Question on boat hull serialization

[Danzio]

I sold a 14' aluminum boat this past weekend (on Ebay) and when the guy came to pick it up he was surprised that there was no serial number on the hull, or at least we couldn't find it. There was the tag on the transom that had the maximum HP and number of passengers listed but no S/N. Also on the registration from DMV it listed a hull number along with the CF number but how would you be able to match the registration to the hull if there is no S/N. Anyway just curious. I bought the boat new in 1991 from a Valco dealer but the guy that bought it seemed to think it might have been an Alumacraft. Even though the handles on the transom have Valco cast right into them and the boat has other Valco decals.<br /><br />Dan

 

[bayman]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

Many of the aluminum boats look fairly similar so I'm not surprised he thought it looked like an Alumacraft. It most definitely is a Valco though. Some manufacturers make their own hulls but buy handles and such from parts manufacturers. That isn't the case here.<br /><br />The boat should have a hull ID 12 characters long after 1971 and this definitely is at 20 years later. The easiest place to find it is on the stern but sometimes the plates fall off, no bid surpise. By law, it should be inside the hull somewhere as well. So, that is the most logical way to match it up - legally. For simple knowledge sake, just use the hull number on the registration.

 

[roscoe]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

He can stamp or engrave a number into the hull or transom to use as an id number.

 

[bayman]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

True Roscoe, as long as he's careful and matches up the numbers correctly he should be able to just add the number.

 

[Danzio]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

So then guys, are you saying it is common for there not to have the number stamped somewhere inside the hull. I would be very surprised if it were there on a tag somewhere and somehow just fell off. Anyway the boat is long gone but I was asking more out of curiosity than anything else.<br /><br />Thanks,<br />Dan

 

[bayman]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

Boats built after 1971 should have the number somewhere in the boat and on the stern. Sometimes the numbers are stamped there, sometimes a plate is added. Plates can fall off, that isn't too uncommon.

 

[bayman]

Re: Question on boat hull serialization

One correction on that. Boats after 1971 should have the HIN on the stern. <br /><br />"Boats manufactured or imported on or after August 1, 1984, also have a duplicate secondary HIN affixed somewhere on an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. The purpose is to help authorities idenitify your boat if a thief or vandals remove or damage the primary HIN on the transom. *** is illegal for anyone toalter or remove a HIN without the express written authorization of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard."<br /> http://www.uscgboating.org/safety/boatbuilder/downloads/PART3_CFS.pdf <br /><br />I think that means you can replace the HIN as long as you are sure the info is correct. Otherwise the Commandant might not be too happy