By: Olivia Hudak on January 24th, 2022

What is a HIN? (Hull Identification Number)

If you’re a boat owner you know that there’s an entire vocabulary that comes along with being on the water.  Nautical terms become second nature and soon you’re teaching others how to remember which side is the port side.  (Port and left both have four letters).

As well versed as you may be on the subject, have you ever been asked for the boat’s HIN?  If your answer is yes and you had to think, what in the world could that be?, you’re not alone.  Whether you’ve heard the term or not, every boater should be aware of what HIN means.

Now, you may never get asked this question, the HIN might be something that never comes up.  But I’m willing to guess, at some point, you’ll need to know what it is and where to find it.  Having this knowledge will also make every interaction with your dealer and boat manufacturer more efficient.

The HIN is something we at Barletta rely on heavily.  Once a boat is assigned a HIN on the production line, it comes to life.  We also base warranty and registration information on the HIN, so what exactly is this term and why is it so important?  I’m going to share HIN 101 with you so that you’re prepared the next time it comes up.  

What is a HIN?

If you've ever owned a car, you probably know what a VIN (vehicle identification number) is. Well a HIN is the boat version of a VIN. Simply put, a HIN is the hull identification number.  Jaw dropping, I know.    

It is a sequence of 12 letters and numbers used to identify each unique boat.  The makeup of the HIN will include information regarding the manufacturer, model, and year of your boat.  

For instance, you will find the first three digits are unique to the manufacturer and that is determined by the Coast Guard.  The next five are sequential production numbers, then a letter signifying the month it was built.  The last three are a code for the model year of the boat. 

All the aspects of a HIN make the boat quick and easy to identify for your dealer if they’re working on a service item and need to order a part that’s specific to the model.  It also makes communication about your specific boat more efficient between dealer and manufacturer.  

The HIN will always be unique to your specific boat.  I have been boating my whole life and none of the boats I have been around have had the exact same HIN.  Even between different makes and models, you won’t find two HINs alike.  

Now that you know what a HIN is we can dig into why it is so important.  As I mentioned, the HIN breathes life into your boat before it leaves the factory, so it’s got to have some importance, right?

Why is a HIN Important?

Your HIN is important for lots of reasons but I'm going to give you a few examples of why it’s a good thing to keep track of.  Let’s start with the building process of the boat. Here at Barletta, we assign each component that will be on the boat to the HIN that’s assigned when it goes on line.  That way, the parts stay organized and match the exact boat they were ordered for.

Take the toons for example, when the toons are built, they are assigned to the HIN so it is known which boat those will be going to.  The same goes for the rails.  We bend them in house but then send them out to be anodized.  The HIN assignment makes it easy to match them with the according boat when they return to the factory.  

Identifying which parts are for each boat is critical to the building process.  Utilizing the HIN keeps everything organized so that the process runs smoothly.  That’s how the production line stays a well-oiled machine.  

Aside from matching parts to the correct boat during production, the HIN also plays a part in the warranty process.  Warranty requests from your dealership will rely on the HIN as a point of reference for the manufacturer.  

The HIN helps the manufacturer identify which parts are needed and what type of work can be done on that specific boat.  That said, the HIN makes filing a warranty claim possible for your dealer.

So I've filled you in on why the HIN is important to the manufacturer and the dealer, but what about you?  Why should it matter that you know the HIN?  One word, registration.  

To register a boat with the state and receive your registration stickers, you are required to provide the HIN when you file the registration at your local BMV.  Registering your boat with the state is important because it’s the law in most cases, plain and simple.

I wanted you to know the reason behind the importance of knowing what your HIN is so that you take the time to learn where it’s at and have access to it through each season.  I say that because I’m required to renew my boat’s registration in the winter while the boat is in storage and I can’t access it until the following summer.  So, where can you find the HIN?

Where is the HIN Located on My Boat?

First off, I will start by saying that every boat brand has a different location in which they place the HIN.  You should be able to find this information on the sales paperwork from your dealer.  But let’s say you’re out on the water, all the paperwork is at home and you need to find where the HIN is physically located. 

Barletta owners and future Barletta owners you’re in luck, I can let you in on where your HIN is hidden. You can find the HIN on a Barletta at the stern of the boat. The easiest way to describe the exact location is to look at the boat from the back.

From there, move in closer to the right side of the motor. Now look at the side of the motor pod, there you will find the 12-digit HIN engraved in the metal.  It is engraved so that it stays put even though it’s exposed to the elements.  

You’re a HIN Pro

If you’re a Barletta owner, you now know exactly how to find your unique HIN on the boat itself.  My advice, write it down for safe keeping so that you have access to it throughout the entire year, even if the boat is in storage.  

A HIN is such an important part of the boat’s DNA and I would venture to say that you will have to access it at some point during boat ownership.  If you own a different type or brand of boat than a Barletta and are having trouble locating your HIN, give your dealer a call.

They should be able to help you get that information either by checking their paperwork or directing you to the location where it’s listed on the boat itself.  If that’s not the case, they can always reach out to the manufacturer who will surely know where to find it.