Boats for Sale in Nevada
Nevada is a desert state with famous water. Lake Mead and Lake Mohave on the Colorado River, Lake Tahoe on the California line, and Pyramid Lake north of Reno all draw boaters.
Titles and registration through NDOW
The Nevada Department of Wildlife (NDOW) titles and registers boats. Nevada titles watercraft, so a used boat should come with a properly endorsed Nevada or out-of-state Certificate of Ownership.
For a new or never-titled boat, NDOW wants:
- proof of ownership (the original bill of sale and any later bills of sale)
- proof that sales tax was paid, except on private-party sales
- the original Manufacturer's Statement of Origin
- your Social Security number and the fees
If the MSO is missing, the boat comes from a non-title state, or the HIN on the MSO is handwritten, you must bring the boat to an NDOW office for inspection.
These first-time title transactions can't be done by mail; they're in person. Call your NDOW office ahead of a visit.
Sales tax
NDOW states that proof of sales tax isn't required on private-party sales. For dealer, broker or repossession sales, it is. Questions go to the Nevada Department of Taxation.
Boater education
Nevada boaters born on or after January 1, 1983 must complete an NDOW-approved boater education course. NDOW's rules page says this applies before operating on interstate waters, which include Lake Mead, Lake Mohave and Lake Tahoe. Check the current Handbook of Nevada Boating Laws for the exact horsepower and water details.
AIS prevention
NDOW runs an Aquatic Invasive Species prevention program. Clean, drain and dry your boat between waters, and expect inspections when moving between lakes.
Where to boat
Lake Mead National Recreation Area covers Lake Mead and Lake Mohave, with launches near Boulder City, Las Vegas Bay and Cottonwood Cove. Lake levels have dropped in recent years, so check which ramps are open. Lake Tahoe is cold, clear and deep, with marinas on both the Nevada and California sides. Pyramid Lake is on tribal land, so check its rules before you go. Lahontan Reservoir is a summer favorite near Fallon.
Hazards include sudden desert winds, extreme summer heat, cold water at Tahoe, and long distances between services on the bigger lakes.
Popular boats
Wake and ski boats, pontoons and houseboats on Lake Mead and Mohave, fishing boats for striped bass, and classic wooden runabouts and sailboats on Tahoe.
Buying tips for Nevada
Check the HIN on the hull against the title. If the boat has no MSO or comes from a non-title state, plan an NDOW inspection. Desert sun is hard on vinyl, canvas and trailer tires. Ask where the boat has been used and check for mussels on hulls, outdrives and raw water systems.
Ask the seller for the Nevada title before money changes hands, and make sure every owner listed on it has signed. If you are buying from a dealer, keep the paperwork showing sales tax paid, since NDOW asks for it on dealer sales. Trailers are a separate item, so check how the trailer is titled and registered with the DMV, and inspect bearings, brakes and tires for long tows across hot highways. A sea trial on the water tells you more than any listing photo.
1 boat for sale
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to show sales tax paid on a private boat sale in Nevada?
No. NDOW says proof of sales tax is not required on private-party sales.
Who needs boater education in Nevada?
Boaters born on or after January 1, 1983, according to NDOW.
Can I title a boat in Nevada by mail?
No. NDOW says these transactions must be done in person.