#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIAL NUMBERS#
#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIAL NUMBER#
#BOAT VIN LOOK UP REGISTRATION#
#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIES#

The HIN number can allow authorities to track your boat in the event of theft or vandalism.It enables manufacturers to clearly identify for boat owners the boats that are involved in a defect notification and recall campaign.The HIN has several important uses for boat owners. What Are Hull Identification Numbers Useful For? The new system, just as the VIN system in cars, allowed authorities to more easily track boats for safety purposes, to help reduce or track thefts, and to allow all vessels to be more user friendly for everyone involved by eliminating a potential wide range of formats or even number duplication that may have existed between manufacturers. As you can imagine, this made it more difficult to keep things organized and to cross reference any issues that may have related to recalls or manufacturing defects.

#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIAL NUMBERS#

Prior to 1972 manufacturers used their own serial numbers but there was no universal format. They did not become a fully required feature until 1984, which we’ll touch on below. The United States Coast Guard was tasked with creating a system that would allow for easier tracking the history of boats and accidents back in 1972. Think of these boat identification numbers like your car’s VIN.

#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIAL NUMBER#

The HIN is a 12 character serial number that uniquely identifies your boat. But, what does a Hull Identification Number mean? What Is A HIN?Īll boats manufactured or imported on or after Novemmust bear a HIN boat hull number. Well, if you have taken the Nautical Know How course you know they are Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) and that they are required.

#BOAT VIN LOOK UP SERIES#

The purpose is to help authorities identify a boat if a thief or vandals remove or damage the primary HIN on the transom.Did you ever wonder what that strange series of letters and numbers on the transom of your boat are. A duplicate secondary HIN shall be affixed somewhere on an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

The character size of each HIN must be no less than one-fourth of an inch high.

On catamarans and pontoon boats the HIN must be affixed on the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment. The starboard outboard side of the hull aft is the preferred HIN location for many manufacturers. On boats without transoms or on boats on which it would be impractical to apply to the transom, the HIN must be affixed to the starboard outboard side of the hull, aft within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of hull side, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest.

The primary HIN must be permanently affixed (so that it can be seen from outside the boat) to the starboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest.

The form shall contain a complete description of the watercraft, name and address of the owner, and any other information as required by the Department.

The owner of the watercraft shall apply to the Wyoming Game and Fish Department on a form furnished by the Department for the application/registration of State issued HINs.

How does the owner obtain a State assigned HIN?

Individuals building boats for their own use or boat owners registering a boat that does not have a manufacturer HIN must obtain a 12 character HIN from their State boating agency.

Prior to August 1, 1984, the manufacturer had the option of expressing this in the form of a model year designation. The first three characters are a MIC (Manufacturer Identification Code) assigned by the Coast Guard to the manufacturer or the person importing the boat characters four through eight are a serial number assigned by the manufacturer the last four characters indicate the month and year the boat was built, and the model year.

The regulations prescribe the format of the HIN.

It is illegal for anyone (manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or owner) to alter or remove a HIN without the express written authorization of the Commandant, U.S.

The HIN, however, is required to be shown on the State certificate of registration.

#BOAT VIN LOOK UP REGISTRATION#

The HIN is a Federal requirement a boat’s registration number is a State requirement similar to the license plate on a car.The HIN is a 12 alpha-numeric character that uniquely identifies a boat. All boats manufactured or imported on or after Novembear a HIN.Hull Identification Number (HIN) and Inspection Form

Boat vin look up