Originally Posted by JustinJ
Originally Posted by GKelly
Originally Posted by Goatkiller
Not sure you can just make it up... every state has its own MIC number with the Coast Guard. I think this is what you are asking about. I don't remember what Alabama's MIC code is. It is the first 3 digits of the HIN number and determines the manufacture.

The application for a HIN shouldn't be asking for an existing HIN otherwise you would not need to be applying for the HIN in the first place.

Doesn't make sense.

But you are in luck this is Alabama and Daisy Duke down at the DMV will probably not know anything about this either. Play dumb and cross your fingers pay the registration fee (tax) and all good.

so every manufacturer stamps a HID on their boats the day it is made and just assume the state the boat will be sold in? has nothing to do with the coast guard or state its just like a vin# on a car he can just make one up been there done that on an old 70s model tin boat they dont care as long as something is on that paper work they dont physically check anything so it doesnt matter



Goatkiller is correct. Each manufacture is assigned an MIC form the coast guard, in which they use to issue Hull Numbers or HINs on boats they manufacture. And they do matter to the coast guard, or registering body, because the HIN in carried federal regulations with it to the manufacture regarding the boat having met certain safety requirements regarding flotation and such.
Each state can also issue it's own hull number that will be recognized by he coast guard, in Mississippi it is MIZ. A boat having a state issued hull number will be viewed as not meeting any federal safety regulations, and can have certain additional challenges when trying to insure.

TO the OP. They are not asking you to make up a number, they will issue that to you. They simply want the original builder, manufacturer. I would take your best guess as to what make it is, or simply put unknown and you should be good to go.


I know they aren’t asking me to make up a HIN number. That’s the ALDEER suggestion. My luck, I would make up a number that’s the correct number for a 40 foot boat that’s already in the system. I have access to several private lakes where I don’t even have to worry about registration, but would like to be able to eventually put it in public waters.