Do I need a special bill of sale for a used yacht in Georgia?
Georgia requires a bill of sale for all private party vehicle sales. A used yacht may have additional disclosure requirements around condition, mileage, or title status.
Used vehicle bill of sale
Used Yacht Bill of Sale Georgia
Selling a used yacht in Georgia? Pre-owned vehicle private party sale — generate the right bill of sale for your transaction.
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Selling a used yacht in Georgia
When selling a used yacht 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.
Legal considerations for used vehicles in Georgia
Georgia requires the seller to complete the assignment form on the back of the original title, entering the buyer's full legal name, current address, date of sale, and the odometer reading. The seller must also cancel registration by submitting Form MV-18J (Application of Voluntary Registration Cancellation) to the county tag office or online via DRIVES e-Services. Sellers in the 13 metro-Atlanta counties (Cherokee, Clayton, Cobb, Coweta, DeKalb, Douglas, Fayette, Forsyth, Fulton, Gwinnett, Henry, Paulding, and Rockdale) must provide a valid, unexpired emissions inspection certificate at time of sale — failure is a misdemeanor with fines of $100 for the first offense, $500 for the second, and $1,000 for each subsequent offense. The Georgia DOR's Form T-7 Bill of Sale is used for vehicles 1985 or older that do not carry a title; for titled vehicles (1986 and newer) the back of the title serves as the primary transfer document. Note: the specific ink-color requirement (blue or black ink) was not confirmed on the official DOR source page and has been removed from this note.
Required disclosures
Federal odometer disclosure is required on the title assignment form for vehicles under 20 model years old. Vehicles 20 model years old or older may enter 'exempt' in the odometer field under the Federal Truth in Mileage Act, as confirmed by the Georgia DOR odometer disclosure page. Georgia Code § 40-3-91(c) makes delivering or accepting a title assigned in blank a misdemeanor punishable by up to $100 fine or 30 days imprisonment.
Georgia Required Form: Form T-7 (Bill of Sale, required for pre-1986 vehicles); Form MV-18J (Registration Cancellation)
Georgia requires Form Form T-7 (Bill of Sale, required for pre-1986 vehicles); Form MV-18J (Registration Cancellation) for used vehicle transactions. No additional state inspection is required.
Georgia steps for used vehicles
- Complete all fields on the title assignment form (back of title)
- Cancel your registration via DRIVES e-Services or by submitting Form MV-18J to the county tag office
- Provide a valid emissions inspection certificate if selling in one of the 13 metro-Atlanta counties
- For vehicles 1985 or older without a title, complete Form T-7 Bill of Sale
- Retain a copy of the completed title and any bill of sale for your records
Buyer warning
The buyer is responsible for titling and registering the vehicle within 7 days of the purchase date at the county tag office, using Form MV-1 (Title/Tag Application). All vehicles in Georgia are sold 'AS IS' unless otherwise specified in writing — 'As is means NO warranty, and verbal promises may not apply,' per the Georgia Attorney General's Consumer Protection Division. An emissions inspection certificate may be required in applicable counties.
Georgia Yacht transfer fees and requirements
In Georgia, the title transfer fee is $18 and registration costs $20 per year. Yacht sales are subject to Title Ad Valorem Tax (TAVT) of 6.6% of fair market value. Georgia does not require notarization for private-party yacht transfers. Emission testing is required in Georgia — verify the yacht passes before completing the sale.
- TAVT replaced sales tax and annual ad valorem tax in 2013
- Emissions testing required in 13 metro Atlanta counties
- Title must be transferred within 30 days of purchase
Georgia sales tax on yacht purchases
Georgia has a 6.6% state sales tax rate. 6.6% TAVT (Title Ad Valorem Tax) on fair market value. Private-party yacht 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.
Yacht market data and safety information
The most common yacht makes in private-party sales are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking. Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Yachts average 1 NHTSA recalls per model across categories including Fuel System, Electrical, Engine.
Safety checkpoints for buying a used yacht
Before completing a yacht bill of sale in Georgia, verify these safety items:
- Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft
- Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports
- Check hull condition with moisture meter and visual inspection below waterline
- Verify USCG documentation or state registration status
- Confirm life-raft service is current and EPIRB is registered/within battery date
- Verify USCG-required PFDs for max passenger count plus throwables and signals
- Test bilge alarm system and high-water sensors in each compartment
- Inspect fire-suppression system in engine room (FE-241 or equivalent)
Yacht insurance and depreciation in Georgia
Yacht insurance is 1–2% of hull value annually. Agreed-value policies are standard. Navigation limits and crew requirements affect premiums. Yachts depreciate 10–15% per year for the first 5 years. Well-maintained vessels from premium builders hold value best. Peak season for private yacht sales is fall/winter boat shows drive buyer interest for spring delivery, with an average of 90 days on market.
Yacht registration and titling
Yachts are classified as "USCG-documented vessel (over 5 net tons) or state-registered vessel" for registration purposes. Yachts are classified by length overall (LOA), not weight. Vessels over 65 ft may require a licensed captain. Federal odometer disclosure does not apply to yachts.
Yacht title transfer rules
Yacht ownership transfer uses a Hull Identification Number (HIN). Yachts over 5 net tons are typically documented with the U.S. Coast Guard rather than state-titled. USCG documentation transfer requires filing with the National Vessel Documentation Center. USCG-documented yachts use a federal Certificate of Documentation and transfer through the National Vessel Documentation Center. State-titled yachts (uncommon for vessels this size) use state title transfer procedures.
Required disclosures for yacht sales in Georgia
When selling a yacht in Georgia, the following disclosures apply:
- USCG documentation status and any outstanding maritime liens — the Abstract of Title from the Coast Guard should be reviewed before purchase.
- Marine survey results (hull, engine, rigging) are standard practice for yacht transactions and should be referenced in the bill of sale.
- Slip or mooring transfer — marina agreements do not automatically transfer with the vessel and should be addressed separately.
Georgia bill of sale statistics
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.
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Create Georgia Yacht Bill of SaleFrequently asked questions
What should I include when selling a used yacht?
Include buyer and seller details, vehicle identifiers (VIN, year, make, model), sale price, date, signatures, and a clear description of the vehicle condition as used.
Is a used yacht bill of sale legally binding in Georgia?
Yes. A properly completed bill of sale is a legal document in Georgia. For used vehicles, disclosing the condition protects both buyer and seller.
What are the Georgia fees for transferring a used yacht?
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.
How much is a used yacht worth in a private sale?
Average private-party yacht prices range from $50,000–$500,000+. Used vehicles typically fall in the lower range. The most common makes are Sea Ray, Beneteau, Boston Whaler, Grady-White, Viking.
What safety items should I check on a used yacht?
Require a professional marine survey before purchase — standard practice for vessels over 26 ft Inspect engine hours, service records, and oil analysis reports