Buying a boat is a huge compromise and often we find some unbelievably good deals online but is it really a good deal? Unfortunately many times these bargains are actually time bombs disguised as your dream boat. In this article, we will break it down what is the HIN and PPSR, how to check each of them and why is so important to check it.
What is the HIN?
HIN or Hull Identification Number is generally a code of 14 characters containing letters and numbers which determines the country, manufacturer, serial number and date of manufacture.
In Australia is compulsory to have a HIN in your boat and most Australian boats will have it attached or stamped into the hull. HINs for newer boats are usually provided by the manufacturer. Older boats that do not have a HIN can get one from a boat code provider.
The HIN is usually required to be shown on the State certificate of registration.
What is the PPSR?
The PPSR is the single, national online register that covers the whole of Australia. The PPSR is where you can check if has any finance owing on it before you close the deal. You can also check the motor and trailer separately. When a bank or financier provides secured finance for a boat, trailer or outboard motor, they will usually register their interest on the PPSR.
How to check HIN?
A HIN, sometimes called the boat code, is the nautical equivalent of the VIN (vehicle identification number) on a car. To check your HIN simply inspect your hull, the HINs are commonly located on the back of the boat. The 14 characters should identify the country, manufacturer, serial number and date of manufacture respectively. The HIN format changed through time, boats manufactured after August 1984 use the current format but boats manufactured prior to this date use a different format.
Current HIN format – AU-TRX48119C765
| AU- | TRX | 48119 | C7 | 65 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| country of origin | manufacturer’s identity code (MIC) | serial number | month and year of manufacture | model year |
| Australia | TELWATER (USA) LLC | unique identifier | March 2007 | 1965 |
Pre August 1984 – ABC 67689 B6 06
| ABC | 67689 | B606 |
|---|---|---|
| manufacturer’s identity code (MIC) | serial number | certification date |
pre 1984 examples
Reference letter for each month
| Month | 1972-1984 | 1984+ |
|---|---|---|
| January | F | A |
| February | G | B |
| March | H | C |
| April | I | D |
| May | J | E |
| June | K | F |
| July | L | G |
| August | A | H |
| September | B | I |
| October | C | J |
| November | D | K |
| December | E | L |
How to check PPSR?
To check that there is no existing security interest on the boat you should search the PPSR.
The PPSR website is easy to navigate and informative, to find out if a security interest has been registered against the boat you will need your debit/credit card information, HIN number and your email address.
For (watercraft) search: Watercraft PPSR
For (outboard motors) search: Outboard PPSR
The PPSR does not list outboard motors as watercraft. If you wish to search for security interests on an outboard motor, you need to search under the name of the person (searching by individual grantors) or by the organisation selling you the motor (searching by organisation grantors).
If a security interest has been registered against the vehicle, it may not be debt-free and may be repossessed, even after you have bought it.
Inspect your boat/SeaWorthy Certificate
After checking the HIN and PPSR which are precautionary steps, it’s time to check the boat’s condition. Having your boat inspected by a professional inspector will ensure all aspects of your boat are up and running properly. SeaWorthy detailed report will show you all the “love” or “abuse” the boat had previously and give you peace of mind when buying, selling or insuring.