Where To Find The Hin Or Official Number
When you do your search, youll be asked for the hull identification number or official number. These are unique identifiers for boats or other vessels.
Hull identifier number
Most boats and watercraft under 24 metres will have a HIN attached or stamped into the hull or back. It’s usually 14 characters and identifies the country, manufacturer, serial number and date it was built.
You might also consider requesting the seller to show you the registration documents to make sure the HIN listed there matches the one on the boat.
Official number
If the type of watercraft you’re searching for is over 24 metres, such as a yacht or a ship, it may have an official number. This is a unique 6 digit identifier.
If the boat doesn’t have a HIN or official number
If the boat doesn’t have a HIN you may need to get a HIN from a Boatcode provider, or speak to the seller about getting one. You can contact your state maritime authority for more information about registering a boat or getting a HIN.
If it doesnt have a HIN or official number, you may want to do a search against the person or organisation selling it. To find out how to do this, see Individual search or Organisation search.
Play The Numbers Game:
Did you ever wonder what that strange series of letters and numbers on the transom of your boat are. Well, if you have taken the Nautical Know How course you know they are Hull Identification Numbers and that they are required. But, what does a Hull Identification Number mean?
All boats manufactured or imported on or after November 1, 1972 must bear a HIN boat hull number. The HIN is a 12 character serial number that uniquely identifies your boat. Think of these boat identification numbers like your cars VIN.
What Are Hull Identification Numbers Useful For?
The HIN has an important safety purpose. It enables manufacturers to clearly identify for boat owners the boats that are involved in a defect notification and recall campaign. A HIN hull number is not the same as a State registration number, which may be required to be displayed on the bow of your boat. The HIN is a Federal requirement your boats registration number is a State requirement similar to the license plate on your car. The HIN, however, is required to be shown on the State certificate of registration.
Understanding A Boat Serial Number:
*Key to Month of Model Year
Figure 1 HIN Formats Before August 1, 1984
Figure 2 HIN Format After August 1, 1984
The Coast Guard maintains a searchable database of MICs if you want to perform a boat hull ID lookup.
Confusion Over Model Years Especially On Outboard Engines Can Frustrate Buyers Here’s How To Find That Info On The Products Themselves
General Motors introduced planned obsolescence in the 1920s as a way of discerning one model year from another, in order to convince the public that buying the latest model car was fashionable, if not exactly necessary. The tradition set by GM survives today. Eventually, consumers began to rely on the model-year change, which usually happened in the fall, to assure that they were getting the latest and greatest. Car buyers still eagerly anticipate the newest technology, and dealers often offer deep discounts to move out last year’s models.
Manufacturers of other big-ticket items, such as boats and outboards, followed suit, hoping to convince buyers that the newer the boat, the better the boat. For years, U.S. Coast Guard regulations required boat manufacturers to use August 1 of the previous year as the cutoff date for the next model year. For example, a boat built in September 2011 could be called a 2012 model, but if it was built in July, it had to be sold as a 2011.
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Additional Important Information About Hull Ids
The HIN is the nautical equivalent of the Vehicle Identification Number of a car.
It is like a serial number that reflects on all paperwork, like the certificate of manufacture, registration, title, or legal documents.
For a boat owner lookup by HULL number, anyone can use online services or contact local authorities.
If you have a boat, note down your boats HIN and keep it with you. Dont place it in the boat, as youll need it if your boat goes adrift, gets stolen, or a warranty issue occurs.
If you have a custom boat or a handmade vessel, you can apply for your HIN by contacting the Department of Vehicle Regulation.
How Do I Find My Hull Number
While the hull number sequence has changed over the years, the following will help to “De-Mystify” what all those numbers mean on the upper right hand side of the transom.
The hull number is part of the Hull Identification Number which is molded into the transom. The HIN is located on the outside of the stern in the upper starboard corner. In many states the HIN is on your title.
