Latest articles
HIN guides
Boat VIN Lookup: How to Look Up a Boat by HIN for Free
Boats don't have VINs, they have HINs. The free checks that exist, what each one shows, and what a free boat VIN lookup can't tell you.
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USCG recalls
Outboard Motor Recalls: How to Check Yours by Serial
Where the serial number is on Mercury, Yamaha and Honda outboards, how to check it against each maker's recalls, and the Coast Guard database.
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Licences & rules
Hawaii Boat Insurance Requirements: Who Must Have It
Hawaii requires $100,000 of grounding insurance on boats 26 ft and over. Who it applies to, what counts as proof and the exemptions.
Read articleCheck the boat, not just the listing
Type the 12-character hull number from the transom. The decoder reads the builder, build month and model year, and the recall lookup lists any US Coast Guard recall campaign on record for that manufacturer. Free, no account.