Using the HIN to get global Aquasport info???

[steved]

As you know, I have been trying to dig up information about our beloved Aquasports, but it really has been tough in terms of trying to figure out how many boats were made, when, what models, etc.

I had an idea that sounds like it may be labor-intensive but might actually work.  

As we know, all boats manufactured in the US from 1972 onwards have to have a HIN (hull identification number) - an unique identifier.  It turns out that the States (not the federal government) are responsible for these.

Each state maintains a register of HINs.

So.... that means that each state has a searchable register.

Part of the HIN is a unique three-letter identifier for the manufacturer.  Another part is the date of manufacture.

So... that means that it would be theoretically possible to ask for a search of the state HIN register for ALL Aquasports built between 1972 and whenever (for example 1989 when Genmar took over Aquasport).

The search would give info on the model, length, and date of the boat (and who knows what else).  It would also give the name of the original owner but of course, that would not be provided.

I spoke to some of the authorities in Florida and I actually think this would be possible.  My plan is to work it out in detail for Florida (which ought to be the mother lode in any case).  Assuming that I can get it to work for Florida, I then would replicate the search request to the relevant state authorities in the other states.

What do you think? Pick holes in this if you can.

[John Jones]

Great idea but you are a bigger man than me.  That sounds like a ton of time will be invested.  Save a few hours here and there to fish.  

[JimCt]

Interesting plan.

You write that individual states, not the Feds, are the HIN custodians.  Question comes to mind as to whether the states in which the boats were manufactured maintain a list of the HIN's of boats produced within their individual jurisdictions or if the states in which they are, or were at one time, registered hold the HIN's.

Reason for this long winded question is that when I bought the 240 I had both Mass. & RI run database searches on the HIN and both came up dry.  I know the boat was registered at one time in RI because her hail, painted on the transom, was Scituate, RI.  I ran the Mass. search because the faint shadow of the removed registration number started with "MA".  The boat registration honcho I spoke with in Boston said they purge HIN's after five to eight years.

That being said, it will be interesting to see what state-by-state searches turn up.  Too bad the HIN doesn't code model & serial production run... or does it?

[Radioshop]

I don't think the HIN holds many secrets.  I believe they'd be sequential, with some variation for models.  It would be great if someone found the factory files.  Should we start a privately held HIN registry, fill in what you know?  I could give a complete history on mine, but I'm a minority, I'm sure.

[22FamilyFish]

Please see this link on HIN's---> http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.html

[steved]

Yeah, I found that too after my previous post.  The HINs really wouldn't give us much - at best a total number of Aquasports in a given year, but nothing on the models.  Oh well, back to the drawing board.