Note: The following applies to HINs after August 1, 1984. For more info about numbers prior to this date, see:
Example HIN:
PCW=The U.S. Coast Guard identity for Precision Boat Works.21=Model or Size of Precision boat302=Actual number for the boat, or number of hulls produced to that date B=Month of hull lamination where A=January, B=February, C=March, etc.3=Year of lamination.04=Model year
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Check Boat Sales With Vessel Documentation Search By Hull Number
You are contemplating buying a boat, and want to know more details about its history. Running a background check on any vessel is very important, as it can throw up details about the boats past life that would otherwise have remained hidden. In order to conduct this check in the most effective manner, you should consider a vessel documentation search by hull number. This is a very simple way of learning more about a vessel and will allow you to discover everything about the boat in a very short time. If you are looking for help with conducting a vessel search, then we can give you a few tips about the best way to manage this type of investigation.
How To Find Boat Owner By Registration Number
- Austin and Corpus Christi/Flour Bluff, Texas
- Posts:
WavRidr359His contract with the Broker more than likely holds him accountable for the commission even if the boat is sold privately.WavRidr359His contract with the Broker more than likely holds him accountable for the commission even if the boat is sold privately.“His contract with the Broker?”PartheryThe boat may already have been sold. POP isn’t always real quick about removing ads.SaltyGIn Florida, if you have the Hull number, you can pull up the owner online at this link:It works for automotive and boats. Enter the HIN or VIN number and it will give you the owner and county usually. Then you can use the county property appraiser site to get address usually to contact the owner. But you need to be able to drive by the boat and get the HULL number on the back.You can try the registration numbers, but I dont think that will pull it up, but you can try.attempting to cut them out from the get-go when they’ve clearly done their job by reaching you with the advertising that they spent time and money on…I think that’s low.WalkingTheDocksThe technical term for it is “stealing”.NorthShore44
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How To Decode A Boat Hull Identification Number
Example HIN ABC12345B612
ABC Manufacturer Identification Code
12345 Manufacturers Serial Number
B6 Manufacture date where the first digit represents the month and the second digit represent the last digit of the year.
A=Jan, B=Feb, C=Mar, D=Apr, E=May, F=Jun, G=Jul, H=Aug, I-Sep, J=Oct, K=Nov, L=Dec
12 Last 2 digits of the model year
How Do You Find The Owner Of A Boat
First, it is important to note that boats, marinas, and docks are private property and trespassing is illegal.
If you are just curious about the type or model of boat, call a dealer or broker who deals with that type of boat. It is their job to answer questions and they will be more than happy to help.
Otherwise, it is best to wait until the owner is present and strike up a conversation.
If the boat is at a marina, you can ask the patrons or employees, and chances are someone will know to whom the boat belongs. For boats at private docks, never approach the property owner from the water unless there has been an accident or other emergency.
If you find a lost boat, there has been property damage, or you suspect a boat is stolen it is best to alert the authorities.
Smugglers often use stolen boats and, in the U.S., you never know if someone is armed. If you want to find the owner yourself, then you can try an online search of the HIN. You can also try the state office responsible for issuing registration numbers, but they are unlikely to give out personal contact information.
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Where Is The Hin Located
The locations on the boat where the primary HIN is located include the following
- Boats with transoms: the HIN is placed on the starboard outboard side about 2 in. of the lowest among the transom, hull/deck joint, and gunwale.
- Boats without transoms: the HIN is found on the starboard outboard side in the aft, within 1 ft. of the stern, and 2 in. of lowest among the transom, hull/deck joint, and gunwale.
- Pontoon boats and catamarans with easily replaceable hulls: the HIN is placed in the aft crossbeam within 1 ft. from the hull attachment on the starboard.
Usually, the HIN should be placed near the starboard outboard side. Not exceeding 2 in. from the hull/deck joint, transom, or gunwale, whichever is lowest for the boat.
This is particularly true if any accessory, like the rails, will likely obscure the HIN.
As for the secondary HIN, it should be kept unexposed inside the boat. It can also be kept under a hardware item or fitting.
If the primary HIN is not found, the manufacturer can help find the secondary HN, though the Coast Guard prefers the usage of the original HIN.
Tips For Finding A Boat Owner By Hull #
- Ask the marina owner and neighboring boat owners if they know who owns the boat. If they do not know, perhaps they can pass along a message for you.
- Post a notice at the site where the boat is located, stating that you are searching for the owner of a specific boat. In addition to your contact information, you may wish to include a picture of the boat.
- Use Facebook lost and found groups
- Enter the name of the boat into an Internet search engine like Google to see if there is a website that mentions the boat and its owner. This is a good way to track an owner of a boat that is linked to a business with its own website.
