Free boat hull identification number validation check.
- The company I purchased the boat and trailer from is saying it isnt possible. But hey, were all human and we all make mistakes and this very well could be a typo with only one number or one letter by the person entering the information into the computer on either end.
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Considering a boat purchase? Validate the VIN / HIN number here to ensure details and documentation of the boat are valid! Phone: 865-590-9090 Fax: 928-441-0580 Email: contact@myboatpro.com.
⚫Free resource with no obligation.
⚫Must-have for buyers and lenders.
⚫Covers ski-boats to mega-yachts.
⚫Check any HIN for composition.
⚫Compares HIN to federal standards.
⚫Don't buy a boat without checking.
⚫No account or user setup required.
⚫Determine how HINs are structured.
Also visit our free vessel documentation and boat manufacturer search lookup pages.
About Boat Hull Identification Numbers
How to determine whether a boat hull identification number is valid.
A boat hull identification number, which is commonly referred to as a HIN or hull ID, serves the same basic purpose as a vehicle serial number. It not only provides a unique vessel identifier, but facilitates tracking of manufacturer defects for recall purposes. The importance of showing this correctly on all registration and title documents can not be overstated. Enforcement officials do not take kindly to mismatched and incorrect HIN numbers when it comes to a boarding or inspection. There are also numerous other issues surrounding boat identification numbers of which any interested party should be keenly aware.
On November 1, 1972 the federal government enacted regulations which require a standardized hull number format on any boat that is manufactured for domestic consumption. The number must be 12 characters long and arranged in such a way that it shows the manufacturer's code, a production number, and the production date or model year. HINs may also contain optional prefixes and suffixes which are separated from the underlying number by dashes. This is supplemental data which may include the country where built or additional specifications. These are not considered as part of the actual hull ID number.
The above requirements pertain to hull identification numbers that have been assigned by registered manufacturers. There are however circumstances where each state and the U.S. Coast Guard will assign hull numbers directly to an applicant. This includes home built vessels, those manufactured prior to November 1, 1972, and boats which have been brought in from foreign countries which do not subscribe to our HIN standards. State issued hull numbers will begin with their standard registration prefix followed by the letter 'Z'. Coast Guard issued hull identification numbers are prefixed by 'USZ'.
Hull identification numbers are typically located on the upper right hand part of the transom or aft starboard side in the case of double ended vessels. On fiberglass boats, they are molded right into the hull itself by the manufacturer. State or Coast Guard assigned numbers may be affixed by a decal or plate. Beginning with August 1, 1984, manufacturers were also required to affix a hidden identification number to some unexposed location on the interior of a boat. Most surveyors and law enforcement officials will know where to look on specific models.
One of the most critical issues in dealing with hull identification numbers is knowing how to recognize a HIN which has been changed, altered, or obliterated. Any evidence of tampering whatsoever in this regard should raise an immediate red flag and warrant further investigation. Interested parties should also never rely on registration or title documents without implementing an actual inspection to make sure the HIN on these documents matches that which is actually affixed to the vessel. Another important safeguard is to simply verify that a hull number is structured properly to coincide with the vessel's year and model. The free hull number check resource shown above is designed for that purpose.
Visit the NASBLA website for a complete detailed guide of all hull identification number laws, rules, and regulations. If you need professional assistance with hull number issues, we also suggest getting a free quotation from our full-service vessel titling associate.
Know Before You Buy
Check if your watercraft has been:
Hurricane Sandy resulted in over $650 million in damages to recreational boats.
Hurricane damaged boats are often sold with a clean title.
Most states do not recognize salvage and damaged titles for boats. Therefore, storm damaged boats are auctioned off to be restored and re-sold to unknowing individuals, with clean titles. These boats may have spent significant time submerged under salt water resulting in detrimental damage that could result in loss later on. Boat History Report® is the only way to know the real truth about the boat, as once repaired- these boats can look better than new to an unsuspecting buyer.
Know when a boat has been in an accident.
Our extensive database searches hundreds of thousands of accident records.
Use Boat History Report® to insure that you don't buy a boat that has been damaged in an accident and then repaired. Boats that have been severely damaged have a low resale value and may not be safe for you and your family.
Lowe Boat Serial Number Lookup 411
Boats frequently run aground due to a miscalculation of the water's depth.
Running aground can be one of the most costly problems a boat can endure.
Not only can running aground cause hidden structural damage to the boat, if environmental damage was caused, the new owner could be responsible for the previous owners negligence, as these fines stay with the boat and not the reckless boater. Don't put yourself at risk - Boat History Report® can help you avoid purchasing a boat that has run aground.
Boats are deemed a total loss when the cost to repair is greater than a set percentage of the boat’s value.
Unlike cars, boats have no uniform salvage titling law.
These boats are usually repaired and resold with clean titles, without disclosing previous total loss events. Boat History Report® helps uncover events like these in a boat’s history.
Many boats manufactured often contain dangerous, potentially fatal flaws. Is your boat safe?
Open (unfixed) safety recalls can result in serious injury and sometimes death.
Due to safety concerns, manufacturers report recalls every month; however, numerous flawed boats remain in the marketplace. Check our national database to see if your boat has been issued a safety recall as part of your report from Boat History Report®.
Sinkings and flooding occur more frequently than you may realize.
Boats that have been submerged sustain damage that can take months to surface.
Not only are boats swamped or capsized while in use, but many sink dockside as a result of heavy rains, storm surge, faulty drains or poor sealing thru-hull fittings. The damage is not noticeable immediately, but as corrosion sets in, costly issues will continue to surface. Let Boat History Report® help save you from a boat that could jeopardize your families safety while costing you thousands of dollars to repair.
Boats are constantly seized by U.S. Customs due to illegal activities.
Boat dealers and yacht brokers are not required to report seizure information to customers.
Many times these boats incur serious damage during the seizing activity. Don't unknowingly buy one of these damaged boats - Run a report from Boat History Report® before you buy.
In addition to cosmetic damage, boat fires can also cause hidden structural damage.
Lowe Boat Serial Number Lookup By Name
Due to skilled fiberglass work, boats involved in fires may appear undamaged to the naked eye.
Once the cosmetic issues are fixed you may never know a fire had occurred. That’s what Boat History Report® is for!
Avoid buying a boat that has been in a collision and then cosmetically repaired.
Similar to cars, boats can sustain structural damage that cannot be seen by the naked eye.
Collisions cause structural damage that can jeopardize safety and will lower the resale value of the boat. Don’t lose thousands by purchasing a damaged boat- run a Boat History Report® and be informed.
The HIN (Hull Identification Number)
The Hull Identification Number (HIN) serves as the boat’s unique identifier, similar to the VIN of a car. If the dealer or broker listing the boat has not provided you with a report from Boat History Report®, ask them to provide you with the boat’s HIN so that you can run your own.
The HIN may be found on the back of the boat in the uppermost right corner or under the swim platform. Also, the HIN may be stated on the title, registration, and insurance documents. For boats 1984 and newer, Federal regulations mandate the HIN must follow the format in the image below. For additional HIN formats and a more detailed explanation, be sure to check out our HIN Troubleshooting Guide.