Boat VIN / HIN Lookup

Select how you want to search:

What's a HIN (boat VIN), and where can I find it?

No Hull ID Number? Get Reports Now »

All Boat History Report purchases now include a 1 year BoatUS Membership

Boat History Report® can help you avoid buying a boat with costly hidden problems

Look up by Hull Identification Number (HIN), State Registration Number, or USCG Documentation. Every report will check for damage including:

Accidents
Hurricanes
Fire
Theft
Run Aground
Submerged

Total Loss
Registration History
Title History
Recalls
Warranties
And More…

View Sample Report »

In the Press

Boat History Report is like Carfax or Autocheck for boats.

- Forbes

BoatHistoryReport.com will remain the primary research source for prospective buyers who might not have an opportunity to see a title until sales negotiations are well underway.

- Sun Sentinel

Partnering with Boat History Report will help reduce the incidents of transaction fraud by arming consumers with historical data on watercraft that they are considering for purchase.

- NICB

Boat History Report helps buyers avoid some of the potential pitfalls of buying a preowned boat, including hidden damage.

- Soundings Trade Only

U.S. Coast Guard names Boat History Report to National Boating Safety Advisory Committee.

- Boating Industry

The Marine Retailers Association of the Americas announced the launch of a Certified Pre-Owned Boat Program in collaboration with Boat History Report.

- MRAA Certified Pre-Owned Program

Boat History Report provides a service that is similar to Carfax but for the boating industry.

- Thrive Global

Boat History Report provides an in-depth review of the history of the vessel.

- Boating Industry

Boat History Report has amassed 120 million unique records and more than 1.4 million negative events to inform buyers about potential boat purchases.

- Soundings Trade Only

Trusted By

Relied Upon By Boat Dealers and Yacht Brokers Nationwide

Boat History Report gives our customers peace of mind when purchasing used boats from us and helps us retain higher profit margins than our competitors who don’t utilize Boat History Report. It has been a priceless tool for the entire boating industry in ensuring that the pre-owned boats we buy or take in have no hidden pasts.

- Jani Gyllenberg

Marine Connection

Ranked the #1 Dealer in North America

Our industry's reputation for transparency and access to accurate information is behind the times. BoatHistoryReport.com provides consumers with exactly that, which is why I use them and think products like this will strengthen our industry.

- Bob Denison

Denison Yacht Sales

Leader in the Yachting Industry with 22 Offices Nationwide

Partnering with Boat History Repot was a no-brainer! It certainly builds trust with our potential customers and shows them that our boats have nothing to hide. We include the reports on all our listings, and it separates us from our competitors.

- Mark Lassila | President

Boat Dynasty

Over 30 Years in the Boating Industry

Tampa Yacht Sales has been using BoatHistory Report for 8 years. It is always nice to take a little deeper dive from what a current owner may know and make sure we are providing the best used boats to our clients. I feel the value added to our clients and our brokerage is substantial and worth the investment. We want to make sure buyers are making the most educated purchase. We work to help clients understand the deferred maintenance cycle of boat ownership and the potential disclosures are equally as important to evaluate a boat's value. The report is another valuable tool we utilize as we walk through the buying and selling process.

- Shane Faunce | President

Tampa Yacht Sales

Over 16 Years in the Boating Industry

A Boat's History Affects Its Value

Click on these images to reveal the damage.

A boat's history is an essential factor in determining a boat's estimated market value. In addition to age and hours, other things to check for include whether the boat has ever been in an accident, deemed a total loss, and whether it was used in fresh versus salt water. All of these elements will factor into what the boat is worth and how much you should be willing to pay.

Damage to the boat, especially fiberglass boats, can be repaired very easily with almost no trace of its previous damage. Don't get caught off guard by boats with a history of damage and accidents- this could lead to many future problems and thousands in repair costs.

