Boat HIN guide where to find it & how to check a used boat
Boats carry a 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN), not a 17-character VIN, so try.vin can't run a check on them. Use the guide below to find the HIN, then check title records with your state and recalls with the U.S. Coast Guard.
Before you buy
Checking a used boat
Boats use a 12-character Hull Identification Number (HIN) instead of the automotive 17-character VIN. try.vin only checks 17-character VINs, so it cannot look up a HIN — use U.S. Coast Guard recall notices and your state boating agency's title records for the hull, and use try.vin for the trailer that carries it.
Match the HIN
Read the 12-character HIN on the hull and check that the title and registration show the same number. A missing or altered HIN is a reason to walk away.
Coast Guard recalls
Search the U.S. Coast Guard's recall list by manufacturer code (the HIN's first three characters), model, and model year.
Search recalls on uscgboating.orgTitle records
Title and registration records are kept by the state agency that issued them. Ask it about the title before you pay.
Where is the HIN on a boat?
Every boat built or imported for U.S. sale since November 1972 carries a 12-character HIN on the outside of the transom on the starboard (right) side, within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. A second, hidden HIN sits somewhere inside the hull or under a fitting. You will also find the HIN on the title, registration, and insurance card. A boat with a missing or altered HIN is a serious red flag — do not buy it until the number is explained.
FAQ
Boat HIN questions
Everything to know before checking a used boat.
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