If it's a double-ender (pointed on both ends), it will probably be one of two models, the 'standard' and the 'whitewater'. Find the canoes that look like yours (ignore the painted trim though, and perhaps the exact type of seat construction). Search for 'Grumman Canoes', and you will end up at the Marathon Boat Company (or something like that), which is their new name. You might also be interested in my guide to replacing your pontoon boat capacity plate ( read here).Go to their website. So there you have it, that’s where the VIN or HIN number is located on a pontoon boat! It is illegal for anyone (manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or owner) to alter or remove a HIN without the express written authorization of the Commandant, U.S. The purpose is to help authorities identify your boat if a thief or vandals remove or damage the primary HIN on the transom. HIN numbers post-August 1 st, 1984īoats manufactured or imported on or after August 1, 1984, also have a duplicate secondary HIN affixed somewhere on an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. On catamarans and pontoon boats the HIN must be affixed on the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment. The starboard outboard side of the hull aft is the preferred HIN location for many manufacturers. On boats without transoms or on pontoon boats on which it would be impractical to the transom, the HIN must be affixed to the starboard outboard side of the hull, aft within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of hull side, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. The primary HIN must be permanently affixed (so that it can be seen from outside the boat) to the starboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. The boat manufacturer must display two identical hull identification numbers, no less than one-fourth of an inch high, on each boat hull.

Here’s how they differ depending on the date. VIN and HIN numbers will be different depending on when your pontoon boat was manufactured. They are not the same thing as local state registration numbers, as registration numbers are more similar to how you have a license plate on your car as an identifier. It lets the manufacturer clearly identify where the boat has come from, should it be defective and require a recall. The HIN (or VIN) serves an important safety purpose on pontoon boats, or any other boat.

Why HIN / VIN numbers are important on pontoon boats The format of the pontoon VIN number will be: This is what the VIN number could look like on your pontoon boat.Īs you can see, it’s made up of 12 characters, with three letters at the start.

Grumman boat serial numbers