Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

[MastrHiram]

Hi. New to this forum. I have recently acquired a 1986 Fabuglas Cutlass. I have found two oddities about its hull ID. First, the number on the transom doesn't quite match the number on the registration certificate. The registration starts with GIF and ends with 0, where the HIN on the transom starts MGIF with no 0 at the end.

The oddest part is that the MIC code "MGI" refers to a company called Astro/Procraft and not Fabuglas. Also, as best I can tell, Fabuglas's MIC was "FAB".

What's going on here? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

[tpenfield]

Re: Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

It could be change in ownership along the way and the 'new' owners used their MIC prefix, rather than the original FabuGlas MIC.

You can Google the MIC database (USCG) and download it as an excel file, then do a bit of searching. They often have notes for each manufacturer, when they change hands/merge/go out of business, etc.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

The FAB identification was not used until AFTER your boat was built..... so that would not apply.

Checking the USCG MIC database MGI was a conglomeration of many manufacturers. By chance is there a town listed on the data plate?

Look at this too http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Fabuglas__Cutlass/bp/43br1170s0m11212

Do you have the right paperwork to get it registered?

 

[MastrHiram]

Re: Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

The FAB identification was not used until AFTER your boat was built..... so that would not apply.

Checking the USCG MIC database MGI was a conglomeration of many manufacturers. By chance is there a town listed on the data plate?

Look at this too http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Fabuglas__Cutlass/bp/43br1170s0m11212

Do you have the right paperwork to get it registered?

I need to have a Marine Patrol officer come fill out a form before I can register the boat. I am just wanting toknow why a Fabuglas boat would have a different manufacturer's MIC. And, yes, I'm aware of the Coast Guard's database. That's where I got what little data I have.

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

Well examine the dates on the USCG MIC and you will see that the boat was built after

Fabuglas was out of business....... well maybe.... what are the last two digits in the HIN which will determine the correct year.

I imagine if you have a bill of sale and not knowing which state you are in (some states require titles) you might just get an approval or a new number issued.

I registered a 1986 Starcraft (​

http://forums.iboats.com/showthread.php?t=329927&highlight=starcraft)

that was missing the HIN here in VT and they issued me a number and declared the boat a 1970 for registration purposes. It was a hull that was going to be scrapped so it had been stripped.

Bottom line is get the paperwork straight before you invest any more money.

​

 

[MastrHiram]

Re: Boat ID question. HIN doesn't match manufacturer.

I don't think I'll have any problem registering the boat. I just want to get to the bottom of this for curiosity's sake, and also to try to get some history on this boat.