Whether you’re buying a new boat or selling an existing one, conducting a USCG Documentation Search is essential. This will allow you to find the information you need about a potential vessel, including ownership, previous bills of sale, and mortgages or liens.
You can run this search by Vessel Number, Hull Identification Number (HIN), or Owner’s Name. However, it’s best to use a vessel number in order to get the most out of your search.
1. Look for the Vessel Number
When looking for a boat, the vessel number is one of the best ways to identify it. You can find this number on the interior of the hull or online through the uscg documentation search.
A Hull Identification Number, or HIN, is a combination of letters and numbers that are affixed to the hull of any boat manufactured in the U.S. This number can help you identify the boat and its owner.
The HIN can be found on any manufacturing certificates, titles, registrations or federal documents associated with the vessel. It can also be used to identify the vessel if it is stolen.
The Coast Guard Documentation search is free and can be done on any United States documented vessel. It can reveal the owner’s name, complete ownership history and a record of all liens/encumbrances. It is a good idea to do this before you make a purchase decision on a boat. This will save you time and money.
2. Look for the Hull Identification Number
Just like a VIN on a car, a Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a 12 or 14-character serial number that uniquely identifies a boat. This is required by law and should be shown on any registration or title document.
This number serves many purposes, including identifying the manufacturer and its defects. It also helps to trace a vessel’s history and facilitates the issuance of recall notices for defective parts.
Almost all boats since 1972 have been permanently stamped or etched with a HIN. It’s typically affixed to the transom, but it may also be concealed on other surfaces of the hull.
If you’re searching for a used boat and want to find out its history, the Hull Identification Number is a must-have. Just like a car’s VIN, a HIN can be used to search personal property security registers.
3. Look for the Owner’s Name
While it’s not as easy to find the owner of a boat as you might think, there are a few tricks up our sleeves that can help you get there. For starters, the United States Coast Guard maintains a database of all documented vessels in their jurisdiction.
This means that you can enter the hull identification number and retrieve the name of the vessel’s last recorded owner. It’s also worth checking out the state agency responsible for boat registration.
For the best results, make sure you’re logged into your state agency account and give them the full name of the vessel’s last recorded owner. You can even use the name as a keyword when searching for titles and abstracts to refine your search. You might also want to try using a search engine that includes images and/or text to narrow down the results. The most impressive thing about this trick is that it will likely only take a few seconds to retrieve the vessel’s name and ownership information.
4. Look for the Bill of Sale
The bill of sale is a document that records the transfer of ownership between two parties. It is most commonly used to record the purchase of a car, motorcycle or watercraft, but it can also be used for other types of property, such as clothing.
If you are selling a boat, it’s important to include the vessel description and hull number in the bill of sale. The form should also include the price and the names and addresses of the seller and buyer.
A bill of sale is a vital document for any transaction and should be prepared carefully and thoroughly. Rules vary by state, so check your local department of motor vehicles or county tax assessor-collector’s office for instructions and a template before creating one.