Boat Identification/Serial/Registration

(schuey) · (schuey) **Join Date: Apr 2005** 08-29-2005, 1:52 PM

Hi guys,
I just wondered whether boats have a speicific identification as cars do, I'm not sure whether it is the same in America but in England we have VIN codes/numbers which are etched onto the car at points on the chassis and it helps when you're buying a second hand car you can have a check done and check that the VIN codes etched into the chassis match the resgistration documents etc.
What ways are there to safeguard the buying of 2nd hand boats in such a way, to ensure they haven't been stolen or anything? I was specifically wondering if anything like this exists for Mastercrafts? Where maybe you could see the code or number and then check with Mastercraft themselves or something like that?

In addition to standard registration documents are there any other documents or safeguards that you can make before buying the boat to ensure its cosha... if you will?
Cheers for any help guys.

(dbjts) · (dbjts) **Join Date: Nov 2003** 08-30-2005, 12:59 AM

Mastercrafts have a serial number molded in to the transom at the top right hand side not sure of the location on other manufacturers but it will be there somewhere.
In the UK boats don’t have a title document or V5 like a car but if you check the serial number with the police you can find out if it’s stolen.

(fox) · (fox) **Join Date: Jul 2002** 08-30-2005, 7:50 AM

Serial numbers on CC in the rear right of the transom...I would excpect that on all manufacturers. Also, Engine usually has an ID and the trailer is often stamped up by the tongue.

Eric

(rodmcinnis) · (rodmcinnis) **Join Date: Sep 2002** 08-30-2005, 10:51 AM

In the USA, all boats are required to have their Hull ID numbers molded (or similarly engraved/embossed) into the transom. The Hull ID number is what the Title references.

In addition, the Hull ID number contains information that identifies the manufacturer and year that the boat was built (which is not necessarialy the same as the model year).

This standard started being used sometime in the '70s so a real old boat may not have it. In addition, boats over a certain size are exempt (you won't be finding Hull ID numbers on a super tanker) but certainly any boat that we would be talking about here should have them.