Vessel Title Resources for Yacht Brokers

Welcome to our yacht brokers page!

         Coast Guard vessel documentation, state level boat registration or titling, foreign registry, brokerage transactions, and other items of particular interest for yacht brokers. This page also serves as a gateway to our complete selection of broker services, forms, databases, and title research tools.

     • Vessel Title Advisor - Answers to all of your vessel documentation and boat registration questions.
     • Bookmark - Save this page to stay current with the latest additions and updates

YACHT BROKERS INFORMATION

Vessel Database - A complete gathering of marine databases for yacht brokers. Includes everything from vessel documentation searches to bank merger databases.

Titling Services - Check out our convenient and low cost service packages for Coast Guard vessel documentation and state registration.

Vessel Forms - A complete gathering of Coast Guard vessel documentation, state level boat registration, boat trailer, and vessel transaction forms.

Abstract of Title - An overview of the abstract of title for Coast Guard documented vessels and how to place an order with the National Vessel Documentation Center.

Abstracting Handbook - A must-have tool for any broker that becomes involved with a Coast Guard abstract of title. Includes a summary worksheet and interpretation codes.

Boat Registration Summary - An excellent reference source for brokers when dealing with out-of-state registered and titled boats, trailers, or outboard motors.

Floating Homes - Be in the know about house boats, floating homes, and house barges with respect to vessel documentation and state level titling or registration.

Web Partner Program - Optimize your web site while providing a valuable customer service. Learn more about the advantages of becoming our web partner.

Vessel Research Guide - An excellent resource for determining the various methods or researching titles and registrations for various types of vessels.

Marine Glossary - A complete listing of the most commonly used terms in the vessel titling industry. A great resource for yacht brokers.

Vessel Record Search - Detailed reports of documented vessel owners, boating accidents, enforcement incidents, stolen vessels, salvaged vessels, and factory recalls.

Boat Owner Mailing List - Complete mailing lists for owners of documented vessels. Available downloads for all types of mailing label and mail merge software.

Electronic Filing Methods - Learn about the National Vessel Documentation Center's new rules for submitting copies of instruments and filings by fax or email.

Yacht Brokers Advisor - Answers to frequently asked questions we receive from yacht brokers about vessel documentation, boat titling, and vessel transactions.

Valid Notarizations - An article related to the importance of proper notarizations on vessel documentation, boat registration, and vessel transaction instruments.

State Titling vs. Documentation - An article that compares the choices between state level titling and Coast Guard vessel documentation.

About Vessel Documentation - An overview of the Coast Guard vessel documentation system, its administration, and basic documentation requirements.

Vessel Titling Guides - A great collection of guides and handbooks for everyday use by yacht brokers. Includes guidelines for all types of vessel titling and transactions.

Foreign Vessels - Our foreign page provides brokers with titling related information on vessels that are entering the United States from a foreign country.

Surveyors Report - Elements of a marine survey to look for with regard to the surveyor's findings as they are related to vessel identification numbers.



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				Boat Insurance Quotes The experts at Boat U.S. provide low rates and broad insurance coverage for recreational boats. Boat Loans & Financing We will provide you with great rates and exceptional service on boat and yacht loans. West Marine The largest boating supply company in the world. We make boating more fun! U.S. Legal Forms Online LLC, Corporation, Partnership and trust forms or kits for boat owners.
Boaters World Your boating, fishing, and water sports resource. Free shipping and tax free shopping.	Boater Exam Our online course helps boaters obtain their boater education card or boating license.	Boat Loans & Financing We will provide you with great rates and exceptional service on boat and yacht loans.	Background Reports Boat buyers and lenders should know who they are dealing with. Online searches by Intelius.

Yacht Brokers Advisor

Please read our terms of use before proceeding.

General Information
▪ Can I link to your web site? ▪ Should I accept a cashier's check at face value? ▪ Should I run a title search on my boat listings?	▪ Can the maker stop payment on a cashier's check? ▪ Should I promote vessel or boat history reports? ▪ Where can I find prospecting lists?

Please submit an advisor request if your question is not listed above.

