How to Lookup a Boat Hull ID Number: Hull Identification Number (HIN) – Boat ID Numbers

What is a Hull Identification Number (HIN)?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique 12-character identifier required by the United States Coast Guard for all boats built after November 1, 1972. The HIN is used to track boats and help prevent fraud and theft. The HIN is usually located on the transom, on the right side of the boat, within two inches of the top of the transom, or on the outboard side of the hull, aft of the stern. If the transom is not practical to use or affix the HIN, it may be affixed to the starboard (right) outboard side of the hull, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. The HIN may also be affixed to catamarans and pontoon boats with replaceable hulls; in this case, it is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard (right) hull attachment.

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Is Hull ID the Same as a Car’s VIN?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique 12-character code required by the U.S. Coast Guard for all boats built after November 1, 1972. The HIN is used to help identify a boat if it is lost or stolen, and can also be used to help determine if a boat has been properly registered.

 

Do I Need to Have a HIN on My Boat?

If you’re buying or selling a boat, you’ll need to have a Hull Identification Number (HIN) in order to complete the transaction. The HIN is used to uniquely identify a particular vessel and is required by law in many countries. In the United States, the HIN is used for boat registration purposes.

A HIN is not the same as a State registration number, which is typically used for identification purposes only. You may need a HIN to display your boat’s bow number, which is required in some states.

If you’re unsure whether or not you need a HIN on your boat, check with your local boating authorities or consult your vessel’s documentation.

 

Understanding the Hull Identification Number

The Hull Identification Number, or HIN, is a unique 12-character identifier that is required by the U.S. Coast Guard for all boats. The HIN is used to track boats and help prevent fraud and theft. The number is typically printed on the transom of the boat, on the right side, within two inches of the top, and within one foot of the stern. If your boat does not have a transom, the HIN can be affixed to the outboard side of the hull, aft, within one foot of the stern. For catamarans and pontoon boats with replaceable hulls, the HIN is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam, within one foot of the starboard (right) hull attachment.

 

How Do I Get a Hull Identification Number (HIN)

If your boat was built after November 1, 1972, it should have a unique 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN). This number is required by law and is used to help identify your vessel if it is lost or stolen.

The HIN is usually located on the transom, on the right side, within two inches of the top, and within one foot of the stern. It may also be located on the outboard side of the hull, aft, within one foot of the stern. On catamarans and pontoon boats which have replaceable hulls, the HIN is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam, within one foot of the starboard (right) hull attachment.

If you cannot find your HIN or if it appears to be missing or tampered with, you should contact your local Coast Guard office or marina for assistance.

 

What Can a HIN Tell Me About a Boat?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a required document for boats 1984 and newer. It is located on the back of the boat, in the upper right corner, or under the swim platform. The HIN must follow the Federal regulations specified in the image below.

The HIN can tell you several things about a boat:

-The year it was manufactured

-The country in which it was manufactured

-The manufacturer’s identity

 

How Do I Find My Boat’s Hull ID?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique 12-character code assigned to every boat built after November 1, 1972. The HIN is required by law in the United States, and helps to identify a particular vessel.

The HIN is typically found on the transom (stern) of the boat, or on the starboard (right) outboard side of the hull, aft of the stern. On pontoon boats, the HIN is usually affixed to the aft crossbeam.

If you’re having trouble finding your boat’s HIN, you can contact your local Coast Guard office or marina for assistance.

 

Can I Look up a Boat by Hull Number?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique 12-digit number assigned to every boat. The HIN is used to identify the manufacturer, model, and year of a boat, and can be used to track ownership history.

To lookup a boat by hull number, you will need to find the HIN for the vessel. The HIN is usually located on the stern of the boat, on the port (left) side. It may also be located on other parts of the hull, such as on the transom or deck. Once you have found the HIN, you can use it to look up information about the vessel online.

 

What are Hull Identification Numbers Useful For?

Hull Identification Numbers are used to uniquely identify a boat. They are required by law to be affixed to the transom, outboard side of the hull, and aft crossbeam.

 

How to Permanently Affix State Assigned Hull Identification Number (HIN) to My Boat?

1. Locate the HIN on the boat. The HIN is usually stamped onto a metal plate or etched into the boat’s hull. It is often riveted to the boat or attached to a metal plate.

2. Make sure that the HIN on the boat matches the one on the title.

3. Contact a Hull Identification Number (HIN) to launch your watercraft.