- Post an ad with a picture of the boat in the local newspaper or on a website with a Lost and Found section.
- Visit the Vessel Registration of your State or province
- Contact the secretary of state
Since states require the HIN to appear on registration certificates, you can find the boats owner by purchasing a boat history report online and paying with a credit card. Not all States will disclose this information so it is not guaranteed in the Boat Alert report.
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How To Permanently Affix State Assigned Hull Identification Number To My Boat
State and Federal regulations require you to permanently affix this number in two places. The primary hull identification number in watercraft with transoms shall be affixed to the starboard outboard side within 2 inches of the top of transom, gunwale, or hull deck joint, whichever is lowest. On vessels without transoms or impractical to use transom, to the starboard outboard side of hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within 2 inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull deck joint, whichever is lowest. On catamarans and pontoon boats with replaceable hulls, affix the hull identification number to the aft crossbeam, within 1 foot of the starboard hull attachment. Do not alter existing Hull ID numbers newly assigned numbers by the Department should be attached above existing Hull ID number.
The duplicate hull identification number shall be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the vessel or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.
- Each hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, molded, bonded, or otherwise permanently affixed to the watercraft so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious.
- Use of a plate must be fastened so that removal would cause scarring or damage to surrounding hull area.
- Hull identification number characters must be no less than 1/4 inch in height and not attached to any removable part.
Why Is The Hull Number Important
Items may change on each model of boat due to improvements, new suppliers, or unavailability of older parts. These changes might happen in the middle of the model year. The hull number is a unique, sequential serial number. When you call the factory to order parts or ask a question, they may ask for your hull number. This is the only way they can identify what is exactly on your particular boat.
Sails shipped with new boats from the factory come with hull number digits in the sail bag which can be placed on the sail. You may be able to just look at the sail to see your hull number, although not all owners have applied the numbers to the sail. Also, used sails may have different numbers. It is always best to check the HIN on the transom.
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Where Do I Look For The Hull Identification Number
The hull identification number on all boats built after November 1, 1972 is permanently affixed to the rear of the transom usually on the upper right corner. It is required by federal law and must appear on the registration application.
The HIN consists of 12 letters and numerals at least one-quarter inch tall that indicate the manufacturer, hull serial numbers and/or letters, and model year and/or month.
HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER FORMATS FOR BOATS AFTER AUGUST 1,1984
Key to Month of Production of Hull Identification Format
How To Do A Boat Search
You don’t have to have a PPSR account to do a boat search. However, if you do have one you can log into your account before you start.
To do a PPSR watercraft search, go to the PPSR watercraft search page, then:
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Why Do A Ppsr Boat Search
It’s a good idea to always check the PPSR before you buy a boat or other types of watercraft.
When you do a search, it will tell you if the boat you’re about to buy has a security interest registered against it meaning there could be money owing on it. If you buy a boat with money owing and the seller stops making repayments, the person who is owed the debt, , may be able to repossess the boat from you.
Youll also get a search certificate which you can use as a legal record of your results.
Spring: Boat Dumping Season
Smugglers often use stolen boats and, in the U.S., you never know if someone is armed. If you want to find the owner yourself, then you can try an online search of the HIN. You can also try the state office responsible for issuing registration numbers, but they are unlikely to give out personal contact information.
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Vessels Not Required To Be Registered
The following vessels may be registered at the owners option:
- Vessels propelled solely by oars or paddles.
- Sailboats 8 feet or less in length without motors.
- A public vessel of the United States, another state, or subdivision of another state.
- A ships lifeboat .
- A vessel of another country temporarily using the waters of this state.
- A vessel bearing an assigned number in full force, which has been issued pursuant to federal law or a federally approved number system of another state, provided it has not changed its state of principal use and has not been used within this state for a period in excess of 90 consecutive days.
- Nonmotorized surfboards over 8 feet in length, propelled by sail, that requires the operator to hold the mast upright.
- A floating, stationary residential dwelling not designed to have power of its own, which is dependent for utilities to a source on shore, and has a permanent sewage hookup on shore.
- A vessel not using or on the water of this state.
- Racing vessels brought into this state exclusively for racing purposes and remaining for less than 90 days, providing the state of origin also exempts such vessels.
