I want to register my 27' 1984 Catalina in Massachusetts. They require an imprint of the HIN and I have looked on the stern where I expected to find it but it is not where I can see it. Does anyone know where I would find it?
Hull Identification Number
- Thread starter bobbelize
- Start date
Bob, I read somewhere that it may also be under a cleat or winch. I would contact Catalina to find out or perhaps someone else here knows. I bought a 1976 C-22 with no title and by a process of elimination(and a bit of luck) I finally figured out the HIN, I then went to the DNR and contacted the original owner. I eventually got them to sign the boat over to me and the rest, as they say, is history! The guy that I bought it from told me I could NOT get a title(that was his first mistake)! Good luck to you!
If you already have a title and have in your possession the hull ID Number and all you want is to meet the requirement of providing an imprint of the number it would be rather easy to set up a template on a piece of wood and use a Dremel tool to carve the numbers on it then make an imprint of it. You could then glue that piece of wood to the inside of the hull further attesting that you made the imprint from the number on the boat.. Check with other Catalina owners to see the size and fonts of the letters and numbers used. I believe that imprint may be some requirement someone thought up to avoid having to have an officer go out and inspect the boat. I'm sure it is not the only marker they verify but just another one to cover their responsibility and place the burden on you in case a claim was latter received.
Thanks to those who answered. I was going to use an engraver but just for the heck of it I went to the registry and told them it had been gell coated over and they told me "no problem" as the HID was on the title.