boatREAD THE NUMBER. KNOW THE LIMITS.
Free boat HIN decoder.
Decode a modern or legacy US Hull Identification Number, or the date and code in a country-prefixed CIN/WIN.
Where to look
The HIN is usually on the starboard side of the transom. Compare it with the original boat documents, rather than relying only on a seller’s listing.
What the characters mean
The first three characters of a US HIN identify the manufacturer code, followed by five serial characters and a four-character date code. Country-prefixed formats add two letters before the core number.
A modern date code gives a manufacture or certification month and year, followed by the model year. There is no checksum: a plausible number does not prove the boat’s identity or condition.
Not every boat uses this format
Older boats, home-built craft and some commercial vessels need a document-led check. US manufacturer codes are not interchangeable with other countries’ codes.
Check a boat's history
Start with a free public-record check
Check a boat's history
Start with a free public-record check
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