Who has legal rights to the boat?

All of that He gave.....stuff don't apply. "Mike has the Title" does not apply It's Phil's boat and responsibility until the title is transferred. Physical possession of the title is different from "Ownership" What you might have is an oral contract which would be contingent on the actual transfer of title. Until then it's Phil's boat and responsibility. He can't give the boat to Charles, or anybody after he accepted money from Mike! Phil would be responsible for slip rent, and or recovery cost. Warren might be liable for "rent" if he agreed to pay rent to live on the boat.

Usually whoever a name is on the title is official owner. But that person can give permission to others to use it, and in this case the final two would be responsible for current maintenance and required fees. Although holder if title is responsible for registration and insurance; so it would be to his benefit to get his name off the title, as he would still also be the one held liable if any accident happens.

If the contract for sale was complete ( the money was paid in full) the buyer has rights to the boat. But the seller, Phil, retains liability for the property as long as it remains titled to him. Thus, any expense incurred by the boat until title transfers remains the seller, Phil, responsibility to pay, unless someone else directly caused the expense (contracted for slip rent independently of the boat owner),

Dunnu!