Boat Name: Enter the boat's name. Spaces and special characters are not permitted (i.e. Search Canada's #1 as canadas1). If the name exceeds 13 characters, enter the first 13. Hull Identification Number: Since 1982, Canadian and American boat manufacturers must, by law, affix an identification serial number to each hull. If this number exceeds. The serial number allows you to find parts that fit your outboard motor based on year and horsepower. For example, Mercury manufactured more than 120 different models and variants of 225HP outboard in 2006. Prior to 1969, Johnson model numbers were year-specific; serial numbers were used in identification. Johnsons from the 1969 to 1979 era use the last two digits of the year at the end of the model number to identify the model year; for example, a Johnson model number ending in '-4RL79' was built in 1979.
BOAT TITLE SEARCH RESOURCES
Free Boat Hull Number Check - A starting point for any boat title search to make sure the hull number conforms to federal standards with a breakdown of various elements.
Free USCG Documentation Search - Check to see if a vessel has been USCG documented. Search by official number, hull number, or vessel name. Includes a preliminary report.
Free Boat Manufacturer Search - Free boat manufacturer database search lookup for all domestic and imported boats. Thousands of listings with builder and vessel details.
State Registration Summary - Detailed state by state listing of boat registration, titling, loan perfection, title research, and operational requirements.
Vessel Documentation Summary - A detailed overview of vessel, ownership, preferred mortgage requirements, recording methods, and documentation abstract record searches.
Foreign Registration Summary - Information about how yachts are registered in various foreign countries with details about how loans and mortgages are recorded and perfected.
USCG Vessel Record Request - Order an abstract of title, certificate of documentation, certificate of ownership, preferred mortgage, bill of sale, claim of lien, and other filings.
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Free boat hull identification number validation check.
⚫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.
Crestliner Boat Serial Number Lookup
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.