Dinghy has no HIN

Irie308

Irie308

Well-Known Member
May 28, 2013
2,599
CT
Boat Info
2004 420 DB, GHS Hydraulic Lift
Garmin 8600/Garmin 1222 plus
AB Mares 10 VSX with 30 hp Tohatsu
Engines
Cummins 450C 8.3 L Turbocharged
So, first i'll say bad on me for not noticing, but I picked up a POS dinghy a while back to use as a knock around dink. Its a zodiac aluminum rib. Person i purchased it from never registered it and I didn't either as it only sat at my marina's dinghy dock and we used it to run back and forth to town so that we can avoid driving. It worked fine for this but now my marina wants me to pay $500 to use the dinghy dock. I said hells no as i have my AB CC sitting on my platform for free. I decided to sell the dink this year but I now notice that there is no placard with an HIN. CT requires HIN for registration and I searched on line for what to do if its missing and I'm only finding info for boats that are home built and require a new HIN. Am I screwed? Has anyone else dealt with similar situation. It really isn't a loss as I got my money's worth and the motor is a 2 stroke 9.9 mercy in excellent condition, but I did clean it up and would rather sell it as a package but can't do that without the ability to register.
 
Irie308 said:
I picked up a POS dinghy a while back to use as a knock around dink. Its a zodiac aluminum rib.
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Hey!!??!.... I resemble that remark

That hurt a bit

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Were you able to get any sort of title with it? Or can you make out any original number shadows? I know in NY and MD, you need either a previous reg or title plus a valid matching HIN to get a new registration.
 
I had that problem with a boat trailer. In Indiana you can make up your own Serial number mount it to the trailer and have a cop stop by to verify it..... not sure what other states do but there has to be a work around.....or maybe stop stealing dinghys
 
When I bought a dinghy from West Marine, we didn't put a motor on it. Strictly an oar powered vessel. That didn't require any type of registration. There was some informaton in the owners manual that if I ever wanted to put a motor on it, I had to fill out some forms and get it registered with the State. Then I would have to emblazen the forward hullsides with numbers. This is in Virginia.
 
Skybolt said:
Were you able to get any sort of title with it? Or can you make out any original number shadows? I know in NY and MD, you need either a previous reg or title plus a valid matching HIN to get a new registration.
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Nope, just bill of sale.
 
Pirate Lady said:
34 years of owning a zodiac I have never registered one. Ever, and Never stopped by DNR ever. Just use it and Dont worry, be happy.
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Right, and last year I got a warning for not having my stickers up to date ... Do we live in the same state?
 
Pirate Lady said:
34 years of owning a zodiac I have never registered one. Ever, and Never stopped by DNR ever. Just use it and Dont worry, be happy.
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Same its a great runabout. Our CC is locked in when we dock so it was nice to be able to have this to run around. But for $500 and the yearly increase in slip fees it reduces the appeal of have it at the dinghy dock.
 
Jaybeaux said:
When I bought a dinghy from West Marine, we didn't put a motor on it. Strictly an oar powered vessel. That didn't require any type of registration. There was some informaton in the owners manual that if I ever wanted to put a motor on it, I had to fill out some forms and get it registered with the State. Then I would have to emblazen the forward hullsides with numbers. This is in Virginia.
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Right, a lot of off brand (WM included) don't supply a certificate of origin unless requested. That's what is needed to get registered.
 
Jaybeaux said:
When I bought a dinghy from West Marine, we didn't put a motor on it. Strictly an oar powered vessel. That didn't require any type of registration. There was some informaton in the owners manual that if I ever wanted to put a motor on it, I had to fill out some forms and get it registered with the State. Then I would have to emblazen the forward hullsides with numbers. This is in Virginia.
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Ahhh that’s romantic…and a little too green you tree hugger…… how did you get your wife to row?
 
Well.....DC requires my RIB to be registered even though it stays on the swim platform. It isn't a big deal just numbers and a decal maybe $35 a year.

Progressive also asked for the RIB Hull number as part of their onboarding since I included it in the insurance policy.
 
Skybolt said:
Right, a lot of off brand (WM included) don't supply a certificate of origin unless requested. That's what is needed to get registered.
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THAT's the answer. The previous owner didn't care. Now, you are finding out why he should have.

It's kinda like buying a boat without any paperwork. Take a loss and chalk it up to gaining knowledge.
 
Spoke to Defender who sells Zodiacs and they directed me to the transom bracket behind the motor. I found a 10 digit number but not the HIN. Looks like maybe a serial number. Looks like a 10 digit number with an * on both ends. Ring a bell to anyone? Scoured the web and nothing. I've also sent an email to Zodiac to see if they can point me in the right direction on decipering.
 
Irie308 said:
Spoke to Defender who sells Zodiacs and they directed me to the transom bracket behind the motor. I found a 10 digit number but not the HIN. Looks like maybe a serial number. Looks like a 10 digit number with an * on both ends. Ring a bell to anyone? Scoured the web and nothing. I've also sent an email to Zodiac to see if they can point me in the right direction on decipering.
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Sounds like it is the HIN. Can you post it?
 
Irie308 said:
Spoke to Defender who sells Zodiacs and they directed me to the transom bracket behind the motor. I found a 10 digit number but not the HIN. Looks like maybe a serial number. Looks like a 10 digit number with an * on both ends. Ring a bell to anyone? Scoured the web and nothing. I've also sent an email to Zodiac to see if they can point me in the right direction on decipering.
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The Duffy boat I bought at auction recently had never been registered and I thought it was going to be a hassle to get it titled. The DMV in CA is a nightmare. The normal procedure is you have to first go to the DMV who then requires you to take the vehicle or vessel to the CHP for a "vin verification." Only after the verification will the DMV process the application. With the Duffy, I just told them the number. They confirmed it had never been registered, processed my application and gave me a title, the "CF" number and never required the verification. Maybe run with that 10 digit number and see if they will title it.
 
Pirate Lady said:
If you dont have stickers they cant be out of date. Seriously though, you are in a busier area than me. Baltimore County Marine Police are only looking for drunks. Down there you probably encounter more CG and DNR.
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Yes the DNR operate out of my marina and the harbor police have a dock directly across form it. You might have a point to the Middle River/Patapsco River area is quite busy with a lot of drinking and boating. But man do they go out of their way to ticket for anything they can.
 
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