Hi folks, I received a message from a paddler that finally found a kayak he wanted, purchased it and has been buying basic equipment. Then he read an article about "Lost and Found" kayaks that made him concerned about the fact his boat does not have the serial number in the location where the manufacturer told him it should be. Seems I recall that some outfitters will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. Is that correct? This paddler is now attempting to find information about lost or stolen kayaks in the Florida area to be sure he can paddle his kayak without concern. He says "I very much want to get in it for the first time, but won't as long as I feel there's a chance that it may have been stolen. As it is, It sits on my living room floor just begging to go! If it had a tail to wag, I'm sure it would be doing so." Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Thanks! Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
My wifey and I received our brand spanking new kayaks from Necky, all cocooned in plastic and paper. Her yak had a serial number on the stern carved into the seam of the boat. My kayak did not have a number. I called the retail company, who called the distributor to get the S/N. So the boat may be ok. I am happy to see two people this week who have a conscious and character. Hope this helps.... Dan McCarty *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> snip> > ...fact his boat does not have the serial number in the location where > the manufacturer told him it should be. Seems I recall that some outfitters > will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. > Is that correct? Depends on the state. Here in Oklahoma, I can not legally sell a boat without the hull number whether it's part of my rental fleet or new. I see no benefit in removing a hull number unless it is circumstantial to a repair and then I would stamp the hull number somewhere less prone to compromise but where you could still take a pencil etch of the number. Under the seat works well or forward and below the foot/rudder rail. Still, most states don't require as strict of licensing as Oklahoma and many dealers ignore the laws here but to me the hassle is relatively minor compared to possible fines and I think it protects the consumer in a couple of ways. They can literally do a title search (yes, my boats all have titles just like your cars) of that particular boat and it provides proof of ownership if it is stolen. Please no flames about the laws, I just try to obey them.... I have had people point out to me that my boats were the only "legal" ones on the water. I have had a customer stopped that was very grateful the boat was legal because they would have gotten a ticket otherwise... OTOH I have had people make fun of the little boats with the big numbers...but it's also been great for striking up conversations in far places. I do intend to take my business with me to Texas when I relocate down there (yes, I'll rent SKs in the CRP area once I get established probably early summer '00) but I do intend to continue registration of the boats because I think it enhances proof of ownership for the consumer. At least you have something to take to the police or insurance company if your boat is ripped off. Is there a better way?? Alice *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
-----Original Message----- From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net> >Hi folks, > >I received a message from a paddler that finally found a kayak he wanted, >purchased it and has been buying basic equipment. Then he read an >article about "Lost and Found" kayaks that made him concerned about the >fact his boat does not have the serial number in the location where >the manufacturer told him it should be. Seems I recall that some outfitters >will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. >Is that correct? I have never heard of this and suspect that removing or altering the Coast Guard number is illegal. This paddler is now attempting to find information about >lost or stolen kayaks in the Florida area to be sure he can paddle his >kayak without concern. He should have no trouble paddling it but if it turns out to be stolen he better not sell it. > >He says "I very much want to get in it for the first time, but won't as >long as I feel there's a chance that it may have been stolen. As it is, >It sits on my living room floor just begging to go! If it had a tail to >wag, I'm sure it would be doing so." > >Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. It would help if I knew what brand the kayak was. The lack of serial # could just be a production oversight by the manufacturer (and could cost the manufacturer $50 per kayak) or it could be a plastic kayak with the serial number etched in but hard to see. I once failed to find the serial number on a stolen kayak the police had picked up after I spotted it and it matched the description of one seen being towed by a rubber raft (that was enough to make me suspicous--who would paddle the raft and tow the kayak). It might be a kayak made from a rip-off mold and not have come from the manufacturer. If you could have this paddler contact me (before Sunday) I could give them a pretty good idea of how to guess if they bought a stolen kayak. The paddler could ask the seller where they bought it "So I can get parts". If you don't know how to get ahold of the seller I would be a lot more suspicious that it might be stolen. Until they have some real good evidence that it is stolen I wouldn't worry to much about it but I appreciate their concern. I assume you have checked the "Stolen Kayaks" database on our website (there is an Eddyline Merlin XT and LT stolen from a dealer in Florida on it). They could also call the police jurisdictions in their area to see if a kayak like theirs has been reported stolen. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> > >will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. > >Is that correct? > I have never heard of this and suspect that removing or altering the Coast > Guard number is illegal. Coast Guard number? What coast guard number? > I assume you have checked the "Stolen Kayaks" database on our website Yup, I gave out the URL on GASP. Thanks, Matt. I'll pass along your message. Cheers, Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
> From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> >> I have never heard of this and suspect that removing or altering the >> Coast Guard number is illegal. Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net> wrote: >Coast Guard number? What coast guard number? Same thing as Hull ID no. (HIN) The 12-digit number the manufacturer puts on the hull. The first 3 digits are the manufacturer's code, and the last 9 are a unique number that the mfgr gives your hull. As opposed to the number your state registration bureau (in Montana, it's MT ### ###) might make you put in big high-contrast letters on the bow. Shawn -- 0 © 1999 ____©/______ ~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^\ ,/ /~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^~^ Shawn W. Baker 0 http://www.missoulaconcrete/shawn/ *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
>> >will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. >> >Is that correct? > >> I have never heard of this and suspect that removing or altering the Coast >> Guard number is illegal. > >Coast Guard number? What coast guard number? > All vessels in the US (and from other parts of the world) are supposed to carry a unique serial number as defined by the USCG. The first part is a manufacturer's code, followed by other info. You can find a listing of this at http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/gnab/search.htm Here you can find a manufacturer's name and address and if it was taken over by some other company, who that was and where to contact them. Joe P. *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
The "Coast Guard number" or HIN (hull identification number) consists of 3 letters that denote the manufacturer followed by 5 digits or letters of the manufacturers choosing, followed by a letter A through L denoting the month of the year the kayak was manufactured. The next number is the last number in the year. The last two numbers are the boats "model year", most kayak companies use the year of manufacturer. So the HIN of a kayak we finished today would be MSQ?????J999 where the ?'s are numbers or letters (or a combination we choose). This number is to be placed on the right side of the transom or within one foot of the stern on the starboard hull of a boat. On a kayak it is usually just above or below the seam. Later boats should also have this number written inside someplace with indelible ink. it might be a little obscure to avoid detection by someone who has removed or altered the HIN on the stern. All boats sold in the U.S. are required to have this number on them. Matt Broze http://www.marinerkayaks.com -----Original Message----- From: Jackie Fenton <jackie_at_intelenet.net> To: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net <paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net> Date: Thursday, October 07, 1999 3:44 AM Subject: Re: [Paddlewise] serial numbers >> From: "Matt Broze" <mkayaks_at_oz.net> > >> >will remove serial numbers when they sell some of their rental fleet. >> >Is that correct? > >> I have never heard of this and suspect that removing or altering the Coast >> Guard number is illegal. > >Coast Guard number? What coast guard number? > >> I assume you have checked the "Stolen Kayaks" database on our website > >Yup, I gave out the URL on GASP. > >Thanks, Matt. I'll pass along your message. > >Cheers, > >Jackie *************************************************************************** PaddleWise Paddling Mailing List - All postings copyright the author and not to be reproduced outside PaddleWise without author's permission Submissions: paddlewise_at_lists.intelenet.net Subscriptions: paddlewise-request_at_lists.intelenet.net Website: http://www.paddlewise.net/ ***************************************************************************
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