HIN Tag ALMOST lost. Check your tag.

hardee

New member
While installing my new front window cover (for towing) yesterday, I happened to find that my HIN tag, a metal strap, stamped with my Hull Identification Number on it was quite loose. So loose that I popped it off easily with a finger nail.

It is mounted above the center window, up under the brow, and behind the twin (oh yea, I have another set of twins :thup :thup :wink: on my boat) horns, so not real easy to reach into. The metal tag looks to be attached with some sort of “glue” that had turned brownish, and hard and had separated (mostly) from the metal, and some from the gel coat. I was able to flake most of it off easily with my fingernail, and the rest quite easily with a flat screwdriver.

Now it may have stayed there for another 50 years, OR, it might have dropped of the next time I came over a steep wave crest and slammed onto the trough. I might have even seen it drop by the window on the way into Davy Jones Locker. That would have really ticked me off.

It is fixed now, reattached with a permanent adhesive, but no screws.

Might be a good idea to check for your HIN tag. Come to think of it, I think I will check the stern one as well. I know some of them are similar tags, and some are indented into the gel coat. Maybe even find a place for one inside too.

Harvey
SleepyC:moon

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ssobol":1pqel9rt said:
I didn't know that there was a HIN number anywhere else but the transom.

All boats are supposed to have a second HIN number in a "hidden place". For the C Dory line it has always been where Harvey found his--up under the eyebrow, in the center.

"After August 1, l984, boat manufacturers were required to display two identical Hull Identification Numbers, one on the outside starboard side of the transom, within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull-to-deck joint, whichever is lowest. ...
The second HIN must be inside the hull in an unexposed location or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. The HIN may not be any any removable part of the boat.
The HIN characters, both inside and outside the hull, must be no smaller than ¼-inch high, but many manufacturers make them much larger. It is illegal for anyone to alter or remove one of these numbers without written permission of the Commandant of the Coast Guard."
 
Interesting. I too didn't know about the requirement for a second number. To my knowledge, I just have the one on the stern. Guess I'll have to look closer next time I'm cleaning the windshields! Colby
 
I had the same thing happen to me as Harvey with the only difference being it was the stern HIN, that I almost lost & had to reglue.

Jay
 
Hunkydory":22f0061w said:
I had the same thing happen to me as Harvey with the only difference being it was the stern HIN, that I almost lost & had to reglue.

Jay

Jay, any idea what they used to hold that stern plate on?

Harvey
SleepyC :moon

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Harvey, it’s been several years so memory off, but it appeared to just be some kind of glue similar or the same as what you described. I imagine they used the same thing for both. I used an epoxy to reset, but don’t remember exactly what type. I’ll be checking the front one now after your heads up.

Jay
 
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