As a California business and legal template writer with over twelve years of experience helping thousands of boat owners transfer titles cleanly, I’ve seen firsthand how one missing signature or incorrect form can delay a sale by months and cost hundreds in DMV penalties. In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through exactly how to sell a boat in California in 2025, explain the current California DMV boat registration requirements, show you when and why you need the CA DMV REG 135 (Bill of Sale), and give you a free, attorney-reviewed Boat Bill of Sale California template that is 100% compliant with the latest California Department of Motor Vehicles and Department of Boating and Waterways rules.
Important Disclaimer: This article and the downloadable template are for informational purposes only and do not constitute legal or tax advice. Always consult a licensed California attorney or CPA for your specific situation.
All documented vessels and most undocumented vessels with motors (or sailboats 8 feet or longer) must be registered with the California DMV, not your local county recorder. The only exceptions are non-motorized vessels under 8 feet and certain vessels already registered with the U.S. Coast Guard that elect federal documentation instead of state registration.
According to the official California DMV website (IRS.gov is for federal taxes; boat registration is handled by DMV.ca.gov), every registered boat receives:
Source: California DMV – Vessel Registration (accessed November 2025).
Follow these exact steps to avoid the most common (and expensive) mistakes I see every week:
Even though the title itself contains a bill-of-sale section on the back, the California DMV still requires the separate REG 135 form in most private-party boat sales because:
Official REG 135 downloadable here: DMV.ca.gov REG 135
Click below to download my completely free, updated-for-2025 California Boat Bill of Sale template in both PDF and editable Word format. I personally update this template every January and after every major DMV policy change.
Download Free California Boat Bill of Sale Template (PDF)
Download Editable Word Version Here
| What My Template Includes That Most Free Ones Miss | |
|---|---|
| 2025 California mussel sticker acknowledgment | ✓ |
| Hour-meter reading disclosure (required for 2018+ outboards) | ✓ |
| Trailer VIN and bill-of-sale section (most sales include trailer) | ✓ | Quagga/Zebra mussel prevention wording (CA law) | ✓ |
| As-is warranty disclaimer with bolded California language | ✓ |
| Space for two sellers and two buyers | ✓ |
When the buyer registers the boat, they will owe California use tax on the purchase price shown on the REG 135. Current statewide rate is 7.25%, but local districts add up to 3% more (Los Angeles County = 9.5%, San Diego = 7.75%, etc.).
There is NO sales tax exemption for private boat sales in California unless the sale occurs outside the state and the boat leaves California waters within 90 days (very rare).
Source: California Department of Tax and Fee Administration – CDTFA.ca.gov
In my practice, these are the top five reasons California DMV returns boat title packets:
If your boat is USCG Documented:
Selling a boat in California doesn’t have to be stressful. With the correct forms and a properly completed Boat Bill of Sale California template, most transfers are processed in under 30 days.
Download my free 2025 template today and close your sale with confidence.
FREE DOWNLOAD: California Boat Bill of Sale 2025
Have questions about your specific situation? Drop a comment below or contact a local vessel registrar. Safe boating!
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