Tracing history by registration number??

[W_Guy]

If I have the original registration numbers on the hull of an old boat (MN), is there a way to find out the year, model, serial number, perhaps owners name at the time? Or does this fall under the privacy act??

thanks
Verne

 

[Bob_VT]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Since the registration number is issued by your State ......you would have to ask them. In VT you can no longer do a trace such as previous owner unless it is for Law Enforcement

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

In MN, does anyone have the number of the agency I might contact to see if that information is available? (I'm not in that state). Obviously, I would love to have a copy of the registration and original title on file, but any information at all would be helpful. It is a one owner boat but I have no way of contacting the original owner. (it's in a dealer's hands now who is not very forthcoming with information).

Verne

PS: If anyone else has an older boat from MN, maybe you could tell me what year you think the number is from. It's a 4 digit number beginning with "28". The suffix is "BA".

 

[woody66912]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Contact MN, DNR all they can say is no.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

first advice: don't deal with a dealer who "isn't forthcoming." If he doesn't have a clear title in his hands--and you see it--walk away. In fact in some states it's illegal for a dealer to sell a vehicle if he doesn't have the title; maybe boats are the same? And is there a trailer involved?

Is the dealer in MN? When you talk to MN DNR mention this guy selling a boat with no title and see what they say.

Every state is different, but in Virginia, AFAIK, you can't just call up and ask but you can get that info if you are in the process of dealing with a boat abandoned on your property or left in your storage/shop with unpaid storage/repair bills. You can't buy one and then say it's abandoned, etc. However, in your case, IF this dealer were honest, he has the means to clear the title. Put it all on him; do nothing and spend nothing yourself.

bottom line is that if your seller, a dealer, won't tell you what he's selling, you ain't buying.

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

... It is a one owner boat but I have no way of contacting the original owner. (it's in a dealer's hands now who is not very forthcoming with information)...

...is there a way to find out the year, model, serial number, perhaps owners name at the time? Or does this fall under the privacy act??

The Year, Make, Model and Serial Number are all revealed in the HIN, it is located on the Hull near the Starboard Side Transom.

The seller is likely using the Dealer as a Broker because he does NOT want to be contacted by potential buyers.
The previous owners name and title number will be revealed on your new title AFTER you buy the boat.

 

[RogersJetboat454]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Don't think this has been asked, but did you ASK the dealer if he actually has the title for the boat?
I don't think we can just assume the dealer is selling the boat with out a title. He may just be trying to keep the original owners info confidential.

I'm looking at it from the point of view of buying a used car. If you walked on to a used car lot, and were interested in a particular car, it probably wouldn't seem normal if you were asking the salesman for the personal information on the person who owned the car before.

 

[JoLin]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

The seller is likely using the Dealer as a Broker because he does NOT want to be contacted by potential buyers.

That's one of the reasons I used a broker to sell my last boat. I was done with the boat and wanted to get on with my life, so I paid the man to deal with the shoppers. I'd have been pretty p.o.'d if he gave out my contact info without my permission.

Jetboat's analogy to the used car dealer is a good one.

My .02

 

[UncleWillie]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Also, if the dealer took ownership of the boat as part of a sale;
The dealer is now the present owner and will be the name on your new title as the previous owner.
That would technically make you the third owner.

And once again;
The Year, Make, Model and Serial Number are all revealed in the HIN, it is located on the Hull near the Starboard Side Transom.

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

To answer some questions and comments, the dealer bought the boat from the original owner, along with other vehicles. He deals with vehicles (not boats), but he had to buy it with the deal, therefore he wants to sell the boat. He may or may not have a title to the boat and I know he doesn't have one for the trailer. I have researched the HIN through the Mariners Museum in Va and they have no record of it. It was produced just after CC took possession of the Thompson plant in Cortland, NY and they initiated their serial number (HIN) system as opposed to the Thompson system. I'm certain the dealer didn't retitle the boat in his name. (car dealers don't do that; they just flip the titles to the new owner). Back in '63 & '64 it's possible that titles wern't issued to boats in MN.
My only clue is the registration number on the hull. That number will lead me to the facts about the boat, but I need to know if that information is available to me through some source. (the original owner was in a nursing home at the time of purchase by the dealer) I guess his family decided it was time for him to liquidate his collection.

Verne

 

[southkogs]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

If it was me, I wouldn't touch it without a title (in my state a registration or bill of sale from the PO might work too) showing the dealer as the owner or purchaser. Legally, it's waaaaayyyyy to messy without.

I gather it's a 60's model Thompson ... what kinda' shape is this boat in? Are ya' looking to own a vintage boat, or just something for fun?

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

If it was me, I wouldn't touch it without a title (in my state a registration or bill of sale from the PO might work too) showing the dealer as the owner or purchaser. Legally, it's waaaaayyyyy to messy without.

I gather it's a 60's model Thompson ... what kinda' shape is this boat in? Are ya' looking to own a vintage boat, or just something for fun?[/QUOTE]

YES. It is very vintage and unique and would be a lot of fun. It's all original and in usable condition. Needs paint.
A few years ago I bought a '60 Thompson from the inherited owner of his (deceased) uncle's boat. His uncle was the original owner and there was no title to the boat. He went through hoops through IL to get a title issued to him before he sold it to me. Was MN a title state in '63 or '64? That's why I posted the first 2 digits of the registration number, asking if anyone knew what year that range of numbers was from.

thanks
Verne

 

[southkogs]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Best as I can figure it Minnesota became a title state in 1991, requiring boats built after 1980 to be titled. Contact your MN DNR and check that information. It's possible they will register that boat on a bill of sale only from the dealer.

 

[W_Guy]

Re: Tracing history by registration number??

Just thought I"d mention that I contacted the MN DNR today and got all the information I need from the reg# (other than the owner personal info, of course). The dealer must have re-registered it because it's valid through 2014 and there is a history of one previous owner (the original) since new.
Thanks for the suggestions everyone.