Can I link to your web site? - We definitely encourage the placement of a link to our web site. This will be of great benefit to your customers and will save you a lot of time in trying to explain vessel documentation, preferred mortgage, and boat registration issues yourself. Simply direct a buyer or seller to our web site for all of the information and resources they need. We also offer a free link exchange program if you would like to be listed on our Directory page. Just contact us with your request and we will make sure you become listed right away.

◄ Back / Resources ► Web Link Program

Can the maker stop payment on a cashier's check? - Cashier's checks are usually direct obligations of the issuing financial institution and are therefore generally considered to be cleared upon issuance. However, any written instrument can be reversed through the federal reserve system. You would likely prevail in having it made good , but this would be of little comfort when trying to close a marine escrow or boat closing. It is always a good idea to consult with your attorney and a banking advisor when establishing funds acceptance policies.

◄ Back / Resources ► Attorney Listings

Should I accept a cashier's check at face value? - With today's desktop laser printing capabilities, anyone can create an official looking cashier's check. You should therefore always contact the issuing financial institution to verify its authenticity. A valid cashier's check will clearly define the maker's name and location. The institution itself can be further validated by visiting the financial institutions listings on our database page. It is also a good idea to consult with your attorney and a banking advisor when establishing funds acceptance policies.

◄ Back / Resources ► Financial Institutions Database

Should I promote vessel or boat history reports? - Boat history records such as those found in our Vessel Record Search can be a valuable tool in helping to identify stolen, damaged, submerged, auctioned, or recalled boats. However, these are not fully conclusive and should not be promoted as such. Prospective buyers should accordingly beware of web sites that oversell these products. Data errors and omissions are quite common in record extractions issued by governmental agencies. In addition, there are no universal resources available to the public which identify every vessel that has been damaged, salvaged, or foreclosed upon. Given these circumstances, it is simply not possible to declare that any used vessel or boat has a "clear history". Boat history reports should never preclude the need for a thorough inspection by a qualified marine surveyor.

◄ Back / Resources ► Vessel Record Search Vessel Research Handbook

Should I run a title search on my boat listings? - From a practical standpoint, you should conduct a record search not only on all boat listings of your own, but those of a co-broker when representing their listings. It is always a good practice to verify the seller's title representations when the listing is first initiated rather than waiting until the time of closing. The seller may not even be aware of certain un-discharged liens or adverse title conditions which could impact the sale. A lot of valuable time, money, and effort can go by the wayside if the buyer withdraws from a purchase transaction under such circumstances.

◄ Back / Resources ► Vessel Record Search

Where can I find prospecting lists? - Most states have now adopted very strict disclosure rules and will provide ownership information only on individual records when there is due cause. However, the Coast Guard provides such information on currently documented. Our Vessel Record Search contains a database with over 300,000 vessels documented vessels that can be searched by various criteria. It also provides mailing lists in several formats which will work with all mailing label software. The Vessel Record Search also contains links to those states that do offer public information on registered boat owners.

◄ Back / Resources ► Vessel Record Search

Valid Notarizations

          In today's busy environment, signature acknowledgements are often viewed as stumbling blocks in getting through a myriad of paperwork that often accompanies vessel transactions. This is especially evident when forms are transmitted long distance for execution in remote areas where public notaries are less than accessible. A valid acknowledgement is however, one of the most critical elements of any document when it comes to protecting the interests of a vessel buyer, seller, or lender.
         Because the acknowledgement is so important, notary standards must be taken very seriously. If not, there can be repercussions for both the notary and the party that may suffer damages. Although public notaries are regulated by state law, their requirements are for the most part uniform throughout the country. In general, the notary must witness a personal appearance by the signer, obtain sufficient identification, and determine that a signer has the capacity to understand the document while exercising free will in its execution. Notaries are also bound by common ethical considerations in performing their duties.
          Whether the transaction is a complex vessel purchase arrangement or a simple refinance, timing is usually one of the primary concerns. Seasoned professionals such as sales agents and finance officers will accordingly structure their deadlines to cover the inevitable possibility that remotely executed documents will contain defective acknowledgements. They also understand that an expedient quick-fix which violates notary standards can turn into a major issue should the underlying transaction ever become contested.

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