Document background
The Watercraft Bill of Sale is an essential legal instrument used in the Netherlands for documenting the sale and transfer of ownership of vessels, ranging from small pleasure craft to larger commercial vessels. This document is required whenever a boat or watercraft changes ownership, whether through private sale or commercial transaction. It serves multiple purposes: providing proof of ownership transfer, documenting the vessel's specifications and condition, establishing the terms of sale, and meeting legal requirements for vessel registration under Dutch law. The document must comply with the Dutch Civil Code (Burgerlijk Wetboek), particularly Books 7 and 8, and may need to meet additional requirements depending on the vessel's size and intended use. For vessels over 24 meters, additional registration requirements apply through the Dutch Ship Register (Kadaster). The document becomes particularly important for insurance purposes, financing arrangements, and future resale of the vessel.
