Mounting Hull ID Number (HIN)

[chase]

I went to office depot and ordered a name tag with the HIN # on it but without the clip and glued it on with thickened epoxy

[Greyfire]

Well, the deed is done. It's so hot in SC that I couldn't get plain epoxy to hold the tag up. The tag just slowly slid down the side of the boat. Using medium hardener produced epoxy that flowed like water. Never saw the epoxy flow like that when I was building her. A little wood flour to thicken it a bit and then it held fine. A couple of coats of epoxy should seal it in place just fine.

Now to pull out the paint to touch up the edges around the plate so that it looks good again.

Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences!

-=- Steve

[sgorey]

are you planning to cover the epoxy with something that has UV protection?

I think the regs make sense for production boats, but for these boats, they don't seem like it's worth it to go to the trouble of burning etc. It wouldn't take much to sand the area, apply wood putty, fair, paint and register it under a new HIN.

my 2 cents.

[Greyfire]

are you planning to cover the epoxy with something that has UV protection?.

Not right now. I was thinking about this last night when I finished. I've read that leaving the epoxy bright means needing something else to cover it to prevent it from being damaged by the sun. Maybe someone else can share their experience regarding this. It's a small strip that will be exposed, maybe 3/4" x 3" in total. The boat is stored covered and only uncovered to be used so I don't think I need to go so far as to buy something to protect such a small area.

My plan right now is to just leave it alone, and put another coat of epoxy on it next spring when I go to repaint the whole boat anyway (the paint's be scraped away in bunches of spots from running over rocks).

I think the regs make sense for production boats, but for these boats, they don't seem like it's worth it to go to the trouble of burning etc. It wouldn't take much to sand the area, apply wood putty, fair, paint and register it under a new HIN.

Before mounting it I looked at my production boat. It's stamped in there per the regulations. Even that can be puttied over and then have a new HIN inscribed with a dremel tool. Only reason (IMO) to mess with the HIN is to hide a stolen boat, and thieves will always find a way, be it home-build or production. I'm hoping that I never have to find out if the regs actually help find a stolen boat.

-=- Steve

[Daddy]

That's what that hidden HIN is for....
Daddy

[Boomer]

I've read that leaving the epoxy bright means needing something else to cover it to prevent it from being damaged by the sun.

In theory yes. In this application I wouldn't worry about it.

Spritz it with some clear lacquer if you're really concerned.

[Cracker Larry]

Only reason (IMO) to mess with the HIN is to hide a stolen boat, and thieves will always find a way, be it home-build or production. I'm hoping that I never have to find out if the regs actually help find a stolen boat.

Actually the regs and the HID assists a professional boat thief. They will pick out the boat and visit when no one is paying attention, and record the HID and registration numbers. In Georgia and many other states, there is no title requirements for a boat.

So they fill out a new state boat registration form in their name, as if they purchased it, using the correct HID and current registration numbers.

Now they wait a month and in the mail comes a brand new registration in the thiefs name, or a false name, and a new set of registration numbers that match the real HID.

The thief has staked out the boat and determined the best time to take it. Probably a Sunday night, from the marina. The boat will probably not be missed until the following Saturday. In 2 days it can be 2 states away.

The new numbers are applied as soon as it is safe. Maybe before it even leaves the dock. By daylight, all personal items are replaced, a few details changed, a new name on the transom, and heading to Florida.

If stopped by anyone, it has legal registration and raises no alarms. It is taken directly to it's new owner in another state and a legal bill of sale is filled out and the registration is transferred. The new owner applies for registration in his state. The paper trail will never catch up to the boat.

[TomW]

Larry is correct and why many states are going to a Titling system. North Carolina just started this year. Last I know about 1/3 of the states had gone that way with more to follow. $10 one time is not to onerous at least right now.

Tom

[Boomer]

Not to hijack the thread, but the only thing that I know of that is worse, is farm/earth moving equipment. It's reasonably mobile, and once it's out of sight of the owner, there is no record at all.

Tractors especially which can easily be 30-40 years old, serial numbers are hard to find if they are even legible. We had a tractor stolen last year that we'd had 15 years or so, and we had never recorded the serial number. Oh well.

Boat trailer thefts around some Georgia ramps have a real problem. No titles, and you can get a long way away in a 5-6 hour fishing day.