What Is a Jet Ski Bill of Sale?
A jet ski bill of sale is a written record of the private sale of a personal watercraft (PWC) from one owner to another. The term "jet ski" is commonly used to describe any sit-down or stand-up PWC, even though Jet Ski is technically a Kawasaki trademark. Sea-Doo (BRP), Yamaha WaveRunner, and Kawasaki Jet Ski are the three dominant brands and account for nearly all U.S. sales.
Personal watercraft sit in a regulatory zone all their own. They are governed by the U.S. Coast Guard for hull identification, safety equipment, and federal numbering rules, but they are registered (and sometimes titled) by the individual states the same way boats are. About 30 states issue PWC titles; the rest rely on the bill of sale plus the prior registration to prove ownership.
The most important field on a jet ski bill of sale is the Hull Identification Number (HIN) — a 12-character code molded into the rear starboard corner of the hull. The HIN is the PWC equivalent of a VIN: it identifies one specific hull to one specific manufacturer year, and it is what the state boating agency uses to register the watercraft to the new owner.
A complete jet ski bill of sale also captures the engine type (two-stroke or four-stroke), the hours meter reading, the trailer details if included, the agreed sale price, and a clear as-is clause. Whether you are buying a 2024 Sea-Doo RXT-X 325 or selling a 2008 Yamaha VX, a properly drafted bill of sale protects both parties and gets the buyer through registration without friction.
USCG HIN
12-character hull ID required by federal law on every PWC
Hours Tracking
Engine hours from dash computer drive valuation
State Registration
Required in all 50 states regardless of titling
Jet Ski vs Boat vs Other PWC
PWCs share registration rules with boats but have their own paperwork conventions. Use the right form so the state boating agency can process the transfer cleanly.
| Watercraft | Type | Use This Form |
|---|---|---|
| Sit-Down PWC | Sea-Doo GTI/GTX/RXT, Yamaha VX/FX, Kawasaki STX | Jet Ski Bill of Sale (this page) |
| Stand-Up PWC | Kawasaki SX-R, Yamaha SuperJet | Jet Ski Bill of Sale (this page) |
| Bowrider / Pontoon | Inboard/outboard motorboat | Boat Bill of Sale |
| PWC Trailer | Single or double-bunk trailer | Trailer Bill of Sale |
How to Create a Jet Ski Bill of Sale
Six steps cover every requirement for a clean PWC transfer.
Locate and Verify the HIN
Find the 12-character HIN molded into the rear starboard corner of the hull and compare it character-by-character to the title and registration. A HIN that doesn't match the paperwork — or that has been ground off and re-stamped — is a strong indicator of a stolen hull. Walk away from any PWC with HIN irregularities.
Record the Hours and Engine Type
Power up the dash and record the engine hours. Note whether the engine is a two-stroke or four-stroke (and whether it's normally aspirated or supercharged on Sea-Doo and Kawasaki models). Hours and engine type are the two strongest predictors of remaining service life.
Document the Trailer Separately
If the sale includes a trailer, create a separate trailer bill of sale or add a clearly delineated trailer section with its own VIN, year, make, and value. The trailer is registered through the DMV; the jet ski is registered through the boating agency. Mixing them on a single line creates registration headaches.
Disclose Salt Water and Engine Issues
Note whether the PWC has been operated in salt water, brackish water, or fresh water only. Disclose any known engine, pump, or wear-ring issues. A buyer paying fresh-water-only money for a salt-history hull has a real misrepresentation claim if the seller stays silent.
State the Sale Price and As-Is Terms
Write the price in numbers and words and add a clear as-is clause confirming the buyer has inspected the watercraft. The state will use the price for use tax assessment. Include the payment method — cash, cashier's check, or bank transfer.
Sign and Hand Over the Title and Lanyard
Both parties sign and date. The seller hands over the title (in title states) or the prior registration card, the lanyard kill switch, the keys or DESS post, the manuals, and any maintenance records. The buyer should register the watercraft with the state boating agency within the state's deadline — usually 10 to 30 days.
Key Components
Every field below should appear on a jet ski bill of sale.
| Component | Description |
|---|---|
| Buyer & Seller | Names, addresses, phone numbers |
| Year, Make, Model | E.g., 2023 Sea-Doo RXT-X 325 |
| HIN | 12-character USCG hull ID |
| Engine Type | Two-stroke or four-stroke; supercharged or NA |
| Hours Meter | Reading from dash computer |
| Water History | Salt, brackish, or fresh water disclosure |
| Trailer (optional) | Separately listed VIN and value if included |
| Sale Price | Numerals and words, with payment method |
| As-Is Clause | No-warranty language with disclosed defects |
| Signatures | Dated; notarized in select states |
HIN, Registration, and Boater Education
After the bill of sale is signed, the buyer takes the paperwork to the state boating agency to transfer registration into their name and apply for new decals.
Buyer Reminder: Check Your State's Boater Education Rule
Most states now require a NASBLA-approved boater education card for anyone born after a specific cutoff year. The seller's card does not transfer with the PWC — the new owner needs their own. Online courses are typically $30–$50 and take 4–6 hours.
- State Registration: Required in all 50 states for PWC operation
- Title Transfer: Required in approximately 30 states
- Use Tax: Calculated from sale price on the bill of sale
- Boater Education Card: Required for most operators in most states
- USCG Safety Equipment: Type III PFD per rider, sound device, fire extinguisher
- Decal Display: Registration decals must be visible on both sides of the hull
Sample Jet Ski Bill of Sale
Preview of the completed jet ski bill of sale. Your finished document is customized to your state's PWC titling and registration rules.
JET SKI BILL OF SALE
Personal Watercraft Transfer Document
This Jet Ski Bill of Sale is entered into on[Date]between:
SELLER:
Name: [Seller Name]
Address: [Seller Address]
BUYER:
Name: [Buyer Name]
Address: [Buyer Address]
1. PWC DESCRIPTION
Year: [Year] Make: [Sea-Doo] Model: [RXT-X 325]
HIN: [12-char HIN]
Engine: ☐ 2-stroke ☐ 4-stroke ☐ Supercharged
2. HOURS METER
Engine hours: [Hours]
Water history: ☐ Fresh only ☐ Brackish ☐ Salt
3. TRAILER (if included)
Trailer VIN: [Trailer VIN]
Allocated value: $[Amount]
4. SALE PRICE
$[Amount]([Amount in Words] Dollars)
Frequently Asked Questions
The most common questions buyers and sellers ask about PWC bills of sale, registration, and operator rules.
Official Resources
Authoritative resources for PWC titling, safety, and operator certification.
- U.S. Coast Guard Recreational Boating Safety: Federal HIN rules and PWC safety equipment requirements.
- NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators): Approves boater education courses accepted in every state.
- Personal Watercraft Industry Association (PWIA): Industry safety initiatives and operator resources.
- USCG HIN Lookup: Verify a hull identification number against Coast Guard records.
- Your State Boating Agency: Handles PWC registration, decals, and titling where applicable.
Create your Jet Ski Bill of Sale in under 10 minutes.
Answer a few questions and download a compliant, attorney-drafted document ready for your state.