When it comes to boating, we immediatly think of fun times, vacations, exotic places, pirates and treasures.

But before boarding for your dream adventure, you have to take different things in consideration...

First of all safety is the most important thing about recreational boating, this is why we recommend to consult the U.S. Coast Guards A BOATER’S GUIDE TO THE FEDERAL REQUIREMENTS FOR RECREATIONAL BOATS.

If you're a boar owner or you plan to buy a boat soon, we'd like to introduce 2 mandatory elements on every boat: HIN plate and boat capacity plate.

HIN stands for HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBER.

The HIN is to boats what the VIN is to cars. All boats manufactured or imported since November 1972 are required to bear a Hull Number. This 12 characters code is the id of your boat it allows manufacturers to contact owners in case of recall and it also helps authorities to identify a boat and track its history.

Display of Hull number fall under Federal Regulation 33 CFR 181.29 - Hull identification number display.

The Most important points are:

Two identical hull identification numbers are required to be displayed on each boat hull.

(a) The primary hull identification number must be affixed -

(1) On boats with transoms, to the starboard outboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest.

(2) On boats without transoms or on boats on which it would be impractical to use the transom, to the starboard outboard side of the hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side, gunwale or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest.

(3) On catamarans and pontoon boats which have readily replaceable hulls, to the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment.

(4) If the hull identification number would not be visible, because of rails, fittings, or other accessories, the number must be affixed as near as possible to the location specified in paragraph (a) of this section.

(b) The duplicate hull identification number must be affixed in an unexposed location on the interior of the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware.

(c) Each hull identification number must be carved, burned, stamped, embossed, molded, bonded, or otherwise permanently affixed to the boat so that alteration, removal, or replacement would be obvious. If the number is on a separate plate, the plate must be fastened in such a manner that its removal would normally cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. A hull identification number must not be attached to parts of the boat that are removable.

(d) The characters of each hull identification number must be no less than one-fourth of an inch high.

[CGD 79-013, 48 FR 40718, Sept. 19, 1983; 48 FR 53558, Nov. 28, 1983]

Federal law requires all motorized monohull boats less than 20 feet in length, to have a Boat Capacity Plate. However, manufacturers are not required to attach the tag, it is the duty of the owner to check presence of this plate.

This plate displays three important items:

the maximum weight of persons on board in pounds,

the maximum carrying weight of the boat in pounds and

the maximum horsepower recommended for the boat.

Useful Tip: How to calculate your boat's capacity?

Number of people = vessel length (ft.) x vessel width (ft.) ÷ 15
ex for a 6'x12' Boat 6x12=72 72/15=4.8 = 4 persons capacity

Then number of people x 150lbs average to get equivalence in pounds.
4 x 150lbs = 600lbs gross weight
(average weight used by manufacturer is usually 150-185 pounds)

Absence of a capacity plate could lead to a fine if controlled by Coast Guards.