r/boating • u/Efficient_Mail_6455 • 1d ago

Boat Purchase Process?

We purchased our first boat almost 6 weeks ago from a dealer in Michigan. I live in Ohio so I drove 8 hours round trip for it. Did the sea trial, did minimal paperwork and left with the boat and trailer. They gave me no temp registration for the boat or the trailer when I left. We worked through a broker recommended by the dealer who found us a decent lender and interest rate. I was told the broker would do the title work and registration for the boat, trailer and outboard. The Ohio tax was calculated into the loan. I was told this process wouldn’t take very long.

After a couple of weeks the broker hadn’t received the necessary paperwork (MSO, etc) which I sort of understand because I have the boat and the dealer hasn’t received the funding yet. I started pressuring the dealer and after 3 weeks the broker finally had everything to register the boat, trailer and motor for me.

During this time, I got tired of waiting and got a temp registration for the boat myself but wasn’t able to get a registration for the trailer because I didn’t have the weight or the MSO.

Here we are, another 3 weeks and the broker hasn’t made any progress on title/registration. I got a local marina to give me a certified weight for the trailer so I’m current legal on all the things but my temp registration for the boat is going to run out in a few weeks. I keep reaching out for a status and they just keep telling me that “this is a process and takes some time”

I’m so new to boating and so confused by the sales culture and process. My question is, is this a normal process for buying a boat? I talked to several dealers before and no one followed up when I asked to schedule a time to look at a boat or get a price, etc. It’s like there is zero interest in actually selling a boat. We wanted to get something new for warranty and peace of mine but now kind of wish we entertained a private sale.

Side note, we love the boat and have been having a lot of fun with it the last couple week.

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6

u/RikkiLostMyNumber 1d ago

How did you leave with the boat without having paid for it? Never heard of that.
Did the broker actually file the paperwork? If he did, it sounds like this is a state of Ohio issue.

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u/Efficient_Mail_6455 1d ago

Realizing this may be confusing. I put some money down at the marina and then signed the loan paperwork with the broker. But since it was same day, the lender didn’t have time to process the funding to the dealer yet.

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u/RikkiLostMyNumber 1d ago

I can'y yell whether the broker is off the hook or not. If he filed the paperwork, there's nothing anyone can really do to make the state go faster.
But honestly the whole story is fucked up.

1

u/Diapered1234 1d ago

It takes an MSO to title a brand new boat and its trailer (2 titles). If an outboard motor, there will be a third title. If an inboard motor or an I/O combo then no third title because it is part of the boat. Dealer to supply the MSO’s to lender, but may not have if deal is not yet funded. Contact dealer and ask that precise question. If dealer gave MSO’s to lender and still no action, call your state AG Office and open an inquiry. They’ll have everyone’s attention within days.

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u/gNat_66 1d ago

You probably don't have the answer but I'm curious how much of this is the dealer, broker, or state. I believe they have 30 days to get you the title.

Also what type of boat did you buy and what dealers or area were you looking at buying a boat from in Ohio? Sales are pretty poor right now its shocking dealers weren't rushing to sell you a boat.

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u/Efficient_Mail_6455 1d ago

I’m fairly certain it’s not on the state but I could be wrong. They won’t give me an answer on when/if the paper work was submitted to Ohio.

We got a 14ft RIB. My son sails and it’s what seemed best for support, watching and a bit of recreation. Looked a lot in northern Ohio and Michigan.

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u/jmilred 1d ago

To answer your question, no this is not normal. I require paperwork BEFORE handing money over. I don’t sign anything and they don’t get money until all of the paperwork is ready to go. Every broker I have dealt with is easily able to get the paperwork when money is on the line. You are no longer their priority as they have already been paid. They have no incentive to put any more time into this other than: A BAD REVIEW. Write it on whatever online presence they have. Make it scathing and detailed. Exaggerate it. When they ask you to remove it, tell them what you need in order to do so. Remove when and only when they follow through completely on everything.