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HIN number on a boat: where is it and what does it mean?
Short answer
The HIN, or CIN in European rules, is a boat's identity number.
On CE marked craft built since June 1998 it sits on the starboard side of the transom near the top,
and its 14 characters give country, builder, serial number, month and year of build and model year.
The HIN number on a boat is the hull identification number, the boating equivalent of a car's VIN. European rules call it the CIN, craft identification number, and every recreational craft placed on the market with a CE mark since 16 June 1998 must carry one. Boats built for the American market carry a 12 character HIN under US Coast Guard rules. Older European boats often have none at all, only a builder's hull or yard number in the paperwork.
Where to find it: on the outside of the transom, on the starboard side and close to the top edge, moulded, engraved or on a permanently fixed plate. Many builders repeat it in a hidden place inside the hull. What does it mean? Two letters for the builder's country, a three character manufacturer code, a five character serial number, a letter for the month and a digit for the year of build, and two digits for the model year. Build year and model year can differ by one, which means a boat built in autumn often carries the next season as its model year.
Why it matters: when buying, check that the number on the transom matches the bill of sale, the builder's declaration of conformity and any registration papers. Ground down, filled or freshly painted areas around the number are a warning sign, because stolen boats lose their number before they are sold on. Photograph the HIN now and keep it with the engine serial numbers somewhere off the boat, so that the police and anyone handling a claim can identify the boat quickly.
Worth remembering
14 characters
country, builder, serial, build date, model year
Transom
starboard side, near the top
Photograph the HIN before you ever need it.
Questions
What owners ask us about this
Where do I find the HIN on my boat?
On CE marked craft, on the outside of the transom on the starboard side, close to the top edge. Many builders add a second, hidden mark inside the hull. On boats with a bathing platform, look under the edge.
Is the CIN the same as the HIN?
Yes. CIN is the term used in European rules, HIN the American one. Both mean the same hull number that identifies one boat.
My boat was built before 1998 and has no HIN. What now?
That is common on older boats. Keep the builder's hull number, purchase papers and photos of distinctive features, and add a hidden mark of your own.
Related
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