Free Boat HIN Check
Enter the 12-character Hull Identification Number to see who built the boat and when, whether the builder is still in business, safety recalls on file, and any Coast Guard documentation and boarding records. Free, straight from Coast Guard data. Do this before you hand over any money.
Where to find the HIN
On most boats the HIN is molded or engraved on the upper starboard corner of the transom. It also appears on the title and registration. Federal rules require a second, hidden copy somewhere on the hull, and a surveyor can help find it if the visible one looks tampered with.
What the 12 characters mean
The first three characters are the builder's Manufacturer Identification Code, assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard. The next five are the builder's serial number for that hull. On boats built after August 1984, the 9th character is the month the boat was built (A for January through L for December), the 10th is the last digit of the year it was built, and the last two are the model year.
What a HIN check cannot tell you
A valid HIN confirms the number is formatted correctly. It does not show who owns the boat, whether money is still owed on it, or whether it has been stolen or damaged. Before you pay:
1. Match the HIN in three places
The HIN on the transom, the title, and the registration should match exactly. A mismatch, a sanded or riveted-over HIN, or a sticker instead of a molded number is a reason to stop.
2. Check the title and liens with the state
For a state-titled boat, the titling agency in that state can confirm who owns it and whether a lien is recorded. Ask the seller to show you a title in their own name.
3. If the boat is Coast Guard documented
Search the vessel in the Coast Guard's PSIX vessel search, and order an abstract of title from the National Vessel Documentation Center to see recorded mortgages and ownership history.
4. Get a marine survey on anything you are unsure of
A HIN tells you what the boat is, not what shape it is in. Read what a marine survey covers before you decide.
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