How can I get a new HIN number

[paulmonaghan]

Hi
I bought a small motor boat a while back as a fixer-upper and now realise I no nothing about it - including the Hull ID Number.
It had been repainted and any markings had been removed or painted over.
Is there a way of getting a new HIN? I tried the govt boat registration website - they refered me to the RYA.
They couldnt offer help either unless I was a member.
I dont think the boat is dodgy or stolen - the engine ID plate is in tact and i think if somebody wanted to hide the identity of the boat they would have removed this also.
I think it was just an over eager paint job which covered everything.
No idea even what make or model the craft is so cant go down that route.

Ant ideas?

 

[Searush]

Aren't HIN's quite modern? It could easliy predate such beaurocratic nonsense.

 

[landlockedpirate]

Aren't HIN's quite modern? It could easliy predate such beaurocratic nonsense.

Yep, your right. I think HIN's were introduced in the early 70's in the USA. Most UK boatbuilders adopted them throughout the 70's, however self builds stil didnt need one.

If the boats old enough,I wouldnt worry about it.

 

[prv]

70s? Late 90s rings more of a bell for me.

Certainly my 1993 boat doesn't have one.

Pete

 

[Ubergeekian]

Hi
I bought a small motor boat a while back as a fixer-upper and now realise I no nothing about it - including the Hull ID Number.
It had been repainted and any markings had been removed or painted over.
Is there a way of getting a new HIN?

Why do you want one? Since lots of boats don't have 'em, "n/a" will probably work in most circumstances.

 

[electrosys]

Shouldn't worry about it. Mine hasn't got one either, and like yourself - dunno make or model ...

If it ever becomes an issue - I'll simply invent a number, and have it engraved onto a nice piece of hardwood, and then bond it to the grp somewhere convenient - probably near the transom. If that's what it takes to keep bureaucrats happy.

 

[Searush]

Forgive me if this is daft, but if it was easy to "get a new one" wouldn't that completely undermine the whole point of having one? Thieves & dodgy boatt builders could just change the HIN & deny all knowledge of the former boat.

 

[Tranona]

HIN only came in in 1998. There is no central record, the number is issued by the builder using a code to identify the year of build, type and serial number. It is permanently moulded into the hull. Its main purpose is for record keeping as part of the audit trail to ensure the boat complies with the RCD and gets a CE mark. The HIN is subsequently used as an aditional identity to the name - for example on registration documents and Bills of Sale.

Older boats may or may not have some form of identification such as type and hull number, or in sailing boats by a sail number. In some cases this identity may be permanently on the hul, but in most cases not - often just a metal plate screwed to a bulkhead. Many smaller builders, particularly of small boats did not bother with any form of identification as it served no useful purpose.

 

[vyv_cox]

I never knew the hull number of my 1985 Sadler 34 until we took off the berth cushion covers and found 'Number 38' written on all the foam cushions. That's the only indication we have ever found.

 

[snooks]

I never knew the hull number of my 1985 Sadler 34 until we took off the berth cushion covers and found 'Number 38' written on all the foam cushions. That's the only indication we have ever found.

Just as well you haven't got hull no. 34, you could just think that was the model

I have 203 written on all the locker lids of our 32

btw the last two numbers of the HIN are usually the year of build, some bigger manufactures prefix that with a letter so they know what part of that year the hull was built

 

[paulmonaghan]

Cheers guys - thats given me a whole new slant on the issue - I thought all craft had a HIN the same way your car has chassis number etc.

Perhaps i need to come from a different angle - Do you need a HIN to get insurance?

I live a stones throw from Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough but cant launch my wee speedboat anywhere without insurance.
Anywhere I have tried for insurance have asked for a HIN, otherwise get a survey done, costing more than the annual insurance premium.

as a result I take to freshwater - a 200mile round trip to Lough Erne where you can use any of a number of free public slipways without the need for insurance.

I do of course want to get insurance cover - even if only liability for damage to other craft - but the HIN is the sticking point.

I can come up with a bill of sale (scratched on the back of an envelope), make up a name and have a guess at the make/model, if I dont need the HIN to get cover.

Any thoughts?

 

[prv]

Well, plenty of boats are both older than 1998 and have insurance cover, so some insurers obviously don't require it. Many will want a survey, but there are also some that don't. If you just want third party, there are a couple of specialists in that who ask very few questions - Basic Boat Insurance springs to mind. No experience myself, but others here have said good things about them.

Pete

 

[Ubergeekian]

Perhaps i need to come from a different angle - Do you need a HIN to get insurance?

I live a stones throw from Belfast Lough and Strangford Lough but cant launch my wee speedboat anywhere without insurance.
Anywhere I have tried for insurance have asked for a HIN, otherwise get a survey done, costing more than the annual insurance premium.

Basic Boat Insurance will cover you third party without a survey or a HIN. Been there, done that, have the policy. Other third party insurance is available.

 

[Tranona]

Yes, a survey is normally only required if you want cover on the hull and machinery. The insurance company will want independent confirmation that the boat exists, is seaworthy and the value you place on it is reasonable. As alreadt advised, third party insurance, which is what launching sites, marinas etc need is relatively easy to get.

 

[paulmonaghan]

Cheers - sounds like problem solved then regarding insurance.

Whilst on the subject - is month by month cover available, as I will only be launching and using my boat from now until september, therefore wont need cover for the winter while its safely parked in my driveway?

 

[Tranona]

You will find the third party premium is low and doubt anybody would cover for less than a year. Depending on what you think the boat might be worth you could get a survey report with valuation so that you can get cover for the boat including theft. Perhaps a good ideaa to get an expert to look over the boat anyway to ensure that it is safe and seaworthy.

 

[Ubergeekian]

Cheers - sounds like problem solved then regarding insurance.

Whilst on the subject - is month by month cover available, as I will only be launching and using my boat from now until september, therefore wont need cover for the winter while its safely parked in my driveway?

I am sure that insurers will take that into account when setting their premiums anyway, so I doubt if you'll get any discount from anyone. It's a bit like classic car insurance not giving rebates for a winter layup, since they assume that most classics are laid up in the winter anyway.