Buying or selling a boat typically involves more documentation than a basic personal property sale. Boats may be registered or titled, may include an outboard motor, and often come with a trailer—each component may require separate identification details.

A boat bill of sale helps both buyer and seller document the transaction clearly, confirm payment terms, and support ownership transfer documentation. Free boat bill of sale templates in Word provide clean, editable formats designed to capture vessel details such as the Hull Identification Number (HIN) and any included equipment.

This guide includes 40+ free boat bill of sale templates suitable for private sales, used boat transactions, family transfers, and documentation support for registration processes.

What Is a Boat Bill of Sale?

A boat bill of sale is a sale document that records the transfer of boat ownership from seller to buyer under agreed terms.

A standard boat bill of sale typically includes:

• Buyer and seller names and contact details
• Vessel information (make, model, year, length)
• Hull Identification Number (HIN)
• Sale price and payment method
• Sale date and transfer location
• “As-is” or warranty terms
• Included items (outboard motor, trailer, safety equipment, etc.)
• Signatures of both parties (and witness/notary if applicable)

It provides proof of sale and supports clean recordkeeping.

Why Use Free Boat Bill of Sale Templates?

Using free boat bill of sale templates offers practical documentation benefits.

Key benefits include:

• Clear proof of ownership transfer and purchase terms
• Structured fields for HIN and vessel identification
• Easier documentation for registration/title support
• Better clarity on included equipment (motor/trailer)
• Print-ready signing and recordkeeping
• Editable format for different sale scenarios

Templates help reduce errors and improve confidence in boat transactions.

40+ Free Boat Bill of Sale Templates (Word)

Below is a curated collection of boat bill of sale templates, grouped by vessel type and documentation needs.

Core and General Boat Bill of Sale Templates (1–14)

1. Standard Boat Bill of Sale Template
2. Simple Boat Bill of Sale Form
3. One-Page Boat Bill of Sale
4. Editable Boat Bill of Sale (Word)
5. Printable Boat Bill of Sale Template
6. Used Boat Bill of Sale Form
7. Private Party Boat Bill of Sale
8. Boat Bill of Sale with “As-Is” Language
9. Boat Bill of Sale with Warranty Option
10. Boat Bill of Sale with Witness Section
11. Boat Bill of Sale with Notary Block (optional)
12. Boat Sale Receipt + Bill of Sale Bundle
13. Boat Ownership Transfer Record Template
14. Universal Boat Bill of Sale Starter Template

Vessel Identification, Motor, and Trailer Templates (15–28)

15. Boat Bill of Sale with HIN Verification Section
16. Outboard Motor Bill of Sale Attachment
17. Trailer Bill of Sale Attachment (Boat Trailer)
18. Boat + Motor + Trailer Combined Bill of Sale
19. Multiple Items Included Schedule Attachment
20. Boat Condition Disclosure Attachment
21. Maintenance and Service Record Attachment
22. Odometer/Hours Disclosure (Engine Hours) Attachment
23. “No Liens” Statement for Boat Sale Attachment
24. Delivery and Pickup Terms Addendum
25. Deposit and Balance Due Addendum
26. Installment Payment Boat Bill of Sale Template
27. Gifted Boat Bill of Sale Template
28. Family Transfer Boat Bill of Sale Form

State-Ready Sets and Complete Packs (29–40+)

29. State-Style Boat Bill of Sale Format (Generic)
30. Registration Support Checklist (All States Reference)
31. Marine Title Transfer Notes Attachment (Generic)
32. Boat Sale Checklist for Buyer
33. Boat Sale Checklist for Seller
34. Boat Bill of Sale for Small Watercraft
35. Boat Bill of Sale for Sailboats
36. Boat Bill of Sale for Fishing Boats
37. Boat Bill of Sale for Personal Watercraft (PWC/Jet Ski)
38. Boat Bill of Sale for Commercial/Charter Use (basic)
39. Complete Boat Bill of Sale Templates Pack
40. Final Review Checklist for Boat Sale Documents
41. Buyer-Seller Handover Checklist (optional)

Why Use Word Format for Boat Bills of Sale?

Boat transactions often require customizing the document to match the vessel type and included equipment.

Word format advantages include:

• Easy editing of HIN, engine details, and included items
• Flexible attachments for motor/trailer and condition notes
• Print-ready signing for clean recordkeeping
• Reusable templates for multiple vessel transactions
• Simple updates for payment terms or special sale conditions

It supports accurate documentation while staying easy to use.

Best Practices for Boat Bills of Sale

To produce a clean and reliable boat bill of sale:

• Record HIN and vessel details accurately
• List included items (motor, trailer, equipment) clearly
• Document sale price, payment method, and transfer date
• Use “as-is” terms unless a written warranty is included
• Include engine hours and service notes when available
• Both parties should sign and keep copies
• Store photos and condition notes for higher-value boats

Clear documentation protects both buyer and seller.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

When preparing a boat bill of sale, avoid:

• Missing or incorrect HIN information
• Not listing the motor and trailer separately when included
• Vague “included equipment” descriptions
• No payment confirmation or unclear sale price
• Unsigned or undated documents
• Relying on verbal condition promises without written disclosure

Boat transactions benefit from detailed identification and clear inclusion lists.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do boat bills of sale need the HIN?
Yes. Including the HIN is strongly recommended and often required for registration or title support.

Can I include the trailer and motor in the same bill of sale?
Yes. Many templates include a combined format or separate attachments for each component.

Do I need a notary for a boat bill of sale?
It depends on local rules and transaction requirements. Some situations may require notarization.

Why use Word templates for boat bills of sale?
Word templates are easy to customize with vessel details, attachments, and equipment lists.

Does a boat bill of sale complete ownership transfer by itself?
It documents the sale, but formal transfer may require registration/title steps depending on location.

Conclusion

A boat bill of sale is essential for documenting vessel ownership transfers, purchase terms, and identification details like the HIN. The 40+ free boat bill of sale templates in Word in this guide provide professional formats that support clear transactions—especially when motors, trailers, and equipment are included.

With the right template, buyers and sellers can reduce disputes, improve recordkeeping, and complete boat transactions with stronger documentation.

Download 40+ Free Boat Bill of Sale Templates [All States] In Word