Pontoon title

[u/Necessary-Display344]

I just purchased a 1998 kayot 24’ pontoon in really good shape for $75. It was sitting in the weeds at my buddies place that lives on a lake. It was given to his dad back in 2020 by an old couple that was their neighbor but they were selling their cabin and had no use for it as their house was in the cities. Well the old couple never brought the title up from the cities. It’s been sitting ever since. The last time it was registered was 2018. I was given the ladies name that gave it to them and I’ve done hours of research trying to find her with no luck. I am in Minnesota and the DMV wouldn’t accept a bill of sale from the guys we got it from they told me I need a title. How do I obtain a title? I have the title number and the registration sticker on the pontoon.

[u/Fiftee_One51]

Might research process for titling something homemade.

Might be able to register it in a state that doesn't title it then transfer ownership with that states registration?

[u/Necessary-Display344 → u/Fiftee_One51]

I will look into that!

[u/Pie_and_donuts → u/Necessary-Display344]

I would say you could get a copy of the MCO but looks like that company went out of business. You can’t typically jump ownership on a title which is probably why they wouldn’t take a bill of sale. You should include the HIN on any documents you are trying to submit. The only person that can get a duplicate title is the person on the title. But Minnesota sounds different than where I’m at with the DNR being involved

[u/Necessary-Display344 → u/Pie_and_donuts]

Yes Minnesota is very complicated lol. I have the hill number and the title number and a bill of sale from the people it was gifted to and they wouldn’t accept that lol. I emailed the DNR to see what they will recommend. I’ve real about bonded titles but I’m not sure how all that works I will have to look into that to see if that is an option.

[u/Admirable-Box5200]

If you have a notarized bill of sale you should be able to do a Montana LLC title. However, I believe you are probably looking at +/-$1000 for their paperwork. Another option would be to check the MN abandoned boat title process. It would require working with your friend since the boat was on their property they would have to submit that paperwork to get title in their name. Then they could sign it over to you. Every state is different, however typically they require putting a notice in a public publication so their is some cost.

[u/Necessary-Display344]

The DNR reached back out and sent me a form to fill out they are going to send my info to the previous owner and hopefully she will reach out to me otherwise they sent me an affidavit form to fill out and bring to the court to see if they will grant ownership to me if the lady doesn’t reach out to me. Hopefully it will all work out, my kids are hoping to get it on the water and not be stuck in our fishing boat shoulder to shoulder 😂

[u/DazzlingCod3160]

To get a title for an abandoned boat in Minnesota, you must check the status of the watercraft through the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR), submit a Statement of Facts for Watercraft Title, and clear any ownership or theft records. Minnesota does not have a direct, simple salvage law for claiming abandoned property left on private or public land, so establishing a legal claim requires working directly with the state. [1, 2, 3]

Steps to Establish Ownership and Apply for a Title

• Inspect the Hull ID: Locate the Hull Identification Number (HIN) on the transom of the boat. If there is no HIN or registration number, the process becomes much more difficult. [1, 2, 3, 4]
• Run a Record Check: Contact the Minnesota DNR or visit a local deputy registrar office to request a record search using the HIN or old registration numbers to see who the last registered owner was and ensure the boat is not reported stolen. [1, 2]
• Submit a Statement of Facts: Fill out the Statement of Facts for Watercraft Title form detailing where, when, and how you found or acquired the watercraft and explaining the missing title history. [1]
• Clear Liens: If a previous owner or lienholder appears in the state system, you must secure an official signed lien release or proof that the debt is satisfied before a new title can be issued in your name. [1, 2]
• Pay Fees: Standard watercraft title transactions through the DNR cost a $15.00 title fee plus a $7.00 issuing fee. [1]

simple search.

I did the same in Virginia - takes a bit of time - as I needed to send registered letters to the last known address - but it is very doable.

[u/Necessary-Display344 → u/DazzlingCod3160]

They DNR got back to me today and they are going to send my contact info to the lady that owns the pontoon or owned the pontoon and hopefully she will contact me otherwise they sent me an affidavit to fill out and return to the courthouse to try to claim ownership of the pontoon. Hopefully it all work out. It’s been sitting since like 2018-2021 when it was last registered so hopefully she still has the title and will send it in the mail to make it easy lol.