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HIN Deciphering help

Mitchell S Allen

Mitchell S Allen

Active Member
Merry Christmas All!

I'm attempting to complete forms for USCG Documentation for Sonata. A result of a horrific paperwork fiasco when trying to clear out of Mexico recently. They didn't want to accept California or any state registration any longer. Or the boats Title as ownership docs. Plus other "new" requirements they don't publicize.
I don't want to go through anything similar again.
Anyway!
I need to figure out the date, month and year, of build, as well as the city where she was built. I know Florida, but?
I've searched here with no luck.
Anyone?

HIN: MRY33030M2H383

Thank you,
Mitchell
 
Hi Mitchell - I thought the M (6th from right), meant the HIN used a "Model Year" format. And the next 2 digits were the year manufactured. Our next 2 numbers are 83, and she was built in 83.

You only seem to have 1 number after the M. Maybe the 2 means 82?

Are you sure you copied the number correctly? I would have expected M82

Pretty sure the 383 at end means it's a 383, and the H means month of production was March.

Cheers,
-Mark

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I'm pretty sure they were all made in Largo, Florida. At least before the Morgan-Catalina versions (1985) - I'm not sure where those were made.
 
Mitchell - I did the USCG documentation process about 8 years ago. Actually BoatUS had a service that helped me. I don't know if they still do that or not. It was handy at the time because I was super busy with work, and it was nice to off-load that piece. They were good & quite responsive.

If you need any other info, I can probably dig up the paperwork I submitted.
Good luck!

PS: not that it matters, but it looks like you are hull #30 of that year.
 
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Yes, I'll check with them. I just want to get this right the first time.
Indeed hull 30. But on another thread, somewhere, I mentioned the "discrepancy". Sonata has had a sail number of 029 as far back as I can trace Info.
Nearly every overhead panel I've dropped, actually all of them are numbered 029 in hand written marker. The only component I've found with 030 written on it was the cabinetry I pulled behind the stove to install the LPG hose. Somebody at the plant screwed up I guess.
Strange though it really doesn't matter.
Mitchell
 
I defer to Jim - Saint Petersburg, Florida. Looks pretty close to Largo, FL, but I'm on the wrong coast to be an authority on that!
 
There are frequent questions about decoding HINs on this forum, so I took a stab at explaining them in the 'Reference' section.

If anyone has time, please take a look at this and tell me if it makes sense ...
Thanks!
-Mark

Decoding Hull Identification Number (HIN) for Morgan 382, 383, 384

Translating HIN, Hull Identification Numbers, Hull Numbers. This info is for all the Morgan 382, 383, and 384s that were produced. I'm not sure, but I would guess the earlier "Charlie Morgan" and later Morgan-Catalina models might be the same. The HIN is located on the aft transom, starboard...
www.morgan38.org
 
You can call the USCG documentation center. They are helpful and responsive. I am surprised about an issue with not accepting state title as proof of ownership. When I did mine in 2016, I used the state title and that was no problem. I had to fill out a simplified measurement form to estimate the tonnage. And proof of build location is not needed unless you intend to use the boat for trade (including charter). What they want is the original proof of build document from Morgan when the boat was first built, which in my case is long gone. Simply telling them where it was built is not enough. They simply put a notation on my document that the vessel is is recreational only. My understanding is that this is correctable if I want to go through the effort later. I guess there is a way to establish proof other than that original document.

Mixing up parts was probably common and I wouldn't worry about it. The parts are all the same, and with several boats being built at a time, they likely just grabbed what was ready. Maybe your boat needed to be delivered to the customer first, and parts for #29 had already been made. The ONLY number that matters is the one on the hull. Make sure that is correct and consistent on all your documents, if the HIN on the hull, your state title, and your application are not all the same, for sure you will have problems. Not only now, but if you ever need to sell it.
 
Hi Warren,
It's not USCG not accepting the state documents. (I will call USCG for a little guidance. Thank you).
The issue was the Port Capitan's office and agents in Ensenada, MX not accepting my paperwork. Title and California registration. And later the tonnage listed became a problem too.

The first I became aware of the changes was when we landed on their dock. I'd researched this and state issued docs were accepted at that time.

Apparently their rules had changed. They also looked at my copy of Sonata's "pink slip", or title, and refused that because they thought the date was expired! The date we had legally bought her. No amount of discussion about these title docs never expiring would help.

All I wanted to do was legally clear out of Mexico. We were already there legally. We could have just continue to sail home. That could create problems if I ever sail back to MX.
Three days later, we were on our way north.

We finally got through the whole mess with the help of the wonderful staff at Baja Naval Boat Yard. They were truly miracle workers. I cant say enough good of what they did for us.
And what a clean, and efficiently run yard! Beautiful workmanship too.

My statement about Sonata's parts mis-numbered was just an interesting aside. And I imagine your thoughts on the mixed up numbers to be accurate.
I've actually found very few that match the HIN. I'm not concerned and agree, the only number that matters is on the transom.

Anyway, i believe USCG documentation will be a positive going forward.

Happy New Year
Mitchell
 
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