What Determines What The "vessel Registration Number" Will Be?

[JonBailey]

Is this something the various state boat registration agencies, DMV in some states, assign at random or is it based upon information within the HIN?

 

If one lives in California and their boat registration number were to be "CF 1579 AB", would the "1579" part come from information on the HIN?

 

Would that "1579" in the example above be the serial number portion of the HIN? 

 

What determines the final two digits of the vessel registration number? The "AB" in the example above. 

 

When one buys a used boat, does the same registration number, displayed on the hull near the bow on either side, transfer to the new owner? 

 

The first two letters of your vessel registration number are always state abbreviations. California boats always begin with "CF". 

 

 

Why is this information important to me?

 

 

I am a numerologist, that is why. I have number superstitions, indeed. 

 

As a condition for purchasing my next boat, I require that she have a "5" within the registration number but

NOT 3 "6"'s in a row. 

[WIGuide]

It probably varies by state, but I think the number is just randomly assigned by the state DNR. If the boat is continuously registered in the same state, the registration numbers will stay the same, and also when the registration is transferred it should stay the same as well.

 

On a side note, you should ditch your superstition. Do yourself a favor and buy a Ranger in 500 series or one of the new Z series. That way your boat has a 5 on it and it's a whole lot easier to predict that what you're asking for. Besides, you'll have one heck of a nice boat.
 

[slonezp]

In the state of IL the registration # stays with the hull as long as it remains in IL no matter how many owners.

[Wayne P.]

The first boat got CF 1

The 10,000th boat got CF 0001 A

The 37,000th boat got CF 0001 AA

etc.

[JonBailey]

In the state of IL the registration # stays with the hull as long as it remains in IL no matter how many owners.

Actually, the reg. number is not important to me on a NEW boat any more since I will only buy used anyway and that way I will KNOW what the reg. number is. I really want a Crestliner 16' like the Kodiak with a deeper floor inside fore and aft. The Bass Tracker 16 has a high platform deck on either end and not much space on deck for bulky items like my two Labs, the portable loo bucket, extra fuel containers, a big cooler, the folding toilet tent and a buddy.