Hull Number Decoder

BoatScopeTM

Visit our database page for the nation's premier boat history report with a full compliment of title search resources. Includes eight maritime databases all rolled into one convenient interface. A must-have service for any prospective buyer, marine lender, or maritime professional.

More Information

Hull Number Guidelines
Hull Number Verification Check
Boat Lien Registry Search
Stolen Boat Registry Search
State Boat Registration Basics
Boat Title Search Resources
Boat Title Search Guidelines
Boat Titling Glossary

Advertisement

Owner Background Search

Criminal Records
Assets - Properties
Personal Details


Know your seller!

Sponsored by

BeenVerified

Advertisement

Hull Number Decoder

How to decode the meaning of a boat hull identification number.

All boats manufactured for consumption within the United States after November 1, 1972 are required to have a twelve character hull identification number. Federal regulations specify that it must be formatted according to the elements shown below.

New Format

Mandatory  -  August 1, 1984

Manufacturers
Identification Code
Production
or Serial Number
*Month
of Production
Year
of Production
Model
Year
ABC 12345 A 7 88
    * A - January          D - April          G - July            J - October
      B - February         E - May            H - August          K - November
      C - March            F - June           I - September       L - December

Straight Year Format

November 1, 1972

Manufacturers
Identification Code
Production
or Serial Number
Month
of Production
Year
of Production
ABC 12345 12 75

Model Year Format

Optional - November 1, 1972

Manufacturers
 Identification Code
Production
or Serial Number
Indicates Model
Year Format
Model
Year
*Production
Month
ABC 12345 M 75 A
    * A - August          D - November          G - February         J - May
      B - September       E - December          H - March            K - June
      C - October         F - January           I - April            L - July  

Note: The letters "I", "O", and "Q" are forbidden in the Production or Serial Number

In addition to the above formats, you may encounter those which are preceded by country codes such as "US" for the United states, "CN" for Canada, and "FR" for France. This means that the vessel was built for consumption in that respective country. You may also find hull numbers on two separate lines. In this case the second line is not typically considered as part of the hull number. State assigned hull numbers are not always consistent with federal standards.

Advertisement

BoatUS Towing


BoatWiki

The Free Boating Encyclopedia


DatabasesGuidelinesResources

Definitions Forms BlogsProfiles

All you should know about buying, owning, operating, and selling a boat.

Visit Now

Advertisement

Advertisement


MarineTitle.com

A Division of Maritime Partners, LLC
State of Washington  USA
© Copyright 1998 - 2021 All rights reserved.

Terms of UsePrivacy PolicyGlossaryPartnersContact Us