By understanding hull identification numbers (hin) it is possible to determine in which country a boat was made, the manufacturer, the year it was built and the boat model year.. Read the nmma plate. it tells you the name of the manufacturer, the maximum horsepower your boat is designed for, the number of passengers your boat will carry, your boat's hull number. on the left side of the plate, about half-way down the plate, you will find the model of your boat.. *key to month of model year. figure 1 - hin formats before august 1, 1984. the boat manufacturer must display two identical hull identification numbers, no less than one-fourth of an inch high, on each boat hull..
The information provided can be used to research the make and model of a boat using the issuing state's registration office. locate the hin. the hull id number or hin will be either on the outside of the boat or on the transom on the starboard side of the boat.. Fortunately, it's fairly simple to find your boat's build date. (see "hins by the numbers") the information with the boat's model year is contained in the hull identification number (hin), which is a label permanently affixed to the boat. the number includes a date assigned by the builder.. A boat vin number is actually called hin (hull identification number), although the term vin is frequently misused. unlike a car vin number, a boat hin is 12 characters long. at least one hin number must be on all boats manufactured or imported on or after november 1, 1972..
