Builders making serial boats follow strict rules for their hull serial numbers. These numbers are referred as "HIN" numbers for Hull Identification Number.
When the boats are built outside of North America countries, the builders use the HIN system when they expect that the buyer will be Canadian or American.
In USA, the handcraft vessels also get the regulatory HIN number.
12 CHARACTERS - 3 BLOCKS
ZZZ 12345 ????
The spaces are included in this hypothetical number in order to facilitate the understanding of the present capsule.
Block # 1: ZZZ
MIC Code (Manufacturer Identification Code)
Block # 2: 12345
Production Code, at the choice of the builder
Block # 3: ????
Code indicating the build date of the hull and the model year
Block # 1 - ZZZ ==> MIC - 3 characters
“Manufacturer Identification Code”. Letters and/or digits identifying the builder or his representative in the United States. A builder may be granted several codes. Here are a few examples of these codes:
Code MIC
Manufacturer
SER
Sea Ray, USA
CDR
Carver, USA
BEY
Beneteau USA
IRI
Jeanneau, France
HSY
Queenlong Marine, Taiwan
Here is the Internet address for information on MIC codes
A new rule appearing is the one with 14 characters. Two characters are added before the usual number. They indicate the builder's country: US for United States, CA for Canada, FR for France, etc.
Block # 2 - 12345 ==> Production - 5 characters
Left at the choice of the builder.
Bloc # 3 - ????? ==> Dates - 3 styles
Letters or digits according to 3 different styles
A - «Modern Style» (For almost all boats made since at least 20 years)
Example: H899
1st character - H
It is always a letter. It identifies the month of construction according to the following table.The rank of the letter in the alphabet is the one of the month in the calendar. It may not be larger than “L”.
Letter
Month
Letter
Month
Letter
Month
A
January
E
May
I
September
B
February
F
June
J
October
C
March
G
July
K
November
D
April
H
August
L
December
2nd character - 8
It is a digit. It is the last figure of the build year of the hull. Must be the closest to the model year.
3rd and 4th character - 99
Represents the two last figures of the model year.
Resume
The hull of this boat has been built in August 1998 and the boat is a 1999 model.
There is no detail for the year model.
B - «Style M» : «M» because the 1st character of the date code is a «M».
Example: M80B
1st character - M
Identifies that the serial number is of M style
2nd and 3rd character - 80
80 = Year the hull was built
4th character - B
Month the hull was built according to the following table:
Letter
Month
Letter
Month
Letter
Month
A
August
E
December
I
April
B
September
F
January
J
May
C
October
G
February
K
June
D
November
H
Marsh
L
July
Resume
The boat has been built in September 1980.
There is no detail on the model year.
C - Style «Old» : Called «Old» because it is no more used.
Example: 1078
1st and 2nd character - 10
Month the hull was built
3rd and 4th character - 78
Year the hull was built
Resume
The hull was built in October 1978.
There is no detail on the model year.
This writing is a short summary of some of the topics to consider in relation with a vessel purchase, sale or credit.
