Florida Jet Ski bill of sale for private sale

Florida Jet Ski Private Sale: PWC Transfer Complete Guide

Florida leads the nation in personal watercraft registrations, with more than 130,000 registered PWC on state waters. Selling a jet ski in Florida is legally distinct from selling a boat or a car — the state title framework, registration sticker rules, and boating safety requirements create a specific compliance checklist that retail-car transfer guides miss entirely. Florida PWC Title Transfer: HSMV 87015 Florida titles all motorized vessels, including personal watercraft, through the DHSMV. The transfer form is HSMV 87015 (Florida Vessel Application), filed at the county tax collector's office. The HSMV 87015 captures the Hull Identification Number (HIN), the current owner of record, and any recorded liens. Unlike automobile titles, vessel titles in Florida can also carry a "rebuilt vessel" brand for flood- or storm-damaged PWC — always order a title abstract at flhsmv.gov ($2.50) before signing. The HIN is the watercraft equivalent of a VIN. It is a 12-character alphanumeric code permanently affixed to the starboard (right) side of the transom. The format follows ISO 10087: three-letter manufacturer code, five-digit serial, month/year of manufacture, and model year suffix. Verify the physical HIN on the hull matches the HSMV title exactly before signing the transfer documents. Discrepancies indicate a tampered hull and require a law enforcement HIN inspection before the transfer can proceed. Florida Boating Safety ID Card Requirement Florida Statute § 327.395 requires any person born on or after January 1, 1988, to carry a Florida Boating Safety Education ID card (or recognized equivalent) while operating any vessel with 10 horsepower or more — which includes virtually every PWC on the market. Buyers under the age of 40 should obtain their Florida Boating Safety ID before taking possession, as operating without it carries a non-criminal infraction. The card is obtained through a NASBLA-approved course (available online for approximately $35). Include a note in the bill of sale acknowledging the buyer's responsibility to comply with § 327.395. Registration Sticker Placement Florida-registered PWC display two validation decals and a CF-number (registration number). The CF-number must be painted or attached on both bows (port and starboard sides), in letters at least three inches high, in a color contrasting with the hull. The current-year validation decal is placed immediately aft of the CF-number on the port side. The second validation decal goes on the starboard bow. Buyers should plan to re-register immediately after transfer, as the seller's CF-number does not transfer — it is cancelled upon sale and a new number is issued. Florida Sales Tax and the Trailer Florida applies its 6% sales tax to PWC sales with a maximum cap of $18,000 (FL Stat. § 212.05(1)(a)1.b), the same cap applicable to boat sales. Most jet ski transactions fall well below the cap — the 6% tax on a $15,000 Sea-Doo is $900. If the PWC is sold together with a trailer, the trailer is titled separately under standard motor vehicle title rules using HSMV 82040. The combined bill of sale should allocate the purchase price between the PWC and the trailer to avoid both being taxed under vessel rules. Marina and Storage Lien Caution Florida Stat. § 328.17's marina lien applies equally to stored PWC. If the jet ski is in a storage facility at time of sale, obtain a written lien waiver from the facility confirming no outstanding storage charges before completing the transfer. A buyer who takes delivery of a PWC with unpaid storage fees inherits the lien. Step-by-Step Florida Jet Ski Transfer Checklist 1. Order DHSMV title abstract ($2.50) — confirm seller of record, HIN, and any liens. 2. Inspect physical HIN on starboard transom — confirm it matches the title. 3. Complete HSMV 87015 (Florida Vessel Application) — file at county tax collector. 4. Pay Florida sales tax (6%, capped at $18,000) at time of title transfer. 5. If trailer included: complete HSMV 82040 for trailer title transfer separately. 6. Seller files HSMV 82050 (Notice of Sale) within 30 days. 7. Buyer enrolls in Florida Boating Safety Education course if born after Jan 1, 1988. 8. Buyer re-registers PWC in their name — new CF-number issued; old number retired.

Source: FL Stat. § 327.395; FL Stat. § 328.17; FL Stat. § 212.05(1)(a)1.b; HSMV 87015; HSMV 82050; ISO 10087