HarbourClose Resources
Practical guidance for Canadian boat transactions.
Plain-language articles, checklists, official links, and current boating information for buyers, sellers, and marine professionals.
Guides & Articles
Start with the part of the sale in front of you.
A practical private boat-sale closing checklist
The information, decisions, documents, and delivery details worth organizing before the buyer and seller call the sale complete.
Read the checklist →Pleasure Craft Licence or vessel registration: what is the difference?
A plain-language starting point for understanding two different Transport Canada systems that can apply to Canadian boats.
Read article →Boat delivery: what should change hands?
A useful inventory for the keys, equipment, records, accounts, and onboard systems that are easy to overlook on delivery day.
Read article →What a PPSA search can—and cannot—tell you
Why the jurisdiction, searched subject, identifiers, criteria, and search date matter when reviewing registry results.
Read article →News & Official Updates
Follow the source when requirements change.
These links open the originating government publication so you can check its date, scope, and current wording.
Official guide
May 2026
2026 Safe Boating Guide
Transport Canada’s current guide to equipment, operator responsibilities, navigation rules, emergency preparation, and safe operation.
Source: Transport Canada
Ownership information
2026
Boat owner responsibilities
Federal guidance covering licensing or registration, safe use, maintenance, environmental responsibility, and end-of-life planning.
Source: Transport Canada
Safety notices
Updated as notices are issued
Current boating safety notices and recalls
A direct route to official alerts that may affect a boat, equipment, or safe operation.
Source: Transport Canada
Official Links
Useful starting points outside HarbourClose.
Transport Canada
Apply for or manage a Pleasure Craft Licence ↗
Current federal instructions for new licences, transfers, renewals, updates, duplicates, and cancellations.
Transport Canada
Vessel licensing and registration ↗
The federal starting point for pleasure craft licensing, vessel registration, marine mortgages, and vessel-history services.
Transport Canada
Buying a pleasure craft ↗
Information about hull identification, Canadian compliance notices, imported boats, licensing, and operator requirements.
Transport Canada
Boating safety notices and recalls ↗
Official boating safety alerts and product recall notices.
Tools & Reference
Need a form, a quick answer, or more detail?
The free external template remains available as a secondary do-it-yourself reference. HarbourClose also maintains detailed FAQ and Trust & Security pages.
HarbourClose resources provide general information and workflow guidance. They are not legal advice, brokerage representation, an independent vessel inspection, or a title guarantee.