Older Houseboat HIN Numbers - where to locate and how to identify Hull ID

by Paul

I am buying a Crest 1973 10x35 houseboat. The title will be transferred from Missouri to Texas. Texas requires a photo or pencil "rubbing" of the VIN or HIN plate. I am in Texas, The boat is in Missouri. The seller of the boat cannot find this plate. Help !!!

Thanks for any help, Paul

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Reply - Answer

Well Paul, sorry to hear about your difficulties in locating the HIN on your houseboat.

Since your houseboat is a "1973" it may very fall into a pre-1972 model, or post-1972 model year. On some of the older houseboats, it is not actually a pop-riveted plate, yet is actually stamped into the hull material.

If you look at the pictures above, you can see a sample of a pre-1972 HIN, a sample of a 1972 and later, and also HIN's from 1984 onward.

On houseboats in the 1970's era, manufacturers often just stamped the 12 digit number into the hull, and typically on the transom, on the starboard side (right rear).

I have however seen them stamped on different areas on the hull(s), and even on the interior forward bulkhead, so you may need a thorough examination.

If my memory serves me right, the 1973 Crest is a dual pontoon design, and the HIN number is visible from the outside on the end of the starboard pontoon (a few inches from the top)

It is often easier to find the HIN's if the boat is on blocks as you generally will find it easier by getting down to eye-level to inspect the whole hull.

On a side note, there are many potential buyers who want to know a boats history, and this article covers how you can track the HIN's on boats.


Lastly, hopefully some of our readers and visitors will share and post comments about the location of the Crest houseboat HIN numbers.

Feel free to use the "Click here to post comments." link found near the bottom of this page.

Thanks again for sharing, IAN from all-about-houseboats

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