What is considered the "legal model year" of a sailboat? The year it was launched, the year it was sold, the date on the Certiificate of Origin, the date on a state title, the date on the manuals that came with the boat?
Legal Model Year
- Thread starter ISFISSY
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Technically and Legally, its the year that the KEEL was laid ... and after ~1Nov1972 this date is located on (included within) the Hull Identification Number (or HIN) that is embossed into the starboard side stern of the boat. Prior to that time .... you have to check with the manufacturers specific location of the HIN, and can be 'anywhere' and of no special sequence, OR 'numbering' etc.
Info on how to read a boat's HIN: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm
Info on how to read a boat's HIN: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm
Your own link says otherwise, Rich. The last 2 are the model year that the OP asks for, not asking for the year built, which may or may not be the same as the model year. The two before that are month and year it was done being built. My documentation certificate says that means year completed, not year started.
My documentation certificate indicates that the boat was made in 87 but my VIN # indicates that the boat is an 88. The boat is registered as an 88
NotCook
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- Dec 29, 2008
- 806
Date Keel Laid
In our case, the last four are 1185, indicating the date the keel was laid. It was launched in 1990, and completed fitting out in 1992. That conforms to the first example in the Boatsafe.com reference provided above.
Well, only if before Aug 1, 1984. After that, there is only one date, the date of certification. The complexity comes in cases when the build spans years, and which date the builder indicates in the certification. I'm only guessing, but it may be common practice to assign the date of certification when the keel is laid, versus when the boat is completed. Model year would be even more nebulous...
In our case, the last four are 1185, indicating the date the keel was laid. It was launched in 1990, and completed fitting out in 1992. That conforms to the first example in the Boatsafe.com reference provided above.
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model year
Currently, for most boat manufacturers the new model year starts early to mid summer. (That also generally coincides with model year price increases)
As a result, the boats built during the last half of 2008 for example will most likely be 2009 model year boats. The model year will be the last two digits of the HIN#. The model year will also be spelled out on the Manufacturers Statement of Origin which in most states is used to generate a state title.
Currently, for most boat manufacturers the new model year starts early to mid summer. (That also generally coincides with model year price increases)
As a result, the boats built during the last half of 2008 for example will most likely be 2009 model year boats. The model year will be the last two digits of the HIN#. The model year will also be spelled out on the Manufacturers Statement of Origin which in most states is used to generate a state title.
Your boat is an 'absolute eye catching beauty' .... any pics., plans etc. Who designed? where built, etc. etc. etc.
Sorry for the 'thread drift', but Im 'salivating' when I see your avitar.
;-)
NotCook
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- Dec 29, 2008
- 806
Thank you. We felt the same way when we first saw her in Annapolis. See our SBO photo album. Also, there is an album on Flikr of photos taken by a local photographer. He makes her look good... http://www.flickr.com/photos/54012815@N03/galleries/72157624972813590/
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