When I bought my catamaran, it came with the boat trailer. The trailer doesn't have title or tags. Anyone know the process for getting it registered? Do I need to try to find the owner of record, or make some mods so it's considered "home-built"?

Also, what do registration fees usually run?

was the owner of the boat not the owner of the trailer?

could you apply for a lost title?

EDIT: not familiar with the boat, but at some point (size & weight) trailers no longer require a title.

[This message has been edited by TexasRebel (edited 4/6/2009 4:29p).]

The owner of the boat didn't do much in the way of paperwork. Just about have the boat registration squared away, just need to get the trailer legal - most of the documentation was lost years ago.

Apply for homemade trailer tags/plates. Much easier.

It probably doesn't require a title, but it does have to be registered and have a license plate. You need a document trail to register the trailer as a purchased trailer. I bought a trailer that had a Georgia registration and was a trade-in here to a Texas trailer fabricator. The Fort Bend County clerk wouldn't issue a new registration to me without a bill of sale from the previous owner whose name was on the Georgia registration receipt (and now was who-knows-where). I ended up getting the trailer manufacturer to do the registration submittal as a trailer he "modified". So, home-built would be the way to go since it is apparently is unregistered now.

Under 4000#GVW the trailer does not require a title. BUT, you will need a bill of sale stating cost of trailer, and seller relinquishing all ownership etc. signed by both parties or forged signatures by one party and move on to get it registered. You can download a standard bill of sale somewhere on the internet. I would tell you,but my wife printed one up for me and I don't know where she got it,Sorry. I just finished going through the same thing last week. I went to a little title store (EZ Title) and bypassed the Couny tax office and was done in 10 minutes. What kind of Cat did you get?

Forgot to add - It cost $80 total for processing fees,bridge fees,secretary fees,walking in the door fees - you get the picture ,then $36 a year after it is registered. Tell them the lowest weight and cost you think you can get away with as they tax by GVW ,weight of trailer and price of trailer. I told 'em $500 trailer that weighs 300# for a 800# boat - Taxed for 1100#. Instead of $1000, 600# trailer for a 3000# boat.Good Luck

quote:

---

Apply for homemade trailer tags/plates. Much easier.

---

this x1000000

Homemade!

I had fun doing this with a BBQ pit I bought from a guy. Had to bring in picture of it, bill of sale etc. They kept the original bill of sale wtf? I told them the weight I wanted it registerd at etc.

what kind of cat did you buy, I just bought a Hobie 18

Nacra 5.0

Had it a couple years now, but it's taken a little while to get through the paperwork. Decided to get it done when I started thinking about selling it and picking up a swing-keel cabin cruiser (better for sailing in the bay).

cool

how much you want for the Nacra?

Depends on how much work I put into it before it gets sold.

Was thinking $1500 obo once I get the registration squared away, new tires on the trailer, and new main and jib lines. Sails are practically brand new (been garage kept) and the hulls are solid.

location?

Hull and trailer are in Somerville at the moment (I'll probably go get them in the next couple weeks). Sails and rudders are in Clear Lake.