Project Vehicle vehicle bill of sale
Selling a project vehicle boat in Georgia? Project or non-running vehicle sale — generate the right bill of sale for your transaction.
When selling a project vehicle boat through a private party sale in Georgia, a bill of sale protects both the buyer and seller by documenting the transaction details and the vehicle's condition at the time of sale.
In Georgia, a certificate of title is required for the sale of any 1986 or newer vehicle, even if it is non-running or sold for parts. The seller must properly assign the back of the original title to the buyer. If the Georgia DOR has determined the vehicle is non-rebuildable, the salvage certificate shall be revoked and such vehicle may only be used for scrap or parts — no title can be issued under any circumstances, including via a surety bond. A project vehicle being actively rebuilt as an assembled vehicle must pass a state-approved inspection and submit Forms MV-1, MV-100 (Affidavit of Assembled Vehicle Inspection), and T-129 (Labor and Parts Certification). The vehicle must be towed, not driven, to the inspection site.
The bill of sale must clearly state that the vehicle is sold in non-running condition and, if applicable, that it is sold for parts or restoration only. If the vehicle carries a salvage or rebuilt brand, O.C.G.A. § 40-3-36 requires disclosure of that brand. Out-of-state nonrebuildable designations are also honored in Georgia — the commissioner shall not issue any certificate of title for such vehicle and the vehicle shall not be used for any purpose except parts.
Georgia requires Form Form T-7 (Bill of Sale, if pre-1986); Form MV-1 (Title/Tag Application); Form MV-100 (Affidavit of Assembled Vehicle Inspection, for rebuilt/assembled projects); Form T-129 (Labor and Parts Certification, for rebuilt/assembled projects) for project vehicle vehicle transactions. No additional state inspection is required.
A Georgia project vehicle with a salvage title cannot be driven on public roads until it passes a rebuilt inspection and receives a rebuilt title. If the DOR has designated the vehicle non-rebuildable, no title can ever be issued and the vehicle can only be used for parts or scrap — verify this status before purchase. For assembled vehicle rebuilds, the vehicle must be towed (not driven) to the inspection site.
In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Boat sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party boat transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the boat passes before completing the sale.
Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party boat sales in Georgia are subject to sales tax. TAVT applies to all vehicle sales — replaces sales tax since 2013. The title transfer fee is $18.
The most common boat makes in private-party sales are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha. Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Boats average 1.8 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Steering.
Before completing a boat bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:
Boat insurance averages $200–$500/year for boats under 26 ft. Agreed-value policies are preferred over actual-cash-value. Boats depreciate 30–40% in the first 5 years. Aluminum fishing boats hold value better than fiberglass sport boats. Peak season for private boat sales is early spring (march–may) ahead of boating season, with an average of 45 days on market.
Boats are classified as "Watercraft (state-registered) or USCG-documented vessel" for registration purposes. Boats are measured by length, not weight, for registration. Trailers have separate weight-based registration. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to boats.
Boat ownership transfer uses a Hull Identification Number (HIN), not a VIN. Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard (typically over 26 feet) transfer through federal documentation, not state title. State-titled boats transfer like vehicles with a signed title and bill of sale. State-titled boats use a certificate of title similar to a vehicle. USCG-documented vessels use a federal Certificate of Documentation. Buyers should verify which system applies before closing.
When selling a boat in Georgia, the following disclosures apply:
BillOfSaleNow has generated 3,204 bill of sale documents for Georgia transactions, with 86 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.
Generate a Georgia boat bill of sale with condition details included.
Create Georgia Boat Bill of SaleGeorgia requires a bill of sale for all private party vehicle sales. A project vehicle boat may have additional disclosure requirements around condition, mileage, or title status.
Include buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers (VIN, year, make, model), sale price, date, signatures, and a clear description of the vehicle condition as project vehicle.
Yes. A properly completed bill of sale is a legal document in Georgia. For project vehicle vehicles, disclosing the condition protects both buyer and seller.
Georgia charges a $18 title transfer fee. Registration costs $20 per year. Sales tax: Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Notarization is not required.
Average private-party boat prices range from $5,000–$75,000. Project Vehicle vehicles typically fall in the lower range. The most common makes are Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler, Tracker, Yamaha.
Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
45% faster sale
Vehicles whose listings include a history report spend ~45% less time on site before selling, and report-viewers are 5x more likely to become a lead.
Source: Experian / AutoCheck
$4,000 avg loss
NHTSA estimates 450,000+ vehicles per year are sold with rolled-back odometers — the average victim loses about $4,000 in downstream repair costs.
Source: NHTSA
17.5M private sales/yr
About 17.5 million private-party vehicle transactions happen in the U.S. each year — roughly 47% of the used market.
Source: Cox Automotive 2024
1 in 3 buyers
Roughly 1 in 3 used-car buyers say they suspect private sellers are hiding mechanical problems — documentation closes that trust gap.
Source: JW Surety Bonds (n=3,000)
$60–$85 mobile notary
Mobile notary visit minimums run $60–$85 — higher on weekends, plus per-mile travel fees. State-formatted documents skip the trip.
Source: Thumbtack / NNA