Hurricane Ike and Sea Do

[sdl22]

Question,,

My friend offered to me a jet ski which washed up on his land due to hurricane Ike.. He has no mechanical experince so he offered it to me to fix and keep. What are the proper ways to be sure the owner is not looking for it and that I can resell after I am done playing with it. If the original owner is looking for it, I would like to find him before I sink money into it... Any suggestions would be helpful...

 

[Beer Thirty]

Is there any registration numbers on it? write down the numbers and head to the DMV.

Im sure a jetski is the last thing on someones mind after a terrible storm like that but you could just make someones day. although the original owners insurance company has probably replaced it by now. however, making efforts to return it to the rightful owner is the right way to go about it first.

 

[quality time]

A few years ago I ended up with a standup 440 that needed alot of work. Let's just say it had a scratched off VIN # and no paperwork. It was pretty much useless since I coudn't get it registered or even sell it. I ended up giving it away. I don't know if you will be able to do anything "legal" with it without alot of hassle. Just my experience.

 

[douglee25]

The HIN is located on the right rear corner of the ski. The last two digits are the year. Take the HIN to your DMV and they should be able to contact the owner.

Doug

 

[sdl22]

Thanks,, I will call the DMV once I get the tag # off the ski.... I definitly want to return it to the rightfull owner before I get my hands on it.....

 

[dpvandy01]

A few years ago I ended up with a standup 440 that needed alot of work. Let's just say it had a scratched off VIN # and no paperwork. It was pretty much useless since I coudn't get it registered or even sell it. I ended up giving it away. I don't know if you will be able to do anything "legal" with it without alot of hassle. Just my experience.

What about getting it declared as a "Salvage Title"?

 

[quality time]

I actually had an "illegal" workaround. I found a guy that would sell me the vin plate and title from a scrapped hull. In the end it was more work than I wanted to do to get it running.

 

[fwebster]

Don't cut corners; its not worth the risk.........I bet Christmas looks different when observed thru steel bars.

Get the HIN # and report the vessel to the local police as abandoned on your property, and do it immediately. They don't want it and you sure don't need to get caught with it there........and aggressive DA can stretch this to be converting and concealing assets and the possession of stolen property. Report it and forget it for the legal amount of time, then aply for an abandoned vehicle title. Every state is different, but here if you advertise for 3 successive weeks in a local newspaper you can claim the asset yourself if no one comes forward with proof of ownership. That way, you own it free and clear of all legal entanglements for the cost of 3 ads in the local paper.

It also allows you to enjoy Christmas at home instead of in the big house! Just find out how to do it where you are.

 

[mistercomputerman]

Well said, Frank.