A Jet Ski Bill of Sale (more broadly, a Personal Watercraft Bill of Sale) is a legal document that records the transfer of ownership of a personal watercraft (PWC) from the seller to the buyer. "Jet Ski" is actually a brand name owned by Kawasaki; the generic term for these vessels is personal watercraft, which also includes Sea-Doo (manufactured by BRP/Bombardier) and WaveRunner (manufactured by Yamaha). PWCs are classified as Class A inboard motorboats under United States Coast Guard (USCG) regulations and are subject to the same federal boating laws and safety requirements as other motorized vessels.

Personal watercraft are titled and registered at the state level, typically through the state's department of natural resources, marine patrol, or department of motor vehicles. Every PWC manufactured after November 1972 must have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) permanently affixed to the hull in compliance with 33 C.F.R. Part 181. The HIN is the primary identifier for title verification, registration, and theft prevention. Most states require PWCs to be titled, and the bill of sale is a prerequisite for title transfer.

State PWC-specific regulations have been widely adopted following the model act proposed by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). These regulations typically establish minimum operator age requirements (commonly 14-16 years with a boating safety certificate), prohibit operation during nighttime hours, require engine cutoff switches (lanyard kill switches), and mandate minimum distance-from-shore and distance-from-other-vessels requirements. The bill of sale documents the ownership transfer and supports the registration process necessary for legal PWC operation.

A private individual is selling a used jet ski, Sea-Doo, or WaveRunner and needs documentation to transfer the title and registration to the buyer through the state's boating authority. A buyer is purchasing a used PWC and needs a bill of sale for the state title transfer and registration process, which also serves as the basis for sales tax calculation.

A PWC owner is trading their watercraft to a marine dealer and needs documentation of the transaction for title transfer and any applicable sales tax credit on the replacement purchase. A person is buying a PWC with a trailer, and the bill of sale needs to document the transfer of both the watercraft and the trailer (which may have a separate title).

An estate executor is selling a deceased person's PWC as part of estate administration and needs documentation for the probate court and title transfer. A PWC owner is donating their watercraft to a qualified charity and needs a bill of sale documenting the transfer and fair market value for the charitable contribution deduction.

A marine lender is financing the purchase of a PWC and requires a bill of sale documenting the purchase price, vessel details, and transaction terms before recording a lien on the title.

The seller's and buyer's full legal names, addresses, and contact information must be stated. Both parties should provide identification (driver's license numbers) as typically required by state boating authorities for title transfer.

The PWC description must include the make (Kawasaki Jet Ski, Sea-Doo, Yamaha WaveRunner, etc.), model, year of manufacture, Hull Identification Number (HIN), engine type, engine displacement or horsepower, color, and current registration number and state. The HIN must match the title certificate and the physical number on the hull. For supercharged models, the specific engine configuration should be noted as it significantly affects value.

Trailer information, if a trailer is included in the sale, must be documented separately with the trailer's make, model, year, VIN, and license plate number. The trailer may have its own title that must also be transferred.

The purchase price and payment method must be stated. If the sale includes accessories (covers, dock lines, fenders, safety equipment, dry bags), they should be itemized. The condition of the PWC should be described, including engine hours, hull condition, impeller condition, battery age, and any known mechanical issues. Most private PWC sales are as-is, and appropriate warranty disclaimers should be included.

The seller should represent that they are the legal owner and that the PWC is free of liens and encumbrances. The seller should provide a clear title at the time of sale. Both parties must sign and date the document. Some states require notarization for watercraft title transfers.

The seller should provide the buyer with the signed title certificate, bill of sale, current registration, owner's manual, maintenance records, and safety equipment (life jackets, fire extinguisher, sound-producing device) required by USCG regulations for operation.