Hull inspection experience?

[pekstrom]

Hi All,

I am working on building a small 13' wooden runabout and recently looked at the process for registering it here in Georgia. It isn't anywhere near ready yet but I'm just trying to think ahead. I saw that an inspection will be needed and a HIN (hull identification number) will be assigned. It made me curious and I was wondering if anyone else has gone through this process and can shed some light on what to expect during such an inspection?

Thanks!

 

[fhhuber]

Basically... they are checking to see if its an attempt to register a stolen hull as a homebuilt. I had a homebuilt registered in a different state. They took one look and knew it wasn't professionally built and that was it. They didn't check anything else.

Georgia might do a better inspection and actually look to see if it might survive using the engine you plan to install...

 

[pekstrom]

Ok great. Thanks for the response fhhuber. That type of inspection makes perfect sense. Did they provide you with the HIN during the inspection or was that sent to you later?

 

[tpenfield]

I built a fiberglass dinghy from scratch and needed to register it so I could have a motor on it. I brought the boat to a place where the inspector was located. He looked at the boat, took a few measurements, I showed him some of the material receipts, etc. He put a state assigned HIN on the boat and gave me what I needed for a title and registration.

Pretty easy overall.

While I was there, another guy had a boat that had been restored and the HIN had been completely covered by a new coat of gelcoat. Not sure how that guy made out, since it would be pretty tough to prove the origin or any previous owner.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

I did it with the boat in my sig after buying her on a bill of sale from out of state . Called the GA DNR, gave my info, got the state registration numbers, paid with a CC, they gave me the number for the DNR ranger, called him and he came out and looked. We talked about safety stuff, he measured the length and slapped a HIN sticker on the stern and a hidden place, I called the number on this page - http://www.georgiawildlife.com/boating/how-to-register

Bear in mind the phone number is to a non-state service, but they can give you the contacts you need. The "inspection" wasn't much, but talking to a DNR ranger gets you what is needed other than just forking over the money for the registration. Being a home-built, the ranger may need some receipts, but he'll tell you.

In my case it was a piece of cake. Chocolate with chocolate icing and vanilla ice cream on the side.

 

[GA_Boater]

One more thing. Depending on what district you're in, the ranger may come to you or you may have to go to a place for inspection. There is a schedule and locations where inspections are done listed on the GA DNR site.

 

[jbcurt00]

Its wholly state dependent. I'd suggest you call and ask whoever handles boats in Georgia.

Form may be available online for HIN inspection. For homebuilt they may want material costs or pix to be provided when you file for title and registration.

In WV, none of the HIN inspections are done at time of registration, I have to call my local sheriffs office and city officer, sheriff or state tropper comes to me to do inspection.

But until I get to the DMV, theres little info available anywhere about what else might be required, so call them.

Be prepared, if its a non-typical title/reg, and home built qualifies, the clerk behind the counter may not be aware of what is or is not required, so it may take a while.

Having spoken to the 1 guy in charge of ultimately processing the paper work to get recreational vehicles titled in WV, I knew what was and wasnt required and still had to make 2 trips to the DMV for some paperwork the clerk requested.

I have also been known to go to a different DMV or get back in line for a different clerk because I had all the correct paperwork and didnt want to come back later after a clerk asked for additional stuff.

Good luck

Do you have a build topic going about the boat?

 

[pekstrom]

Thanks everyone for all the responses and information. I'll have to see how it goes when the time comes. As i mentioned i am far from finished with the boat. I just started a few months ago and am taking it real slow. It is my first time attempting something like this so I want to make sure I get it right. I don't have a build topic. I could start one if there is interest. I am building the PM38 from the 1962 issue of Polular Mechanics.

 

[GA_Boater]

Thanks everyone for all the responses and information. I'll have to see how it goes when the time comes. As i mentioned i am far from finished with the boat. I just started a few months ago and am taking it real slow. It is my first time attempting something like this so I want to make sure I get it right. I don't have a build topic. I could start one if there is interest. I am building the PM38 from the 1962 issue of Polular Mechanics.

When you're ready, check the website I linked above. I'm in Ga, so I know what I'm talking about and have gone through the experience.

 

[GA_Boater]

And do start a build thread. We like to see all boats builds and rebuilds.

 

[pekstrom]

Yes GA_Boater I will definitely check that site out. Thank you for posting the link.

 

[fhhuber]

Just had a cop come over... and sign off on the paperwork, then they gave me the HIN at the desk when I took in the paperwork and paid the registration.

As noted above... its a bit different from state to state and even for different counties in some states... whatever the local boating registration rules are and how the office is run.

 

[pekstrom]

I have started a build topic here for this in case anyone is interested.