Repatriating the FD is the main problem. Bringing a Boat back into the States that does not have a U.S. Title in hand is impossible.
Canada did not require that FD to be 'Registered & Titled' like here in the U.S. ,
Most Canadians don't do it (Why spend the Money).
So what needs to be done is:
1. Current Canadian Owner needs to Register the Boat (This is done Online) also Order a Title. Then Cancel the Registration upon the Sale of the Boat.
2. You must have a Bill of Sale executed by Buyer and Seller (Notarized in Canada)
3. If you are bringing in a Trailer as well, then the Trailer alone needs to be weighed at a Certified Scale.
4. Have the Canadian Owner send you the Registration & Title, The Bill of Sale, and the Scale Receipt., via Mail.
5. Make Copies !!! Triplicate.
6. Take the Papers to your County DMV and Register and Title the Vessel. also buy the Trailer Plates. The complete Paper Trail.
7. Your ready to go to Canada and get your Boat, Take duplicate Copies with you, because you will need them at the Boarder when entering the U.S. ,
8, At the Boarder you will pull aside and take your papers into the Office, If all the applicable Taxes have been paid (You Paid them when you Registered & Titled the Boat & Trailer at the DMV) you may pay a little fee or nothing at all.
The purpose of all this is mainly the Respective Authorities get their Taxes and to make sure the Boat & Trailer are not Stolen.
Getting the Registrations & Titles take about 1-2 months (Canada is incredibly slow at this, the U.S. is the normal amount of time).
Been there Done that. - Good Luck-
