# Selling a boat to a Canadian. Help!? **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [July 7, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303 "2016-07-07T11:43:51Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 11:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/1 "2016-07-07T11:43:51Z")
I recently purchased a new(er) pontoon boat, so I’ve listed the old one on Craigslist. I’ve bought/sold boats on Craigslist before, it’s not as bad as you might imagine. Anyway, after dealing with dozens of flakes, I have a buyer who has asked all the right questions, sounds sincere, and we’ve settled on a fair price. He is coming tomorrow afternoon, cash in hand, and would like to leave with the boat once he hears it run. The snag is that he is driving from Canada, our neighbor to the north. With previous boat sales/purchases, the protocol involves going to the notary, transferring title to boat and trailer, paying fees, getting a new plate, etc. Canadian dude says notary is uneccesary. He just needs seperate bills of sale for the boat and trailer. Is he correct? If so, can I just write up bills of sale on a piece of printer paper? For a ten thousand dollar total do I just make one for 9 (boat) and one for 1 (trailer)? > [@](#): > > O Canada! > Our home and native land! > True patriot love in all thy sons command. > With glowing hearts we see thee rise, > The True North strong and free! > From far and wide, > O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. > God keep our land glorious and free! > O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. > O Canada, we stand on guard for thee. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 12:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/2 "2016-07-07T12:41:44Z")
He’s going to have to pay taxes and duty when crossing back to Canada. The better the documentation of the sale the easier it will be for him to settle accounts. An itemized invoice, or separate invoices for boat and trailer are going to be sufficient. Invoice should have both the seller’s and buyer’s information, including name, address, phone number. A notarized bill of sale is not necessary, but would not be a bad idea. A notarized ‘no liens’ statement would also be good. It’s not as complicated of a process as importing a car. [Importing marine pleasure craft.](http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/import/imp-mar-eng.html) If I was your buyer, I’d call CBSA and get clarification as to what they will accept as “proof of ownership”. Likely, the bill of sale is sufficient. Oh, and the ubiquitous, “Happiest days of a boat owner’s life, etc…” ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/3 "2016-07-07T13:21:39Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Oh, and the ubiquitous, “Happiest days of a boat owner’s life, etc…” Thanks **QuickSilver**! I’ve owned many boats over the years, and that saying _always_ holds true! ---
**Author:** ![running\_coach](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/running_coach/32/15836_2.png) [@running\_coach](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/running_coach)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 1:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/4 "2016-07-07T13:49:11Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Oh, and the ubiquitous, “Happiest days of a boat owner’s life, etc…” There’s also the definition of a boat: A money-shaped hole in the water. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 2:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/5 "2016-07-07T14:04:44Z")
> [@running\_coach](#): > > There’s also the definition of a boat: A money-shaped hole in the water. Yep, again. Yet we so enjoy a day on the water with a cooler of beer, a grill and steaks, and our dogs.😃 ---
**Author:** ![TriPolar](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tripolar/32/3008_2.png) [@TriPolar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TriPolar)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 2:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/6 "2016-07-07T14:10:40Z")
Don’t do it! Once those Canadians get boats we’ll never be able to keep them out. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 3:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/7 "2016-07-07T15:33:53Z")
Oh, and pardon if I’m stating the obvious, but: bills of sale should include whatever serial/hull numbers can be found on the trailer, motor and boat. Also, copies of any registration certificates you may have for the boat and trailer. The more backup paperwork you provide to the buyer, the less likely he’ll be back on your doorstep asking for a refund because he couldn’t get the boat across the border. And double check the lazarettes for any forgotten recreational substances. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 7, 2016, 3:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/8 "2016-07-07T15:37:57Z")
OK, I have my original paperwork from when I purchased the boat and trailer and will make copies. > [@QuickSilver](#): > > And double check the lazarettes for any forgotten recreational substances. 😉 Actually not a bad idea. 😉 ---
