🚢 Boats & vessels

Boat HIN Lookup

Checking out a used boat? Search a hull identification number (HIN) or vessel name to pull U.S. Coast Guard records — builder, year, hull material, length and documentation status.

Instant search · official data · never any owner info

1Enter a boat name or HIN

Search the U.S. Coast Guard vessel registry by name or hull identification number.

2See the record

Builder, length, year, hull material and documentation details — instantly.

3Go deeper if you need to

Use the guides to check a used boat before you hand over money.

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What a HIN lookup shows

A boat's HIN is its 12-character fingerprint, like a car's VIN. We search the U.S. Coast Guard's federal vessel registry (PSIX) for documented boats and yachts — returning the builder, model year, hull material, dimensions, service type and current documentation status. As with vehicles, we never show owner personal information.

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Before you buy a used boat

Confirm the HIN on the transom matches the paperwork, check the documentation status, and run it here before you pay. A few minutes of checking can save you from a costly mistake on the water.

With every search

What you get without paying a cent

🔎Make, model, year & specsEngine, drivetrain, body, plant and equipment decoded from the VIN.
🚨Safety recallsEvery NHTSA campaign for the model year, with the fix.
🔧Known problemsThe most-reported issues and what to inspect before buying.
💵Fair-price rangeTypical asking prices for that year, make and model.
🔔Recall email alertsWatch any VIN and hear the moment a new recall lands.
⭐Crash ratings & MPGNHTSA stars, rollover risk and official EPA economy.
Need the full title, salvage, odometer and accident history?

Unlock the complete report for any VIN — one-time, with permanent access. No subscription required.

Start a search → See what's included

Frequently asked questions

Where is the HIN on a boat?

It's usually stamped on the upper starboard (right) side of the transom, and may also be on documentation and the registration.

Does the boat lookup cost anything?

No — U.S. Coast Guard documented-vessel records cost nothing to search.

Does it show the boat's owner?

No. The Coast Guard removed owner personal information from public records; we show vessel details only.

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