How to List Your Boat in Florida: The Essential Checklist

Selling a boat in Florida can be easy—if you’re prepared. This comprehensive checklist covers everything from essential paperwork to vetting buyers and ensuring a clean transfer. Follow these steps to successfully list your boat in Florida, reflecting its upgrades, condition, and the current season.

Florida Boat Sale Paperwork Must-Haves

From required documents to pricing strategies and choosing where to list, this guide is built to save you time, help you avoid legal headaches, and get your boat in front of serious buyers—fast. Boat sales in Florida come with their own requirements—especially when it comes to titling and ownership transfers. Avoid delays by making sure you’ve checked all the boxes for your Florida boat sale paperwork.

Here’s what to prep:

  • Florida boat title (in your name, with no lien or with lienholder paperwork ready)
  • Clear, well-lit photos from multiple angles, including interior shots, console, storage, and engine
  • Recent maintenance records or service logs to show the boat’s condition
  • Accurate engine hours and details on upgrades, electronics, or a trailer package (and title documents for the boat trailer)
  • Optional: Hull ID, trailer VIN, proof of storage or dry dock, owner’s manuals, warranty transfer documents

Pro Tips for Better Listings

  • Clean and detail your boat before taking photos. A shiny, clutter-free vessel creates a stronger first impression.
  • Stage the boat like a real estate showing—remove excess gear, open compartments, and shoot in good lighting or during a sunny day.
  • Include specific keywords in your title and description: year, make, model, engine size, and key features.

Next, price your boat using technology. BoatsForSale.com offers an AI-powered valuation engine tailored to Florida’s fast-moving boat market. You’ll see how similar Florida boats are priced nearby and get an instant suggested range that reflects upgrades, condition, and the season.

Florida-Specific Paperwork Must-Haves

Boat sales in Florida come with their own requirements—especially when it comes to titling and ownership transfers. Avoid delays by making sure you’ve checked all the boxes for your Florida boat sale paperwork.

Here’s what you’ll need:

  • Certificate of Title: Florida requires a clean, transferable title for private sales. The buyer will need this to register the boat.
  • Notice of Sale: Once the transaction is complete, you must notify the Florida Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles (FLHSMV) so you’re not liable for anything the buyer does with the boat afterward.
  • Co-Owner Signatures: If the title lists multiple owners, all listed parties must sign to authorize the sale.
  • Trailer Title or Registration: Trailers are titled separately from the vessel. Make sure you include this paperwork if you’re selling the trailer too.
  • Bill of Sale (recommended): While not always legally required, a bill of sale adds a layer of protection and clearly states the terms of the transaction.

Lost your title? You can apply for a duplicate through FLHSMV, either online or at a local tax collector’s office. Handle this before listing your boat in Florida to avoid delays or possibly losing a sale.

Transferring ownership: After the sale, the buyer must transfer the title within 30 days. If they don’t, and you haven’t filed your Notice of Sale, you could still be on the hook for fees or infractions.

How to Vet Buyers in Florida

Florida has a large boating population, but that also means sellers can occasionally encounter scams or unserious buyers. Here’s how to protect yourself when selling a boat in Florida:

  • Use a secure messaging system through a trusted platform like BoatsForSale.com
  • Never accept overpayment or wired refunds—this is a common scam tactic
  • Meet in public places, preferably at marinas or storage facilities
  • Bring a friend if meeting a buyer in person
  • Don’t hand over keys or paperwork until payment is verified and complete

Where and How to List Your Boat in Florida

Now that you’re ready to sell, it’s time to choose a platform built for Florida boaters. BoatsForSale.com was designed specifically for high-activity markets like Florida to help you list your boat in Florida effectively.

Here’s why it works:

  • Free listings for individual sellers with no hidden upsells
  • Mobile-first design optimized for buyers browsing on their phones
  • Verified leads sent directly to your inbox—no spam or unqualified messages
  • AI pricing tool helps you stay competitive in real time
  • Region-specific search tools that match your boat with buyers near you

Whether you’re in Miami, Tampa, Sarasota, Pensacola, or the Keys, your listing is positioned for success. The platform is built to support both casual sellers and dealers, making it easier to reach the right buyer faster.

After the Sale: What to Expect

Once you’ve finalized the sale, you’ll still have a few follow-up steps:

  • File the Notice of Sale with FLHSMV
  • Remove your registration decals if the buyer is transporting the boat
  • Cancel or transfer your insurance
  • Provide the buyer with all documentation: title, bill of sale, any keys, manuals, and warranty papers

Staying organized after the sale protects you and keeps the process legal and clean when selling a boat in Florida. Check out listings in Florida at boatsforsale.com