CoBoating

Free template

Boat co-ownership agreement template.

A plain-English starting point for two or more people who own one boat together. It's free with a quick sign-up: fill in the blanks together, then have a lawyer in your state review it.

What you get

  • 20 plain-English sections and 3 schedules, with fill-in blanks and tick boxes
  • A 10-page PDF to print and a Word file to edit, plus the full text to read in your account
  • Matched with a co-owner on CoBoating? Once the owner accepts your intro, you both get a draft pre-filled with that boat's details, share, buy-in and your names
Not legal advice. This template is general information, not legal advice. CoBoating is an introduction service only: we are not a law firm, we are not a party to your agreement, and we don't review, witness or enforce it. Laws on boat titles, registration, sales tax, boater education, liability and co-ownership vary by state. Before anyone signs, have a lawyer licensed in your state review it, and check with your insurer and your marina that your arrangement is covered and allowed.

Free with sign-up

Get the free template

Create a free CoBoating account with your email. No password: we'll email you a 6-digit code, then you'll land in your account with the full template and the PDF and Word downloads.

Add a lake and we'll also email you when a boat share is listed there. We may send occasional CoBoating news; unsubscribe anytime. By continuing you agree to our terms and privacy policy.

What's in the template

  1. 01

    The owners

    Who is signing: each owner's legal name, address, email for notices and phone.

  2. 02

    The boat

    Exactly what's shared: make, model, year, HIN, registration, title, engines, trailer and where it's kept.

  3. 03

    Ownership shares and buy-in

    Each owner's share of the boat, costs and time; the buy-in price and payment; survey, liens and how decisions are made.

  4. 04

    Title and registration

    Getting every owner on the title and registration, who keeps the originals, and who pays any sales tax.

  5. 05

    Insurance

    Hull and liability cover with every owner named, who pays the deductible, and how claims are handled.

  6. 06

    Marina, slip and storage

    Whose name is on the slip agreement, following marina rules on partners, and off-season storage.

  7. 07

    Fixed costs

    A yearly budget for slip, insurance, registration, storage, routine maintenance and any loan, and how it's paid.

  8. 08

    Variable costs (the user pays)

    Fuel, cleaning, trip costs and guests' damage are paid by whoever is using the boat.

  9. 09

    Maintenance and repairs

    A maintenance coordinator, spending limits that need no approval, bigger repairs, upgrades and emergencies.

  10. 10

    Scheduling

    How time is split (alternating weeks, split week, shared calendar), holidays, booking and cancellation rules.

  11. 11

    Use rules and safety

    Who may operate, guests, alcohol, safety gear, pets, overnight use, and what's not allowed.

  12. 12

    Damage, accidents and responsibility

    Who pays when something breaks on your watch, and what to do after an accident.

  13. 13

    Records and the shared account

    The joint account or expenses app, a repair reserve, and the logs and documents everyone can see.

  14. 14

    Late payment and default

    Notice, late fees, covering a missed payment, and when a partner can be required to sell.

  15. 15

    Leaving: selling your share or the boat

    Minimum term, right of first refusal, outside buyers, fair value, and selling the whole boat.

  16. 16

    Death or incapacity

    What happens to a share if an owner dies or can't manage their affairs.

  17. 17

    Disputes

    Talk first, then mediation, then arbitration or court, and keeping the boat insured meanwhile.

  18. 18

    Term

    When the agreement starts and ends, and an annual review.

  19. 19

    Changes and general terms

    Written changes only, governing law, notices, and that you're co-owners rather than business partners.

  20. 20

    Signatures

    Signature blocks for each owner, with a note on notarizing.

Schedules

  1. A

    Schedule A: Equipment and inventory

    The gear that comes with the boat, and personal items each owner keeps aboard.

  2. B

    Schedule B: Handoff checklist

    Fuel, trash, batteries, bilge, cover, keys and the log, before the next owner takes over.

  3. C

    Schedule C: Approved operators

    Everyone allowed to drive the boat, with age, boater card and insurance status.

A look inside

The other 19 sections and the schedules are in your free account.

Get the free template

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