Federal safety databases cross-referenced
Decode any Hull Identification Number instantly. Check federal recall records and vessel registry data.
A Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique 12-character code assigned to every recreational boat manufactured or imported into the United States after November 1, 1972. It serves the same purpose as a VIN (Vehicle Identification Number) for cars — providing a permanent, traceable identity for the vessel throughout its lifetime. The first three characters identify the manufacturer (MIC code), characters 4-8 are the hull serial number, and the last four encode the date of manufacture and model year.
Federal law requires the HIN to be permanently affixed in two locations: on the upper starboard (right) side of the transom (the flat back of the boat) and in a hidden secondary location inside the hull or beneath hardware. You can also find the HIN on the vessel's Certificate of Documentation, state registration card, or in the owner's manual. If the HIN plate appears tampered with or missing, this is a serious red flag that may indicate a stolen vessel.
Decoding a HIN before purchasing a used boat confirms the manufacturer, model year, and country of origin — catching misrepresented listings early. Cross-referencing the HIN against federal recall databases reveals any outstanding safety recalls that may need attention. The USCG vessel registry can confirm registration status and basic specifications. A thorough HIN check is the first step in any pre-purchase due diligence, alongside a professional marine survey and sea trial.
Every HIN follows a standardized 12-character format set by the U.S. Coast Guard. Characters 1–3 are the Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC), assigned by the USCG to each registered builder. Characters 4–8 are the hull serial number, unique to each vessel from that manufacturer. Characters 9–10 encode the month and year of production. Characters 11–12 indicate the model year. Enter any 12-character HIN above and HullScore decodes each segment instantly, then cross-references it against federal recall and vessel registry databases.
The U.S. Coast Guard maintains a public database of all recreational boat safety recalls issued under federal regulation. When you enter a HIN, HullScore extracts the manufacturer code and queries every recall issued for that builder, filtered to your vessel's model year range. This surfaces defects ranging from fuel system leaks and steering failures to electrical hazards — issues that may require free manufacturer repair under the federal recall program.
A HIN (Hull Identification Number) is the marine equivalent of an automobile VIN (Vehicle Identification Number). Both are government-mandated serial numbers that permanently identify a unit. The key differences: HINs are 12 characters (VINs are 17), HINs use a 3-character Manufacturer Identification Code (VINs use a World Manufacturer Identifier), and HINs encode the production date and model year in the final four characters. Unlike the automotive world, there is no centralized “boat Carfax” — which is why tools like HullScore exist to aggregate federal safety, registry, and recall data in one place.