Thank you for reading our post, please rate this article at the end.
Last Updated on August 24, 2024 by Shera Mae Torollo
Table of Contents
Where is the VIN Number on a Jon Boat?
A Jon Boat is famous among boaters due to its stability and durability. One essential element for owners and potential buyers is understanding where to locate the VIN on a Jon Boat.
- Jon boats lack traditional Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN).
- HIN is a 12-character code unique to each boat.
- Typically found on the right rear exterior of the hull.
- The HIN must be displayed in two locations.
- Boat manufacturers assign HINs, and the Coast Guard tracks them.
- HIN format includes MIC, serial number, month, and year.
- Running a boat history report ensures a safe purchase.
A Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) is a distinctive number assigned to any motor or off-road vehicle. A VIN is equivalent to 17 characters on cars dating 1981 or newer. Any older than that, and you’ll find them ranging between 11 to 17 characters.
A VIN is equivalent to a HIN or a serial number. A Hull Identification Number, or HIN, is unique to boats and ships, whereas a serial number is unique to snowmobiles.
What Exactly is a HIN Number?
The Hull Identification Number is a number unique to every boat. It numbers between 12-14 digits.
You will find the HIN on any boat imported or manufactured after the 1st of November, 1971.
Importance of HIN
A HIN is primarily used to distinguish between two vehicles. All HINs assigned are unique, i.e., and thus play a vital role in identifying any vessel.
The authorities use HIN as an essential part of their strategy to recover lost or stolen boats and ships. HINs help them to identify vessels.
One precaution essential for you and most, if not all, boat users is to keep a secondary copy of the HIN.
Furthermore, you should keep this copy in a place secondary to the vessel itself. You will find the HIN beneficial if your boat gets stolen or a problem with its warranty arises.
Having a HIN is a federal requirement. Of course, vehicles older than 1971 can maneuver around those requirements in certain conditions that we will discuss later.
To register a boat, you must have an HIN number if the vessel is from after 1972.
Your boat’s registration number classifies as a state requirement (just like the license plate on a car). In comparison, the HIN is imperative for the state’s registration certificate.
HIN Formats Before and After August 1984
Formats Before August 1984
Before August 1984, it was essential for a boat manufacturer to place two identical HIN numbers. We’ll discuss where you can find the HIN numbers later on.
The manufacturer placed the HIN permanently, which could not be altered or tampered with. Any efforts to do so would make it quite visible.
Formats After August 1984
After August 1984, boat manufacturers had to place two HINs: primary and secondary. You will usually find the secondary HIN in an obscure place. This can be the boat’s interior or under a fitting or piece of hardware.
Such a setup’s primary purpose was to enable the proper authorities to find a boat with an HIN decoder just in case thieves vandalized and removed the primary HIN from a stolen boat.
Where are HINs Located?
A HIN is usually permanently on a metal plate or fiberglass, which you’ll usually find attached near or on the upper right side of the transom.
However, there are different places where a HIN can be placed. These places vary from boat to boat. Let’s have a look at some of them.
- Transoms: On boats with transoms, the HIN is engraved or attached on the upper right side two inches from the top of the flatback (transom).
- No transoms: On boats with a transom deemed unsuitable for an HIN or on ships that do not have a transom, the HIN is placed on the right outboard side of the hull, in a space of two inches from its top.
- Catamarans: Pontoons or catamarans have readily replaceable hulls. This makes it unsuitable for placing the HIN on its hull; thus, in catamarans or pontoons, it is inscribed on the aft crossbeam inside one foot of the starboard hull attachment.
- Any Other Location: The HIN should be within clear sight. Railings or any other accessories should not block its view.
Where is the VIN on a Jon Boat?
As stated, a VIN is essentially a HIN. They are the same thing but refer to different motors.
You can locate the Hull Identification Number on a Jon Boat by looking on the upper right side two inches from the top of the flatback.
The HIN number is mainly similar to:
ABC 67689 B6 06
Where:
- ABC This is the Manufacturer’s Identification Code. The state assigns this code to the boat manufacturer. If you want to look up your boat hull’s ID, every state keeps a database of searchable MICs.
- 67689: This is the Hull Serial Number. The manufacturer assigns it to the boat.
- B6: This is the date of manufacture of the vessel.
- 06: This is the boat’s model year.
Having a HIN on your Jon boat will make things convenient if you want to register your boat.
If not, things will get a little more tricky. In some cases, the cost of titling and registering a Jon boat may far exceed what the Jon boat itself costs.
How do you get yourself a Hull ID assigned?
If you happen to have a boat whose HIN does not match the format of the Coast Guard, you will have to be assigned a newer ID by the department.
For instance, any vessel before 1971 can keep its non-standard HIN for the state of Wisconsin only if the HIN is unique to Wisconsin’s registration system.
Such laws and relaxation for boats before 1971 may vary from state to state.
Along with your HIN, you will also get a set of instructions. These instructions state how and where to permanently fix the HIN in the rightful place recommended by the state.
The standard length of the HINs provided by the department is 12 characters.
What if my boat does not have a HIN?
This applies particularly to imported or homemade vessels not produced for sale, as the manufacturer usually affixes the HIN (Hull Identification Number).
If your boat does not have a HIN, the recommended action is to contact your state’s Department of Highway Safety and Motor Vehicles.
They can provide a hull identification number application, which will guide you through obtaining an HIN for your vessel.
Do Boat Engines have VINs?
Contrary to common belief, boat engines do not have Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) like cars. Instead, they possess their unique identifier, known as a serial number.
These serial numbers are typically found on the mounting bracket of the engine, close to the swivel tube. This unique identifier is critical for tracking the history, manufacturing details, and, in some cases, the engine’s maintenance records.
Therefore, while boat engines might not have VINs, they do have a system for identification and tracking purposes.
Could modifications or repairs to a Jon boat obscure the HIN?
Yes, it’s possible that modifications, repairs, or repainting of a Jon boat could cover up the HIN. If you suspect this, look for areas that might have been altered and check for any signs of the original HIN.
What should I do if I suspect the HIN has been tampered with or removed?
If the HIN appears altered or removed, contacting local maritime or law enforcement authorities is essential. A tampered HIN can indicate a stolen boat or one involved in illegal activities.
How can I verify the authenticity of a HIN on a used Jon boat I’m considering purchasing?
To verify an HIN’s authenticity, you can contact the manufacturer with the HIN to confirm it matches their records.
Additionally, some marine surveyors can verify HINs during a pre-purchase inspection, and there are online services that provide HIN checks similar to vehicle VIN checks.
Summary
Having a HIN number or VIN is a priority. If you find yourself buying any vessel, you must make sure to check whether it already has a HIN or not.
It is essential to understand that Jon boats, like other watercraft, do not have a traditional Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) as one might find in an automobile.
Instead, they utilize a Hull Identification Number (HIN), a unique 12-character code the boat manufacturers assign. This HIN is typically located on the right rear exterior of the hull and must be displayed in two separate locations on the boat.
The HIN format comprises the Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC), a serial number, and indicators for the month and year of production. The Coast Guard actively tracks these HINs to maintain a comprehensive database of watercraft.
To ensure a safe and transparent purchase, potential buyers are advised to run a boat history report using this HIN. This robust system of identification significantly aids in maintaining safety standards and tracking the ownership history of boats.
Home page
Back to the top of the page
