What is a Hull Identification Number?

What is a Hull Identification Number used for?

The Hull Identification Number makes it easy to look up a boat’s history by hull number. The HIN has information you need to register your boat with your state department of motor vehicles, along with your boat title You also need a Hull ID to insure your vessel because it helps confirm the manufacturer, model, and date of manufacture.

How to read a Hull Identification Number

The first three letters of the HIN indicate the manufacturer of the boat. This Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) is dictated by the U.S. Coast Guard. The next six characters are the boat’s unique serial number, which may contain a combination of numbers and letters.

In an example from Boat Ed, the 12-digit Hull Identification Number "ABC67689B606" breaks down as:

Some letters, such as “I,” “O,” and “Q” are omitted because of their similarity to other letters and numbers, which may make it more difficult to read the HIN.

How is a Hull ID useful?

The HIN is central to all respective boating transactions, including state registrations, titling, and USCG vessel documentation. Here are several ways a HIN can be helpful:

• Fraud protection: The HIN allows you to identify the month and year of its manufacture, helping to expose potential fraudulent claims by the seller when buying a used boat.
• Theft prevention: The HIN helps prevent theft by distinguishing one boat from another and is also used to recover stolen boats.
• Tracking ownership: The HIN can be used to track a boat's ownership, regardless of which state it's used in.

Where is the Hull ID number located?

The HIN must be at least 1/4 inch in size and permanently affixed to the boat. If your boat has a transom, you’ll find the primary HIN on the upper right side of the transom. However, the location may vary depending on the type of boat.

For boats without a transom, the HIN is typically found near the starboard outboard side, within a foot of the stern or two inches on the top of the hull side. Most boats also have a secondary HIN located on an unexposed location so that it’s accessible in the event the primary HIN plate goes missing.

Do you need a Hull Identification Number?

Starting in 1972, all boats manufactured in the United States were required to display the 12-digit identification number as part of the Federal Boat Safety Act. If your boat was manufactured prior to 1972, your boat likely does not have a Hull Identification Number plate provided by the manufacturer. Check with your state’s department of motor vehicles to determine if your boat will need any special type of registration to stay legal while out on the water.

Do you need a Hull Identification Number to get boat insurance?

You can often get an accurate boat insurance quote if you know your watercraft's manufacturer and model. However, to start a policy, you typically need the Hull Identification Number.

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