Methodology
How we build every CarWhere boat history report
CarWhere boat reports use three public sources — federal HIN format rules (33 CFR 181), the USCG Manufacturer Identification Code database, and CPSC marine-recall records — and do not include title, lien, accident, or stolen-vessel records.
Each CarWhere boat report ($9.99 one-time) is keyed to a boat's 12-character Hull Identification Number and assembled from three free public sources: the federal HIN format rules in 33 CFR 181, the US Coast Guard Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) database, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission marine-recall database. Every section is labeled with its source and the date it was checked, and sections with no data say “no records found” rather than guessing. It is not a title, ownership, accident, or stolen-vessel report. Methodology by Sam Reynolds, Lead Researcher.
Last updated 2026-06-15
Data sources & tiers
| What it covers | Source | Tier | Refresh |
|---|---|---|---|
| HIN format & date codes | 33 CFR Part 181, Subpart C (federal regulation) | Federal | Decode logic implements the rule directly — always current |
| Builder identity & status | USCG Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) database | Federal / public | Mirrored from the public USCG file, refreshed monthly |
| Recalls & safety notices | CPSC SaferProducts.gov recall database | Federal / public | Checked live at report generation, by builder name |
How a report is built, step by step
- Validate and decode the HIN. Check the 12-character format against 33 CFR 181 (no I/O/Q in the serial), then decode the manufacturer code, hull serial, certification month/year, and model year. All three federal formats are handled — current (Aug 1984–present) and the two 1972–1984 legacy layouts. Malformed HINs are rejected with a specific reason before any lookup runs.
- Identify the manufacturer (USCG MIC database). Match the first three characters against our copy of the US Coast Guard Manufacturer Identification Code database (16,000+ builders), returning the builder name, location, business status, and parent company where known.
- Check recalls & safety notices (CPSC). Query the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (SaferProducts.gov) marine-recall database by builder name for boat, engine, and marine-equipment recalls. A clean result is reported as "no records found," and we never assert a specific hull is recalled — recalls are matched by builder, to confirm against your model and serial.
- Assemble & label every section. Render each section with its source name and the date it was checked. Sections with no data say "no records found" plainly. Nothing is inferred or filled in to look more complete than the underlying data.
What “no records found” means
It means the checked databases held no matching record for that HIN on the date shown — not that the boat is guaranteed clean. Records are only as complete as the underlying sources: a theft, salvage sale, or incident that was never reported to a database CarWhere can reach will not appear. Treat a clean section as a positive signal, not a warranty.
What a boat history report cannot prove
- Ownership and liens. Titles and liens are state records. Check them through your state titling agency — a history report never replaces that.
- Condition. It is not a marine survey. Hire a surveyor before buying any used boat of value.
- Hidden or unreported damage. Only reported incidents can appear.
- Private records. Insurance, marina, and some state records are not available to public or commercial datasets.
When the HIN is malformed
If the HIN is not 12 valid characters, the report rejects it with the specific reason (wrong length, illegal character, an I/O/Q in the serial, or a pre-1972 hull that predates the federal requirement) instead of returning a misleading partial decode. Pre-1972 boats often carry non-standard builder numbers; a marine surveyor or your state titling office can identify those.
Why the report is keyed to the HIN
The HIN is the only identifier that follows a boat through its entire life — across owners, states, and registration numbers. Registration (“bow”) numbers change when a boat is sold or re-registered; the HIN is fixed to the hull. The NICB advises buyers to confirm the HIN on the hull exactly matches the title and registration paperwork before purchase.
Pricing transparency
Boat history report: $9.99 one-time, with 90-day web access. Same price for every HIN. No subscription. The HIN decode itself is always free with no account.
Sources
- HIN format, date codes, and display location: 33 CFR Part 181, Subpart C (eCFR)
- Manufacturer identities: USCG Manufacturer Identification Code database
- Recalls & safety notices: CPSC SaferProducts.gov recall database
- Used-boat fraud and HIN-matching guidance: National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB)
Methodology FAQ
What data sources does CarWhere use for boat reports?
Three free public sources: the federal HIN format rules in 33 CFR Part 181, the US Coast Guard Manufacturer Identification Code (MIC) database for builder identity and status, and the US Consumer Product Safety Commission (SaferProducts.gov) marine-recall database.
Does a CarWhere boat report include title or lien records?
No. Title, lien, and ownership records are held state by state and must be checked through your state titling agency. The report is informational research that complements — never replaces — a state title check and a marine survey.
Does CarWhere check stolen-boat or salvage databases?
No. The report does not include theft, salvage, accident, or stolen-vessel checks — those require commercial data we do not sell. Our free Boat History Check guide explains how to run those checks yourself.
What does "no records found" mean?
It means the checked database held no matching record for that HIN on the date shown — not a guarantee the boat is clean. Records are only as complete as the underlying source.
How often is the USCG MIC database refreshed?
Monthly. CarWhere mirrors the public USCG Manufacturer Identification Code file and refreshes it on a monthly cadence; recall checks run live against CPSC at report generation.
Can a CPSC recall match prove my exact hull is recalled?
No. Recalls are matched by builder name, so a match means recalls exist for that builder — confirm your specific model and serial against the official CPSC listing.