Written byA hull identification number (HIN) is the unique 14-character code on a boat's hull that identifies the vessel for registration, insurance and PPSR finance checks.
Also known as: HIN, hull identification number, hull number, boat HIN, boat serial number, HIN number
Key points
- The HIN is fixed to the hull, usually on the upper starboard side of the transom, and stays with the boat for life.
- Lenders register a boat loan on the PPSR against the HIN, so a HIN search shows whether money is owing on a used boat.
- A PPSR boat search returns registered security interests only, not make, model or registration details, unlike a VIN search on a car.
- The trailer has its own VIN and search, and an outboard can be financed separately, so a clean HIN search does not clear everything.
How a HIN works
A HIN is assigned by the builder and encodes the country of build, a manufacturer code, a serial number and the month and year of manufacture. It is engraved, moulded or fixed on a plate to the hull, normally near the upper starboard side of the transom, and must not be altered. Personal watercraft carry one as well. Older or imported boats may carry a shorter code from another scheme, and some built before the Australian standard have none.
State marine authorities require a HIN before a new vessel is registered and, in most states, before a second-hand vessel is registered for the first time. Where an older boat has no HIN, an authorised agent can inspect it and issue one, a process New South Wales runs under its Boatcode scheme and other states run under their own names. Some states exempt commercial vessels and hire craft.
HIN and the PPSR
Watercraft are serial-numbered property on the Personal Property Securities Register. A lender financing a boat registers its interest against the HIN, or the official number for larger vessels. That registration protects the lender if the borrower sells the boat while money is still owing: the encumbrance follows the hull, not the seller.
A buyer or broker searches the register with the HIN before settlement. The certificate lists every security interest registered against that serial number, and a search on the day of the sale or the day before gives the buyer statutory protection against an interest not registered by serial number. It does not confirm the boat's identity, so the HIN on the hull is matched against the registration papers and the seller's identification first. A clean search on the hull says nothing about the trailer, registered under its own VIN, or an outboard financed on its own.
HIN when financing a used boat
A lender writing a secured loan on a boat asks for the HIN on the application, runs its own PPSR search and, at settlement, pays out any existing loan directly to the previous financier before releasing the balance to the seller. It then registers its own interest against the HIN, a step known as perfection. Insurers ask for the same number when the policy is set up.
A missing, damaged or mismatched HIN slows all of this down. Some lenders will not settle on a boat without one, and most treat a hull number that does not match the paperwork as grounds to decline.
Example
A pharmacist in Hervey Bay finds a four-year-old centre console, trailer and outboard for sale privately and applies for finance through a broker. The broker reads the HIN off the transom plate, checks it against the Queensland registration papers and runs a PPSR search. The certificate shows a security interest registered by a finance company, which the seller confirms is his original boat loan. The lender agrees to pay that loan out at settlement and take a fresh registration against the HIN, and a separate search on the trailer's VIN comes back clear. The deal settles a week later with both interests recorded in the new lender's name.
Not to be confused with
- Vehicle identification number (VIN)
- a VIN identifies a road vehicle or trailer, while a HIN identifies a boat or personal watercraft; each is searched separately on the PPSR
Frequently asked questions
Where do I find the HIN on a boat?
Look at the transom, the flat rear face of the hull, on the upper starboard side, the right-hand side when you face the bow. The number is engraved, moulded into the fibreglass or stamped on a fixed plate. Some builders also record it in a hidden second location. It should match the registration papers exactly.
Is a HIN the same as a boat registration number?
No. The registration number is issued by the state marine authority, is painted on the side of the hull, and can change if the boat is re-registered interstate. The HIN is assigned by the builder, is permanent, and is the number lenders and the PPSR use to identify the vessel.
Can I do a PPSR search on a boat?
Yes. Search the PPSR by HIN, or by the official number for larger vessels, and pay the small search fee. The certificate lists any security interests registered against that serial number. It will not tell you the make, model or registration status, so those details are checked against the papers separately.
What if a used boat has no HIN?
Boats built before the Australian standard was adopted, and some imports, may have none. State authorities can arrange for an authorised agent to inspect the vessel and assign a HIN, which is usually required before it can be registered. Many lenders will not settle a boat loan until that has been done.
Does a HIN search cover the trailer and motor?
No. A boat trailer is a road vehicle with its own VIN or chassis number, so it needs a separate PPSR search. An outboard motor that was financed on its own may be registered against the borrower rather than a serial number. A full check on a package covers the hull, the trailer and the seller's name.
Related terms
Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR)
The Personal Property Securities Register (PPSR) is the national online register where lenders and suppliers record security interests over personal property such as vehicles and plant.
Read definitionVehicle identification number (VIN)
A vehicle identification number (VIN) is the unique 17-character code a manufacturer stamps on a vehicle, used to identify it on registration, insurance and finance records.
Read definitionSecurity (collateral)
Security (collateral) is an asset or legal interest a borrower grants a lender, which the lender can take and sell to recover the debt if the borrower defaults.
Read definitionEncumbrance
An encumbrance is a claim someone else holds over an asset, such as a loan secured against it, that limits how freely it can be sold.
Read definitionPerfection (of a security interest)
Perfection (of a security interest) is the step that makes a lender's security effective against other creditors, usually by registering it on the PPSR.
Read definitionSecured loan
A secured loan is a loan backed by an asset the lender can repossess and sell if the borrower defaults, which usually lowers the cost.
Read definitionGo deeper
Sources
This article is general information only and is not financial advice.