Legal Question in Admiralty Law in Florida

Re: can i sell a boat????

The Answer is yes, provided you are a licensed YACHT BROKER under Florida Chapter 326, and you are selling a boat over 32 feet and under 300 tons, and you comply with the trust account requirements below.....

326.002 Definitions.--As used in ss. 326.001-326.006, the term:

(1) "Broker" means a person who, for or in expectation of compensation: sells, offers, or negotiates to sell; buys, offers, or negotiates to buy; solicits or obtains listings of; or negotiates the purchase, sale, or exchange of, yachts for other persons.

(4) "Yacht" means any vessel which is propelled by sail or machinery in the water which exceeds 32 feet in length, and which weighs less than 300 gross tons.

326.005 Escrow depository, closing transactions.--

(1) A broker shall place any funds received pursuant to a transaction into a trust account in a savings and loan association, bank, trust company, or other financial institution located in this state having a net worth in excess of $5 million until he or she disburses such funds. A separate record shall be maintained of all such moneys received and the disposition thereof.

(2) At the closing of a transaction in which title to a yacht is transferred, a broker shall provide the seller and purchaser with an itemized closing statement, including the selling price and all charges and credits, a description of any yachts exchanged, and the amount of any consideration. If the transaction is closed through escrow and the escrow holder renders a closing statement which reveals such information, that shall be deemed compliance with this subsection on the part of the licensed broker.

(3) A broker who intentionally fails to comply with the provisions of this section concerning the establishment of a trust account, deposits of funds into a trust account, and withdrawal therefrom, commits a felony of the third degree, punishable as provided in s. 775.082, s. 775.083, or s. 775.084. The failure to establish a trust account or to place funds therein as required in this section is prima facie evidence of an intentional and purposeful violation of this section.

History.--ss. 5, 7, ch. 88-282; s. 5, ch. 89-128; s. 4, ch. 91-429; s. 448, ch. 95-148.