How to determine whether a boat hull identification number is valid. here
See full version: Hull Identification Number Check
How to determine whether a boat hull identification number is valid. here
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. here
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. [links]
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.
In our example, the year is 2014. here
Since November 1, 1972, federal law requires all boats, including inflatables like rafts, IKs and SUP boards, manufactured in, or imported into, the US to have a unique 12-character identifier called the Hull Identification Number (HIN). This is often referred to as the “boat serial number” or “boat ID number”. The number is usually found in the stern and can be engraved on a plate or stamped into the boat material.
These five characters are assigned by the manufacturer. They are normally numbers, but letters (except I, O and Q) may also be used.
The letter is for the month of manufacture:
Here’s where it gets confusing. Manufacturers were given the option of giving either the date of manufacture, or the model year. [links]
Fortunately, there's still a way to determine when an outboard was built. After discontinuing model years, engine manufacturers replaced the model-year designator on the engine's serial number with a code that signifies an "era" in which all engines are supposed to be the same, with similar upgrades. Consumers, however, are concerned that with computer controls, mechanically identical engines could have electronic updates applied to a batch of similar models, and earlier ones might not benefit.
Unlike cars, in which engines are built into the product, a selection of engines usually can be fitted on outboard boats. Dealers have struggled for years to make sure that the engines bought from an engine manufacturer during one year get sold that same year on new boats. [links]
12345: This is the serial number assigned to the hull by the manufacturer. This may be a combination of letters and numbers. The letters "I," "O," and "Q" are excluded because they could be mistaken for numbers. more
Some boats, especially large ones, may be on the floor for months before completion (even straddling the June cutoff date), while others may be finished in a matter of days. To be consistent, the Coast Guard uses the date the manufacturer says the boat meets federal regs. Once the HIN is assigned and affixed, that date becomes the boat's model year, regardless of when it was actually finished. here
General Motors introduced planned obsolescence in the 1920s as a way of discerning one model year from another, in order to convince the public that buying the latest model car was fashionable, if not exactly necessary. The tradition set by GM survives today. Eventually, consumers began to rely on the model-year change, which usually happened in the fall, to assure that they were getting the latest and greatest. Car buyers still eagerly anticipate the newest technology, and dealers often offer deep discounts to move out last year's models.
A typical hull identification number (HIN) consists of 12 letters and numbers, as in ABC12345D404.
I just recently bought a 16' Lund (year unknown) with a 1972 18 hp Evinrude sitting on a 1981 trailer. The person I bought the boat from says that its a 1989 Lund. he also said the motor was a 91, so either I was lied to or the guy knows jack about what he sold me. But for 900.00 for the works I wasn't to miffed about it. I just want to know the facts.
Does anyone know of a website or perhaps have some information about this serial number that might be able to tell me the year and model of this boat? more
I just did a bit of digging and found that Howard Lund first built a Duck boat from aluminum in 1948 and about a year later Lund was in business. So to say the last two numbers of the serial number I posted are the year is simply impossible. Once again any help with that serial number would be great. here