Can i buy a boat and use in the U.S?

[overlake]

Im planning to buy a boat or PWC during my 4 weeks stay in Florida.
Is it possible for me as a non-US citizen to use it while in Florida?
Do you americans use a title for boats?
Do you need to have any sort of license for boats in the US?

 

[whitetrash1]

Im planning to buy a boat or PWC during my 4 weeks stay in Florida.
Is it possible for me as a non-US citizen to use it while in Florida?
Do you americans use a title for boats?
Do you need to have any sort of license for boats in the US?

we do have titles. have you thought about just renting one? no lisence in texas where i live but i am not sure about florida

 

[overlake]

Its probably cheaper to buy a pwc and use it and then ship it to Sweden when returning home.
How does it work when you buy a boat?
I've only bought cars in the U.S and when doing so, driving them in the U.S is hard.

 

[whitetrash1]

Its probably cheaper to buy a pwc and use it and then ship it to Sweden when returning home.
How does it work when you buy a boat?
I've only bought cars in the U.S and when doing so, driving them in the U.S is hard.

ok so you do plan on shipping it back home then. it should be just like purchasing a car or very close at least

 

[overlake]

hmm....
Then driving it legally can be a problem i guess.

 

[Grizzly Adams]

I have never heard of any place that requires a license to drive a boat.

 

[thomas91169]

no license here. you do have to register your pwc/boat and you do have a title for it. i think if you just pay what you need to register it you should be fine.

now are you planning on having someone tow the pwc to and from the water for you?

 

[03SoniCobra]

yes, anyone can register a boat here, you don't have to be a permanent resident or anything like that

 

[FordSVTFan]

Its probably cheaper to buy a pwc and use it and then ship it to Sweden when returning home.
How does it work when you buy a boat?
I've only bought cars in the U.S and when doing so, driving them in the U.S is hard.

A boat would be a very similar process to buying a car, as it does require the transfer of title and registration in the state with the appropriate reg. numbers affixed to the hull.

 

[overlake]

Thank you for all the answers.
So if i would buy a boat from a private person.
Where do i go to fix the title?

I will be staying in Fort Lauderdale for 4 weeks.

 

[thomas91169]

You go to the local DMV to transfer the title and pay whatever costs necessary to register it in your name.

Have fun! are you getting a boat or a PWC (Wave Runner/Jet Ski?)

 

[JetmechF16]

Does the DMV handle boats as well? I could've sworn I registered my boat at the parks and wildlife department. Although that was a few years ago, so I could be mistaken.

 

[overlake]

I will probably be getting a Wave runner...

 

[cobr96]

In Texas You DO register boats with the Parks & Wildlife. just do a search on the florida website.

 

[dogmush]

In Florida, the DMV does the registration. My boat, trailer and cars all come in the same envolope. Just take the signrd title to the DMV, pay taxes, and you're good to go. No license needed to drive. Or I should say no license required to drive. Lots of folks need one. Here's to one more PWC on the intercostal.

Here, read this first. Please.

USCG COLREGS