**Author:** ![Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/46a35a/32.png) [@Tim\_T-Bonham.net](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tim_T-Bonham.net)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 12:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/9 "2016-07-09T00:28:45Z")
Tell him that for $100 cash, you will give him a second set of papers, listing the sales price as $5,000. ---
**Author:** ![Morgenstern](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Morgenstern](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Morgenstern)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/10 "2016-07-09T00:30:50Z")
2 happiest days in a boat owners life. The day he buys his boat. The day he sells his boat. ---
**Author:** ![zoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zoid/32/336_2.png) [@zoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zoid)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 12:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/11 "2016-07-09T00:34:42Z")
There’s a joke in there somewhere but I’m damned if I can find it. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 10:08am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/12 "2016-07-09T10:08:49Z")
Well, after all that the dude didn’t buy my boat. He looked at two yesterday in his price range and went with the _other_ one, smaller outboard but better seats. ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 12:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/13 "2016-07-09T12:50:06Z")
Ostie d’crisse de tabarnak! ([sing-a-long](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvR6-SQzqO8)) ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 1:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/14 "2016-07-09T13:21:57Z")
> [@t-bonham@scc.net](#): > > Tell him that for $100 cash, you will give him a second set of papers, listing the sales price as $5,000. Yeah, people do that all the time, apparently. The pontoon boat I purchased a few weeks ago is a pretty nice, but older, boat. The owner put a ton of money into it. The price was right and I hurried to withdraw cash to seal the deal. We met later at a local notary. She arrived before me, and completed her end of the paperwork. I showed up, did my paperwork, paid ~$300 in various state boat commission and DMV fees, and we left. Outside I realized I still had a wad of cash that I had with me to pay 6% PA sales tax. I mentioned it to her and she rolled her eyes. She’d told the notary the boat was old and not worth anything, so she was gifting it to me. She told me _everyone_ does it that way. I must be too honest, I always pay tax. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 9, 2016, 1:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/15 "2016-07-09T13:28:46Z")
> [@QuickSilver](#): > > Ostie d’crisse de tabarnak! > > ([sing-a-long](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DvR6-SQzqO8)) Heh. I learned something about Québécois French profanity. > [@](#): > > ostie = fuck > crisse = fuck > tabarnak = fuck > câlisse = fuck > viarge = fuck > calvaire = fuck > ciboire = fuck > sacrament = fuck > saint Ostie = Saint Fuck Hehehe. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 4:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/16 "2016-07-10T04:55:10Z")
Well now that you’ve brushed up on your French… Why a notary? What role do they serve in the transaction? I’ve sold my old cars here in Canada when I’ve bought a new one and there’s never been any suggestion by anyone that we need to go to a notary. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/17 "2016-07-10T05:58:42Z")
Many states title boats, and in some states, title transfers have to be notarized. ---
**Author:** ![kayaker](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kayaker/32/441_2.png) [@kayaker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kayaker)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/18 "2016-07-10T12:08:31Z")
^That, plus the trailer title transfer in order to get a license plate so it can be on the road. Funny thing about the dozens of Craigslist inquiries; there have been **ten** emails from people wanting to trade for the boat. They’ve _all_ been quads. ---
**Author:** ![Northern\_Piper](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/northern_piper/32/5304_2.png) [@Northern\_Piper](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Northern_Piper)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 12:08pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/19 "2016-07-10T12:08:47Z")
What does “title boats” mean? ---
**Author:** ![QuickSilver](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/quicksilver/32/7832_2.png) [@QuickSilver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/QuickSilver)\ **Post date:** [July 10, 2016, 12:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303/20 "2016-07-10T12:14:17Z")
> [@Northern\_Piper](#): > > What does “title boats” mean? In the United States the certificate of title for a vehicle (also known as a car title or pink slip; or pinks in the plural) is a legal form, establishing a person or business as the legal owner of a vehicle. Vehicle titles in the U.S. are commonly issued by the state DMV. A title indicates whether a vehicle or boat has a lien on it. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/selling-a-boat-to-a-canadian-help/759303.md?page=2)