I believe this is simpler than you folks are making it, although it certainly is a PITA.


<<<Section 319.23(3)(a)(2)(c), Florida Statutes, reads: “If the vehicle is an ancient or antique vehicle as defined in s. 320.086, F.S., the application shall be accompanied by a certificate of title; a bill of sale and a registration; or a bill of sale and an affidavit by the owner defending the title from all claims. The bill of sale must contain a complete vehicle description to include the vehicle identification or engine number, year make, color, selling price, and signatures of the seller and purchaser.” >>>


Having spent a lot of time in the DMV line, often with "unusual" paperwork issues, I learned that you never go without having an answer for every question.

All they really want is for you to have some sort of paper trail as to where you got the boat and how much you paid. Obviously, an MSO or title solves that issue along with a bill of sale stating the price and describing the property.

In lieu of these, an affidavit (as stated in the staute) is probably sufficient. In Florida, this should be notarized.

Since you know where you got your boat, the logical first step is to go back to the seller for a statement. He should also know where he got the boat, and so forth.

This is called a verifiable chain of ownership. It should state each owner in succession, back to the selling dealer, along with their last known address and phone number.

Hopefully there weren't too many owners.

If the selling dealer is still in business, he MAY be willing to make a statement for your affidavit.

You can also work the ownership chain from the dealer end if you can get the manufacturer to tell you where the boat was first delivered.

Once you have the chain reconstructed, sign it in front of a notary and that is your affidavit.

The more detail you can provide, the better.

You will have to pay the sales tax in any case, and the title fee.