Order A Report

Know Before You Buy

Check if your watercraft has been:

Damaged in a Hurricane

Customer Feedback

Best money I have ever spent. Boat History Report saved me on a $25,000 purchase of a salvaged boat that the owner "didn't know about". Great customer service and very accommodating in my search for a new boat! Don't hesitate to spend the money and save yourself from a huge mistake.

- S. Scott, Michigan Verified Purchase

I am impressed that you were able to track down the information… AND get back to me so quickly. Thank you for following up. Mark me down as a very satisfied customer. If I buy another boat, I will absolutely get another report.

- Bob, Florida Verified Purchase

Wow! Thank you so much! That is so Awesome! It is so refreshing (& truly amazing these days) to have a company that sincerely cares and proves it through their actions! I am Very Impressed!

- Bryan W., Michigan Verified Purchase

Thank you, I’ve loved using your service, and will tell everyone what a great company you are!

- Edmund, Wisconsin Verified Purchase

Thank you very much. You provide good service that I intend to use again.

- Lou F., Florida Verified Purchase

I was able to read this report and based on this information, this boat looks pretty good. I am doing the sea trial tomorrow afternoon. Thank you very much, and you have been more than awesome and have earned every penny of this report!! I am MORE than pleased with your service! Thanks again, and for sure on my next boat, I will once again, seek your expertise!

- Joanne, California Verified Purchase

My experience has been really positive. I really liked that all my information was there and it was credible for backing up the sale of our boat to an owner in Canada. It substantiated and gave a credibility to the sale... ... Thanks for all your help, as I do think it helped play a role in the selling of our boat over a long distance- Willis, Texas to Canada.

- Jack, Texas Verified Purchase

I want to thank you for the excellent service that I received from you and your company. Even though the manufacturer could not provide the needed information to do a complete survey, you were very helpful! And true to your word you provided a 100% money back guarantee! I will be back…thank you!

- Bob S. Verified Purchase

Your rapid and professional responses have provided me the information I needed to make an informed decision when looking at a boat that I assumed was a Katrina victim, even though the owner told me it was clean. Saved me many headaches and a “boatload” of cash. Thanks!

- Peter, Canada Verified Purchase

I am extremely impressed with Boat History’s thoroughness, promptness and unsolicited willingness to go the extra (nautical) mile to get its customers whatever information is out there even though the cost to the customer is extremely small in comparison to the amount of human research undertaken when things are less than clear-- as they were in this case because of the “unofficial”Hull ID #. Your finding this accident gave me substantial relief regarding the absence of a 12th digit in the Hull ID # and thankfully, it was such a small collision, that even my surveyor will, I think, be unconcerned.

- Jed H., Connecticut Verified Purchase

Thank you so much for your help. You have truly been a blessing to Jenna and I and we are so grateful for your help. We have been dreaming of this for over three decades and it is starting to look up. With you and your company’s help, we think this is going to happen. The report looks fantastic and I will let you know when we close. Thank you again and what a wonderful experience with Boat History Report customer service.

- Douglas B., Georgia Verified Purchase

Thank you for responding so promptly. I think your report just saved me from a $40,000 mistake! I will be sure to tell others at our marina about your service. Money well spent.

- Randolph W., Florida Verified Purchase

Hull Identification Number (HIN) / Boat VIN

What's a HIN (boat VIN) and where do I find it?

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) serves as the boat’s unique identifier, similar to the VIN or vehicle serial number of a car. If the dealer or broker listing the boat has not provided you with a report from Boat History Report®, ask them to provide you with the boat’s HIN so that you can run your own report.

The HIN is affixed or stamped into the back of the boat's hull also known as the transom in the uppermost right corner or under the swim platform. Also, the HIN may be stated on the state title, state registration, USCG Documentation, and insurance documents. For boats 1984 and newer, Federal regulations mandate the HIN must follow the format in the image below. For additional HIN formats and a more detailed explanation, be sure to check out our HIN Troubleshooting Guide.