Title and Registration for 7 year old Kayak and craigslist outboard

[esox niger]

Im trying to figure out how to get an outboard on my 12'6" kayak. I've owned and used the kayak, without registration, for 7years or so, and have no way to prove ownership....and have never seen a boat identification #. the # may be under layers of paint.... how will i go about registering this yak?  (pretend to have purchased from buddy who writes up bill of sale?)

assuming its possible.....

The second issue I am having is the purchase of the outboard... I assume the best case scenario is that the seller has the motor title and registration up to date... but if that's not the case what do i need to do to cover my backside and make sure i can get the motor titled and registered. 

I don't want to go buy a motor and then not be able to get legal.. also the yak is 12'6" and i wanna put a 4 hp on it... any problems there? I assume the yak could be register for use with a trolling motor and that the yak and motor registration are on separate paper work...therefore i could theoretically register the boat as trolling motor vessel and just register the motor seperate? thoughts.  ... Thanks

[fishinwrench]

Well in a more perfect world something so trivial and simple would be a breeze, but the world we live in has people working for the DMV that get off on making your life as miserable as possible.    Therefore my advise is to not even bother with registration in this case.  Run it, and IF you get busted pay the fine.  Trust me, the quality of your life will be better doing it that way.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I agree with Wrench except the DMV's intent on dogging people on registration "issues". 

None the less.  Walk away or take you're chances. 

[esox niger]

Thanks guys... I love the response!  yeah i could probably get away with it.....I have really good luck when it comes to avoiding law enforcement! I mean really good luck. (its probably shot since i just gloated about it) ...   maybe i will just go with it..

[Gavin]

You can file for a title by affidavit, get it inspected by highway patrol first. PIA to do so. Used to do some tax work for an avid motorcycle collector.He passed on two years ago, but used to order bikes a from all over the world. He figured out how to title his stuff online in a couple other states that have easy online title processes, then he retitled in MO with the OOS title. Easier than the Missouri DMV. Figure they would encourage you to title and pay property tax, but they make it hard in MO.

[snagged in outlet 3]

12 hours ago, Gavin said:

You can file for a title by affidavit, get it inspected by highway patrol first.

Don't bother with this.   By the time you get to this stage you already own it and if they deny your application (which they do most often) you're out.

[fishinwrench]

I guess one way to get it done would be to appear in court when/if given a summons for failure to register.  Have property tax receipts in hand and ask the judge to direct you to the person who can take your money and make you legal.    

Surely you can't be cited for failure to register a vessal if registering is impossible via state agency's.  They'll have to think of something else to charge you with.  Maybe you can have it Coast Guard documented....which doesn't require state registration ?  

[David Unnerstall]

When I bought the Chrysler four years ago the people in the License Office were tickled with the titles for the trailer, boat and trolling motor.  But I was told the outboard would have to be inspected by the Water Patrol before it can be registered.  No logic was offered.  This would require me to hitch the boat and try to make arrangements with some WP officer somewhere for him to look at it and say that is indeed an outboard and go back to the License Office.  If and when I do get stopped I will tell him I was told the outboard is to be inspected by a Water Patrol officer and isn't this a perfect time for that.

[snagged in outlet 3]

Nice!!

[MOBass]

Seems to me we need to contact our elected representatives in Jeff City and explain that they need to cut through the nonsense less they get fired from their cushy jobs.  In some districts it wouldn't take much to oust one if they got complacent.

My buddy went through the flaming hoops of getting his outboard registered.  It took about two months of run around with various agencies.

Put me in the run it and deal with the paperwork later camp.  Odds are the enforcement officer won't even know how you're supposed to get things done right proper.