Sharing Hull ID Number with a potential buyer. Do or Don't?

[Meis]

I have had a person interested in possibly buying my boat that wants to know the Hull ID Number prior to looking at the boat. Never had anyone ask that before? I do not see why I should share this, but if anyone has experience with this practice, please let me know. Thanks for your help!
Meis

 

[dlochner]

The HIN will specify the age and build of the boat. I don't see a reason to not provide that information, especially if he is traveling some distance to see the boat. If the boat is documented and you know the ins and outs of searching publicly available information, knowing the HIN will allow one to trace the owner. Providing just the hull number would give the relevant information, boat age, and limit the information that can be found about the owner.

 

[Tally Ho]

I have had a person interested in possibly buying my boat that wants to know the Hull ID Number prior to looking at the boat. Never had anyone ask that before? I do not see why I should share this, but if anyone has experience with this practice, please let me know. Thanks for your help!
Meis

I don’t see why you wouldn’t.

If he wants to check on insurance, he might need the HIN.

or to check BoatFax…like CARFax…I wonder if that exists?

Greg

 

[dLj]

As a buyer if the seller did not want to give me the HIN - I would be suspect that there were things wrong that the seller is hiding.

Can't see any reason why you wouldn't share it. It's similar to the VIN number on a car... It the seller of a car balked at giving me the VIN - it would be a no sale for me.

dj

 

[kappykaplan]

I don’t see why you check BoatFax…like CARFax…I wonder if that exists?

There is a BoatFax. Looked up my boat's HIN before purchasing.

 

[BigEasy]

There is a BoatFax. Looked up my boat's HIN before purchasing.

Same here, I used the hull ID to determine if any insurance claims were paid on damages to the boat before I purchased.

Certainly, insurance and finance companies will want the hull ID to insure or finance the boat, before the act of sale. The hull ID will be necessary for inclusion in the purchase agreement and act if sale. What's the problem with providing that information?

 

[garymalmgren]

It is called due diligence and would indicate that you are dealing someone serious.
That would be a good thing, wouldn't it?

 

[jssailem]

Share the information.

 

[rgranger]

Also include your mother's maiden name, your highschool mascot and the name of your favorite pet growing up,. Might as well throw in your SS#....

Ok... just kidding.

It is okay to be paranoid. I recently joined a gym and they wanted a routing number .... as well as a cedit card on file. I'm like WTF! Until I realized I give out my routing number on every single check I write so... I had to step back. But it is okay to pause and think it through.

 

[kappykaplan]

I realized I give out my routing number on every single check I write

 

[kappykaplan]

There is a BoatFax.

It's BoatHistoryReport.com: Boat VIN Lookup / Hull Identification Number Lookup | Boat History Report

 

[Head Sail]

I have had a person interested in possibly buying my boat that wants to know the Hull ID Number prior to looking at the boat. Never had anyone ask that before? I do not see why I should share this, but if anyone has experience with this practice, please let me know. Thanks for your help!
Meis

Another way of looking at it is if you stole the boat or know it was stollen when you bought it, don't provide the HIN.

 

[Scott T-Bird]

If he goes to look at the boat, he can write down the number while he is there, so what's the difference if you give it to him before hand?

 

[fstbttms]

He wants to see if there's a lien on the boat. Withholding the HIN is a big red flag.

 

[danstanford]

I listed a boat for sale this year and had several unusual responses all of a very positive nature. Every one of them turned out to be a scammer so be careful when you see unusual behavior.

 

[fstbttms]

I listed a boat for sale this year and had several unusual responses all of a very positive nature. Every one of them turned out to be a scammer so be careful when you see unusual behavior.

Asking for a HIN is not "unusual behavior." But it is indicative of a buyer who isn't a dummy or inexperienced.

 

[JamesG161]

He wants to see if there's a lien on the boat.

And if Insurance Claim has been made on that boat.

No HIN# = No new Boat Insurance.

Jim...

 

[rgranger]

Asking for a HIN is not "unusual behavior." But it is indicative of a buyer who isn't a dummy or inexperienced.

He may even be watching this thread...