BillOfSaleNow

City release page

Tampa, Florida Boat Bill of Sale

Use this bill of sale when selling a boat in Tampa, Florida. It documents the transfer and helps you complete DMV title paperwork.

Tampa, FloridaBoatPopulation rank #45

What to include

  • Buyer and seller names and addresses
  • Boat VIN and vehicle details
  • Sale price and date
  • Signatures from both parties

Next step

Create a compliant bill of sale and download the signed PDF immediately.

Local Requirements — Hillsborough County

DMV / Title Office

Hillsborough County Tax Collector – Main Office

Address

601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602

Phone

(813) 635-5200

Office Hours

Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM

Transfer Fees & Taxes

Title Transfer Fee

$75.25

Sales Tax Rate

7.50%

Base Registration Fee

$27.60

Florida state rate 6% + Hillsborough County surtax 1.5%

Notarization: NOT REQUIRED

Florida does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

Tampa Transfer Checklist

  • Complete HSMV 82040 at the Hillsborough County Tax Collector
  • Florida 6% + Hillsborough 1.5% surtax collected at title transfer
  • Title must be transferred within 30 days
  • Odometer disclosure required for vehicles under 10 years old

County Information — Hillsborough County

County Clerk / Recorder

Hillsborough County Clerk of Courts

Phone

(813) 276-8100

Website

https://www.hillsclerk.com

Boat market data and safety information

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.

Safety checkpoints for buying a used boat

Before completing a boat bill of sale in Florida, verify these safety items:

  • Verify Hull Identification Number (HIN) matches registration documents
  • Check for delamination, blistering, or water intrusion in fiberglass hulls
  • Inspect transom for softness or rot — the most expensive structural repair
  • Test all bilge pumps, navigation lights, and required safety equipment

Boat insurance and depreciation in Florida

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.

Boat registration and titling

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 sales in Tampa, Florida

Tampa residents completing a boat bill of sale should be aware of local requirements in addition to Florida state rules. The state sales tax rate is 6%, 6% state plus county discretionary surtax (0.5–1.5%). The most popular boat makes in Florida include Bayliner, Sea Ray, Boston Whaler.

Florida bill of sale statistics

BillOfSaleNow has generated 8,923 bill of sale documents for Florida transactions, with 241 generated this month alone. The most popular vehicle type is car.

Why Documentation Helps Protect Asking Price

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)

Frequently asked questions

What county is Tampa in, and which office handles title transfers?

Tampa is in Hillsborough County. Title transfers are handled by the Hillsborough County Tax Collector – Main Office at 601 E Kennedy Blvd, Tampa, FL 33602. Hours: Mon–Fri 8:00 AM–5:00 PM. Phone: (813) 635-5200.

What is the sales tax rate on a boat sale in Tampa?

The combined rate is 7.50%. Florida state rate 6% + Hillsborough County surtax 1.5%.

Is notarization required for a boat bill of sale in Tampa?

No. Florida does not require notarization for private vehicle sales.

What fees should I expect when transferring a boat title in Tampa?

Title transfer fee: $75.25. Base registration fee: $27.60. Sales tax at 7.50% is collected at the time of title transfer.