of recent upgrades and maintenance performed to communicate value to potential buyers.
• When you’re done, list your boat on a marketplace like Yachtlify to advertise your boat for sale.   Sell your boat for free with Yachtlify. 

Step 4 (After you have sold your boat):

Gather documentation and submit Owner Transfer Notification to TPWD.

You will need the following:

• Boat TX number or outboard motor TX number/serial number.
• The name, address, and phone number of the purchaser/new owner.
• The date of sale and the sales price (exclude the trailer). Sales price of the boat must be listed separately from the sales price of the outboard motor.
• Use this information complete the Boat/Motor Owner Transfer Notification form on the Texas Parks & Wildlife Department website.
• This step must be completed within 20 days of selling your boat.

Step 5 (If your boat was registered with the US Coast Guard):

Submit Bill of Sale to the US Coast Guard.

This typically involves the use of a vessel documentation service, and you likely won’t submit the Bill of Sale to the Coast Guard directly. If you used a broker to sell your boat, they likely have or will have handled this step for you. In any case, you will need to do the following:

• Submit information required by US Coast Guard Bill of Sale (Form CG-1340) to a vessel documentation service (or your broker, if they are handling this step for you) OR
• Submit the information required on the 2nd page of USCG Form CG-1270 to a vessel documentation service or broker.
• In either case, the USCG form must be notarized.
• The relevant forms and additional instructions can be found at the US Coast Guard’s website.
• We recommend that you use a vessel documentation service such as Marine Documentations.

All done!🎉

Once the funds have traded hands, owner transfer notification has been sent to TPWD, and your US Guard documentation has been completed (if applicable), your job is done.