[barnburner4444]

Sorry it might be lil long,,,,Taking a trip down memory lane here. About 27-28 years ago I purchased a 1982 14' Sears Game from my Grandfathers brother for $500. I purchased a trailer and 8hp Mariner and hauled it to college and used the heck outta it for a couple of years. When I came back to FL a couple years later, I purchased a bigger boat and just used it on pond at my parents property, so quit registering it and then forgot about it tis recently when I realized it was still there.
My mom said she had tried to sell it a few years ago but thought she remembered something with the title being an issue. So I had the FL numbers run and sure enough still in great Uncle Lukes name. Problem is he's been dead for better part of 12-15 years and was a world class hoarder. He had a son but can't imagine all the stuff he had to deal with when he died wold have kept a title of a boat that wasn't there anymore. Plus I wouldn't have a clue how to get ahold of him.
As a 20 year old kid, guess I didn't realize I didn't do it right back then, but have read about title nightmares since then. I have a son now and would like to keep it in family - to fix it up, use it and let it be his one day, but would want to make sure it could be titled and registered.


I am off to tag and title place tomorrow to check on options, I was just wondering if anyone had any similar experiences or ideas on how to get the title ?

 

[Smackdaddy53]

First step is contacting your local parks and wildlife department and ask them. Each state has different procedures. It can be done! Post what state it was titled in so others can help you as well.

 

[barnburner4444]

Sorry, thought the FL #s

Its in Florida, was last registered in Fl thinking prob 20 years ago or more.

And its aluminum so thinking homemade title is likely outta question.

 

[Steve_Mevers]

Sorry, thought the FL #s

Its in Florida, was last registered in Fl thinking prob 20 years ago or more.

And its aluminum so thinking homemade title is likely outta question.

I used to do these type of inspections for people needing titles. Contact the FWC and request a "Other Than Homemade" boat inspection.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

The state is zero fun to deal with on this stuff. You’d think they would just want to make sure it hadn’t been reported stolen and then collect their $, but they seem to take great joy in telling you that you can’t ever operate something again because a piece of paper was lost.

I‘d be tempted to start with just trying to renew the registration if you have an old slip around somewhere, and not worry about the title. They may be more lax with boats if “nothing is changing.”

Since you did legally purchase it from him and aren’t just wanting it “out of the barn“, I wonder if the attorney from his estate could be helpful. Basically writing a letter to take to the DMV saying “this guy is the legal owner of it, original owner is deceased and can’t sign anything?”

 

[junkin35]

After your great uncle's death, his spouse or other relative, probably one of his children should have been named executor of his estate. Someone would have a judgment of possession related to his assets. This individual would be the proper person to apply for a lost title from either F&G or DMV (depending on the original title) and can then transfer to you.
Reach out to your relatives.
Good luck.

 

[krash]

I would call the state DMV before wasting a trip.

Years ago I bought a canoe form guy, a guy at work who moved away and died, he had never resistered it.Yes it had a motor, trolling motor, and had to be registered. Made 2 unsuccesful trips to the DMV,, called andtheye were able to sort the issue and walk me trhrough the process. Had to get a police report, affidavit signed saying it was not stolen.. then a trip to the local DMV which required a phone call while at the window to the same person I spoke to on the phone... Sorted it out.

In your case if it had FL numbers it may be easier.. but if you are in S. Florida the local DMV sucks to go to, and god forbid you hold up the line trying to register a boat, the people at the windows and are like robots anything out of the ordinary they can't handle.

 

[j_f]

As mentioned, there are usually several ways to solve this problem, but finding the easiest will take some legwork. My experience here in Louisiana (which is a developing nation on its best day) is that it completely depends on who you talk to. If someone gives you the runaround, call back later and speak to someone else. Call a different branch, county, whatever-- eventually you'll find someone who gives a damn about helping you.

 

[HeaveToo]

Well...A lot of dead people did vote in the last election. I wonder if you can get them to sign a title over! LOL

 

[barnburner4444]

After your great uncle's death, his spouse or other relative, probably one of his children should have been named executor of his estate. Someone would have a judgment of possession related to his assets. This individual would be the proper person to apply for a lost title from either F&G or DMV (depending on the original title) and can then transfer to you.
Reach out to your relatives.
Good luck.

Thanks for all help so far. This is pretty much what I was told at DMV this morning. Boat was last registered in 2003. Was told find the executor of his estate or have a judge wrote a court order to transfer title to my name - which is a first I’ve ever heard of after a lot of reading on this matter.

So I spent some time on phone and I might have a relative that can still get ahold of his son and see if he can apply for a lost title. I am gonna go that way first , if I can’t ahold of him or he doesn’t want to mess with it (wouldn’t blame him) I will explore other options.
Thanks for all the help. Most accurate info seems to be there is no consistency to this process !

 

[SouthernAngler]

Welcome to the DMV , you won't fine many friendly faces there. Hopefully you can get ahold of your relative because a court order will most likely cost several hundred dollars.

 

[Dirtmerchant]

I doubt the juice is gonna be worth the squeeze; good luck!!

 

[Steve_Mevers]

After your great uncle's death, his spouse or other relative, probably one of his children should have been named executor of his estate. Someone would have a judgment of possession related to his assets. This individual would be the proper person to apply for a lost title from either F&G or DMV (depending on the original title) and can then transfer to you.
Reach out to your relatives.
Good luck.

That is definitely the easiest way!

 

[Steve_Mevers]

Thanks for all help so far. This is pretty much what I was told at DMV this morning. Boat was last registered in 2003. Was told find the executor of his estate or have a judge wrote a court order to transfer title to my name - which is a first I’ve ever heard of after a lot of reading on this matter.

So I spent some time on phone and I might have a relative that can still get ahold of his son and see if he can apply for a lost title. I am gonna go that way first , if I can’t ahold of him or he doesn’t want to mess with it (wouldn’t blame him) I will explore other options.
Thanks for all the help. Most accurate info seems to be there is no consistency to this process !

If it doesn't workout that way, again, request an Other Than Homemade vessel inspection from the FWC. An FWC officer will inspect the boat for HIN number, check for liens, etc... and then may recommend to DMV that a title be issued. You have nothing to lose by going that route. On older boats, with very little intrinsic value DMV will often issue a "conditional title" to the vessel. This doesn't work on a 40k boat, but it was put in place for older vessels with very little value like yours. Good luck

 

[Monty]

Florida has an abandoned property title that can be had. They also have a home-made boat title but require receipts for some materials. That game fisher probably has no seriel number or if it does it could "worked on. I had one of the sears ganefishers. Found it floating in the Pascagoula River and it was better that the 12 ft. aluminum jon boat my brother and I were fishing from. So we threw a line on it.