Free California Boat Bill of Sale
California registers undocumented vessels through the DMV (not a separate marine agency), using Hull ID Number (HIN) rather than VIN. The 10-day transfer rule still applies, but there's no smog requirement, and California uses the BOAT 101 form instead of REG 343 when a vessel is registered in California for the first time.
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California Boat Bill of Sale — What You Need to Know
Sales Tax Details
Same 7.25%+ base use tax as cars, but Boats are also subject to annual county property tax, and the DMV will not transfer a vessel whose property taxes are delinquent.
Exemption: Transfers between a parent, grandparent, child, grandchild, or spouse are exempt (siblings only when both are minors), claimed via REG 256. Commercial fishing vessels have separate exemptions.
Inspection Requirements
No state smog or safety inspection for boats in California. USCG safety equipment requirements still apply when operating.
California Boat Sale — Step-by-Step Checklist
- Verify HIN on the boat matches the title and bill of sale exactly — HIN is a 12-character code etched on the transom.
- Complete bill of sale with HIN, year/make/model, length, engine type, sale price, and both parties' signatures.
- If trailer is included: document trailer VIN separately — trailer titles transfer like car titles, on the signed title.
- Seller signs title over to buyer; file REG 138 within 5 days to release vessel liability.
- Buyer submits the signed Certificate of Ownership, bill of sale, fees, and use tax to the CA DMV within 10 days (BOAT 101 is only for a first California registration, such as a boat from another state).
- Buyer pays 7.25%+ use tax on vessel sale price (unless family-transfer exempt via REG 256).
- Buyer obtains current CF registration stickers and bow numbers from the DMV.
- USCG-documented vessels (>5 net tons): ownership transfers through the Coast Guard, not the CA DMV.
Common Pitfalls
- HIN mismatch between title, bill of sale, and physical boat — any discrepancy triggers a DMV investigation.
- Forgetting to separately title an included trailer — trailers need their own title transfer.
- Registering a USCG-documented vessel through the DMV — documented boats are federally tracked, not state-titled.
- Underreporting sale price: misrepresenting the price on DMV paperwork is tax fraud.
Pro Tip
California boat sales are simpler than cars — no smog, no inspection — but the HIN accuracy and trailer titling catch many sellers off guard. Double-check every HIN character, and title the trailer separately.