Hull Identification Number for Mass registration? - The Hull Truth

mr buck · 11-04-2009, 04:21 PM

I am looking for the Hull Identification Number on my boat so I can get it registered here in the Mass. The boat was previously registered in Mass. I see on the MA EP website that boats built prior to 1972 may not have this and may need an inspection....my boat is a 1969 Seacraft 20ft CC....any idea if and where the HIN would be on this boat?

Reel Pursuit · 11-04-2009, 04:50 PM

Usually it's somewhere on the transom.

thehermit · 11-04-2009, 05:22 PM

The HIN on SeaCrafts is typically stamped on the Transom (starboard side). If your boat is a 1969 it would NOT have a HIN from the factory. It should have a MSZ#. Thats should be the HIN assigned from MA to the person who previously registered the older boat. The MSZ is a generic HIN foro old boats. Is there a MSZ # stciker anywhere on the boat? They should have given the previous owenr one to apply to that great old boat you have there.

Can you say red tape? Welcome to MA! Just need a sharp knife to cut thru it all

FYI
My 1970 SeaCraft had an MSZ#
My 1974 SeaCraft has a HIN stamp.

mr buck · 11-04-2009, 05:41 PM

Thanks for the info Hermit, I will look for that tomorrow as I don't have her in my backyard. But just to clarify, this is different from the "MS #### ##" decal number on the bow of the boat, right?

surfcaster51 · 11-04-2009, 06:08 PM

The sticker should be in the same location as all hull I.D. #'s.....

upper starboard corner on the transom and yes it is a different # then the MS ####

mr buck · 11-04-2009, 07:26 PM

Inside or outside of the transom?

thehermit · 11-05-2009, 04:39 AM

outside.

Does the title of the boat have an MSZ#? If so you may just be lacking the sticker.

cheesegrits · 11-05-2009, 06:12 AM

Usually from 72 on the HIN is supposed to be on the outside of the starboard side of the transom. On my 73 Aquasport it is on the port side, why I don't know! Have you posted this over on www.classicseacraft.com? If the transom has been redone 99% of the time the repairer doesn't put it back. I agree, what does your title say?

mr buck · 11-05-2009, 11:49 AM

So upon further inspection I found that the plate is missing as there was indeed a place for the plate on the outside of the starboard transom, as evidenced by two screws and the shadowing of the plate on the fiberglass. No evidence of sticker could be found either inside or outside the boat. However, the woman told at the office told me I just need to make my own plate and just put it on! Any idea where I can get a plate to engrave the number on?

Mist-Rest · 11-05-2009, 03:44 PM

Any trophy shop should be able to help you out

Kamper · 11-05-2009, 05:14 PM

Do you have a copy of the latest registration slip? How about the old registration numbers? If you have the "bow" numbers the previous owner can get a copy of the registration, or re-register it, then transfer it to you.

Whatever happens, do NOT put much money into it until you have it registerred in your name. We have more than a few posts about folks who have done major renovations to boats they got "free" or from "estates" only to find they have flushed it all down the whirlpool.

Good luck!

MacCTD · 11-09-2009, 02:59 PM

The boat may have been registered to the current owner without a 12 digit HIN if they have owned it and kept it registered for at least the last 10 years.
You cannot register the boat without a 12 digit HIN, you cannot transfer the registration in MA, as stated you will have to have the boat inspected and have a new number assigned from the Envirmental police. It is not a big deal, just have to contact the enviromental police and find out where they are doing the inspections, I have done a couple, one in Gloucester at thier office and one at the Stoneham Zoo parking lot.

mr buck · 11-15-2009, 07:01 AM

Well thanks for all the input everyone. She does have the older 9 digit HIN number printed on the registration, so I got her registered. However, they were annoyed I didn't have the HIN rubbing and they told me that I need to get a plate engraved with the number and have it glassed to the transom. Got the new MA reg numbers on her yesterday so at least I'm legit now!