Boats for Sale in Oklahoma

Titles and registration through Service Oklahoma

Boats on Oklahoma waters must be titled, registered and taxed within 30 days of ownership. Registrations renew every one or three years, and the current registration must be in the boat while it's in use. Boats and outboard motors are registered separately.

These need title and registration:

• motorized boats
• canoes, kayaks and paddleboats powered by anything other than human power
• outboard motors over 10 hp

Human-powered canoes, kayaks and paddleboats are exempt, as are visiting nonresident boats registered elsewhere that stay 60 days or less.

HIN verification on every sale

Since June 2000, the seller must provide a notarized statement that the HIN or motor serial number matches the ownership documents on every transfer. You can meet this in one of three ways:

• an Oklahoma title carrying the serial confirmation statement
• form BM-10, completed by the seller
• an inspection by a licensed operator on the back of form BM-26

To title, you'll need form BM-26 and ownership documents, such as a properly assigned and notarized Oklahoma title, or a notarized MSO for a new boat. Boats bought from an Oklahoma dealer need a tax stamp on the application.

Boater education

Anyone aged 12 to 15 who operates a boat with a motor over 10 hp, a sailboat 16 feet or longer or a PWC must complete a NASBLA-approved course and carry the card. In a motorboat or sailboat, they must also have an adult 18 or older aboard who can take control. On a PWC, they need visual supervision from an adult 18 or older within 500 yards. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol offers a free six-hour classroom course.

Where to boat

Grand Lake O' the Cherokees in the northeast, Lake Texoma on the Texas line and Lake Eufaula in the east draw the biggest crowds. Keystone and Skiatook are close to Tulsa. Tenkiller and Broken Bow lie farther east.

Popular boats

Bass boats, pontoons, wake boats and cruisers, plus striper boats on Texoma.

Buying tips for Oklahoma

Remember there are two registrations if the outboard is over 10 hp. Get the BM-10 or a title with the serial confirmation from the seller, and get to Service Oklahoma within 30 days.

The Oklahoma HIN statement isn't optional, so ask the seller to fill in form BM-10 at the sale or bring a title with the serial confirmation. Remember the outboard over 10 hp has its own paperwork. For boats from Texoma or Grand Lake, look at the lower unit and check that the motor's serial matches what's written on the motor title.

Questions for an Oklahoma seller: Will you complete form BM-10, or does the title carry the serial confirmation? Is the outboard titled separately, and does its serial number match? Was the boat bought from an Oklahoma dealer, and is there a tax stamp? Who will be driving, and do any drivers aged 12 to 15 have their card? Keep copies of every form before you hand them in.