Hull ID Numbers - Required
by Philip Jacobs
Recently I mentioned some sales tax issues when registering a home built boat in Minnesota. Due to some Internet traffic, I've become aware of another administrative detail for builders; assignment of a uniform Hull Identification Number ('HIN').
The United States Coast Guard sets standards for boating, including navigation, safety, operation, labeling, and design. These rules typically apply more to commercially operated, or larger and powered boats, however, we are all familiar, for example, with the mandatory Coast Guard hang tags and safety tips found on the life vests we buy. According to Coast Guard literature, non-motorized canoes and kayaks are exempt from many design and labeling standards, however, they are still required to have a unique 12 digit HIN. Note that the HIN is not the same as the state license number listed on your watercraft registration certificate and sticker (which is also displayed in 3 inch high letters and numerals near the bow of motorized boats). The HIN is like the manufacturer's serial number of your car, while the 3 inch high characters are like the license plate. All commercially manufactured and imported canoes in this country have a HIN permanently affixed near the starboard side of the stern, with a duplicate HIN affixed on an 'unexposed location' inside of the boat, to aid in identification of a stolen or damaged boat.
The HIN consists of a 3 letter manufacturer ID code, followed by a 5 digit serial number, and a 4 number/letter combination identifying the date of certification and manufacture. For example, 'ABC12345H898' would identify boat number 1,235, which was built by the ABC company in August, 1998. This code is also helpful in identifying boats which were built since about 1972, which is when the first version of this system came into effect.
"Backyard Boat Builders', as we are called, must request and obtain a HIN from our State boating agency; in Minnesota, that's the DNR. These numbers use the 2 letter state abbreviation, followed by the letter 'Z' to designate a non-commercial builder, and a serial number and date code assigned by the State to avoid any chance of duplication. As of mid-July, Minnesota was up to serial number 02167, for your interest.
The DNR representative responsible for assigning HIN's stated that they can be requested at the time of registration, by marking the application "Please Assign HIN" in large letters. No additional fees apply. HIN's can be assigned to previously built boats at the time of regular license renewal.
The HIN must be marked in characters at least one-quarter inch high, and be located within one foot of the stern, on the starboard side, and within 2 inches of the gunwales. Because of the requirement that the HIN be permanently affixed to the boat, and because the DNR won't assign a HIN before a boat is registered, it may be necessary to register a boat before it is completed. For example, I created my own identification number (which I now know is not an acceptable substitute), and engraved it into one of the cedar strips with a wood burning tool, prior to fiberglassing. The black numbers and letters show clearly and neatly through the clear resin, and are protected against damage. This would be difficult to do after the boat was completed, but since registration is on a calendar year basis, there is no additional cost involved to registering a boat early, as long as it is completed during the same year.
The DNR representative said that HIN's can be assigned on the spot, if applied for at their office in Saint Paul (651) 296-2316, or (800) 285-2000. If applying at an outstate, deputy registrar, the HIN will be mailed to you (in summer the backlog can be several months), but you may be able to request the deputy registrar to call and have the HIN assigned over the phone, if time is a factor.
More information on HIN's can be obtained through the Coast Guard's InfoLine, (800) 368-5647. Ask for fact sheets number 14, "Boating Safety Standards", number 12, "Importing a Boat", and for "Safety Standards for Backyard Boat Builders" (COMDTPUB P16761.3B). This last booklet is about 50 pages long, and also covers things like determining capacity, flotation needs, etc. And they're all free.
