Since November 1 1972 all boats must have a 12-character hull identification number HIN.

Pontoon boat hull identification number. Its there somewhere look on the engine pod or the aluminum frame that supports the POD check crossmembers on the right hand side on the stern would be the farthest one aft. These numbers are required by federal law and help the manufacturer identify the owners of their boats in case of recall or a defect notification. The HIN may also include a 2-digit country code at the beginning of the boat serial number.

This is often referred to as the boat serial number or boat ID number. Hull Identification Number HIN Display Instructions Two identical hull identification numbers are required to be displayed on each boat hull. The characters of each hull identification number must be no less than 14 inch high.

Hull identification numbers are typically located on the upper right hand part of the transom or aft starboard side in the case of double ended vessels. Newly assigned numbers by the Department should be attached above existing Hull ID number. First youll need to locate the Hull HIN numbers which should be stamped into the metal on the back of the boat on the right facing the rear of the boat.

You will find that Hull Identification Numbers do not contain spaces however we added them to the examples below to make reading them easier. Under federal regulations you have to display the hull identification code in two different places on the boat hull. This link is from Ikes site that goes into some of the details of breaking down the code.

A change was made August 1. It is an alphanumeric combination encoded by authorities with additional encryption for essential data security that links a vessel to its owner and manufacturer. It will be the first three characters in the Hull Identification Number HINyou place on every boat.

The USA rules for HINs are in 33CFR Subpart C 18121 -18135. The hull identification number HIN on all boats built after November 1 1972 is permanently affixed to the rear of the transom usually on the upper right corner. Since 1982 Canadian and American boat manufacturers must by law affix an identification serial number to each hull.