“Ghost boat” question

Recover it. Report the recovery with Hull ID. If nothing comes back, it's yours.

That's how it works everywhere in the world, but LA might have some weird laws I'm not familiar with. It sounds like you've done your due diligence. The less you post about it from this point forward, the better off you'll be.

Sometimes it’s better to ask for forgiveness than permission.

If you can find the hull id # from the manufacturer (should be readily discernible, I have seen boats that were burnt to the water line and had trees growing in them and the hull ID was still intact) try to register it. If there ain't a problem, at least in Georgia, the state would register it in your name. I did a Hurricane Deck boat last year....bought the hull from a guy and lost the bill of sale. Could not find him again so I simply tried to register it online with the hull ID and about 6 weeks later they sent me a registration card and the registration numbers. Admittedly Georgia DNR and DMV is far easier to deal with than most states in the region and far easier than most in the nation but if no one has reported it stolen and its been sitting for a long period of time someone probably just abandoned it and if it is on public property you'd be doing the public a favor getting rid of the mosquito nest...

I would confirm with the LDWF that under some nature you could eventually register the boat in your name. This state is tough on boats and trailers and would rather see them rot. Wish you luck with this and would definitely be cool if it works out let us know.

Thanks for all the replies. It’s a difficult situation because it seems as if Louisiana does not want to help at all, and would rather the boat rots. I think the biggest issue is that the boat is sitting on a trailer. I have the HIN; contacted the manufacturer, and they contacted the original owner. Original owner produced no information that was helpful. Think I’m SOL but gonna keep calling and asking questions until someone gives me a lead

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Thanks for all the replies. It’s a difficult situation because it seems as if Louisiana does not want to help at all, and would rather the boat rots. I think the biggest issue is that the boat is sitting on a trailer. I have the HIN; contacted the manufacturer, and they contacted the original owner. Original owner produced no information that was helpful. Think I’m SOL but gonna keep calling and asking questions until someone gives me a lead

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In Georgia, New Mexico, Washington State and Oregon you can get a home made trailer registration for a trailer that you have zero proof of purchase for even if it has a VIN from a manufacturer. If it has a VIN they will make certain it is not reported stolen. If there is no VIN but it is obviously factory built it makes no difference they will still issue a home made trailer registration and tag in those 4 states....I know first hand because I have done it in all 4, multiple times in Georgia. All they want is the revenue for the tag and in Georgia the county wants the information for personal property taxes (In Oregon and Washington as well). They only go through the motions of making certain it is not stolen and they will take your word for it that there is VIN on the trailer that you can find....they will look but they won't look hard. Trailer axles also have a serial number on them which is used to identify ownership but again the states seldom go through much pain all they want is the revenue that comes from registering.

All that said I seldom tag a trailer of any sort any longer. In fact of the 5 trailers I currently own, 2 boat, one flatbed utility, one dump and one sawmill trailer. only one, the flatbed utility, has a "current" tag, a permanent tag from New Mexico which is no longer valid since I am no longer a resident but no one knows that and no one knows I know it LOL. Also have not had a tag on our RV (Class C Motorhome) in over 7 years. I just do not see the point. In 59 years I have seldom had a trailer with a tag on it and have never been ticketed for it....I don't think they are actually serious about it.