How could I claim an abandoned boat in the state of Texas?

Question

The boat has been abandoned at a local boat store here, and the owner of the shop is tired of it being in his parking lot and offered to give it to my husband for free. They have taken the registration numbers and looked up the owner and tried to contact him, but they can't find the owner anywhere. How could we go about legally claiming this boat and getting it registered and changed to our name.

Answer 1

OK this is the best state to get the boat transferred into your name ...... don't tell the ''''local boat store'''' owner that you have this info ..... get the """LBS'''' guy to sell you the boat for $10.00 and get a receipt that shows the boat was purchased for the """storage charges""" then proceed to the TX Game & Wildlife office where you can register the boat into your name --- as the wife you go to the TGW office and just play dumb and if they ask you tell them that it is a surprise for hubby --- if they don't liike your sales ticket then you may have to try some registered letter and a mechanics lien for storage tactics --- but i think if you go with the surprise answer you will probably be okay ..... remember to give only the answers that you are asked and don't get wordy and tell all ... at the point of telling all you will lose this deal ...... you have heard that knowledge is power --- keep it to yourself ...... good luck

Answer 2

I'm in the middle of this right now for my boat. You have to go to a texas parks and wildlife office where boats are registered. You pay a couple of dollars for a lien search. that will show you the last owner on record. You have to go to that person and get things cleared up. In many cases, they will allow for an affidavit from the person that sold you the boat and a returned certified letter showing your attempt to contact the previous person on record. In some cases they will allow for a bonded title, but only ship yards etc. can apply for a salvage title. It is a royal pain I know..google Texas Parks and Wildlife and go from there. Good luck, you will need it. FYI, the DMV is only good for the trailer. That works much like a car.

Answer 3

One option is for the boat store to put a lien on it for storage fees. If the fees aren't paid within a certain amount of time specified by the rules in Texas the boat becomes the property of the store at which point he could give you a boat that belongs to him instead of someone else. It doesn't take 2-3 years either. Its most likely just a matter of months.

Answer 4

Storage Lien Texas

Answer 5

If it's like an abandoned car in Washington State, you need to send a certified letter to the last known owner asking for them to release the item to you. If the letter comes back to you as undeliverable, take it unopened to the license department and they can put your name on as registered owner. It takes 3 years to receive the title as they have to wait and see if it is reclaimed by the owner. You should check with your local DMV to see what the procedure is in your state.

Answer 6

city hall D.M.V.. Then you would need a letter from the shop owner saying that the boot was lrft there and the ownere is not reachible..
look up the owners name ect.. and wright a letter to him saying that you will take charge of the boot if after a mounth you have no answer take the copy of letter to registration office and clame the boot as abandoned reregister it in your name and it is yours......

if the shop owner wants it to be taken out of his place then you will need to wright a letter of info: ot the owner of boot saying that the boot has been temperaly moved to your houst to keep it safe..... name address tel: ect...then you can move the boot to a safe place the shop owner is happy and you will have a new boot in the futuer....

Answer 7

General Information
Parks and Wildlife Code states:

Subchapter A, Section 31.003, Parks and Wildlife Code (definitions):

(17) "Abandoned vessel or outboard motor" means a vessel or outboard motor that has remained on private property without the consent of the owner or person in charge of the property for more than seven consecutive days.

Subchapter B-1, Chapter 31, Parks and Wildlife Code:
Sec. 31.0466. TITLE FOR ABANDONED VESSEL; BOND.
(a) A person may apply for a certificate of title for an abandoned vessel or outboard motor found on the person's property.
(b) The department may cancel the certificate for the abandoned vessel or outboard motor and issue a new certificate to the applicant if the applicant:
(1) executes and files a bond with the department:
(A) in the form prescribed by the department;
(B) issued by a person authorized to act as a surety business in this state;
(C) in an amount equal to 1-1/2 times the value of the abandoned vessel or outboard motor as determined by the department; and
(D) conditioned to indemnify all prior owners and lienholders and all subsequent purchasers of the abandoned vessel or outboard motor or persons who acquire a security interest in the vessel or outboard motor, and their successors in interest, against any expense, loss, or damage, including reasonable attorney's fees, resulting from:
(i) the issuance of the certificate of title for the abandoned vessel or outboard motor; or
(ii) a defect in or undisclosed security interest in the right, title, or interest of the applicant to or in the abandoned vessel or outboard motor;
(2) proves to the satisfaction of the department that:
(A) the abandoned vessel or outboard motor is not stolen;
(B) issuance of a certificate of title would not defraud the owner or a lienholder of the abandoned vessel or outboard motor;
(C) at least 30 days before the applicant applied for the certificate, the applicant contacted the applicant's local law enforcement agency through certified mail to report that the vessel or outboard motor is abandoned; and
(D) the local law enforcement agency has not taken the abandoned vessel or outboard motor into custody or informed the applicant of the agency's intent to take the abandoned vessel or outboard motor into custody; and
(3) posts notice of the certificate of title application in the manner and for a period of time designated by rule by the department.
(c) A person described by Subsection (b)(1)(D) has a right of action to recover on the bond for a breach of a condition of the bond described by Subsection (b)(1)(D). The aggregate liability of the surety to all persons may not exceed the amount of the bond.
(d) A bond filed under this section expires on the third anniversary of the date the bond became effective. The department shall return an expired bond to the person who filed the bond unless the department has been notified of a pending action to recover on the bond.
(e) On return of a bond under Subsection (d), the department shall issue a certificate of title to the person to whom the bond is returned.
(f) If an abandoned vessel or outboard motor is not claimed before the department issues a certificate of title under this section, the owner or lienholder waives all rights and interests in the abandoned vessel or outboard motor and consents to the cancellation of the certificate for the abandoned vessel or outboard motor.
(g) The applicant for the certificate of title for the abandoned vessel or outboard motor takes title free and clear of all liens and claims of ownership.
(h) In addition to the situation described by Subsection (b)(2), the commission by rule may define acceptable situations in which certificates of title may be issued after the filing of a bond under this section.
(i) This section does not apply to a vessel or outboard motor that is subject to a contract or lien under Chapter 59 or 70, Property Code.

Answer 8

Best call the State and find out as if it was easy there would be more thefts and new titles issued>

Answer 9

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/