CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN Decoder — MIC CKY
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with CKY were assigned by the US Coast Guard to CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD of YOKOSUKA-SHI. The company is recorded as out of business since 1981 — common for older hulls, and useful to know when hunting parts or records. Enter the full 12-character HIN below for build date, model year, and serial — free, no account.
MIC
CKY
Location
YOKOSUKA-SHI
In business
—
Status
Out of business (1981)
CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD hulls (1972–1981) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
How a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example CKY45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | CKY | Identifies CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD's own production number for the specific hull (the letters I, O, Q are never used). |
| 9 | Certification month | D | Month built — A=January … L=December (D = April). |
| 10 | Certification year | 4 | Last digit of the certification year. |
| 11–12 | Model year | 24 | The boat’s model year. |
Free · no account · the HIN is on the transom, upper starboard (right) corner
Buying this CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD? Check it before you pay.
CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD is recorded out of business (1981) — which affects recalls, parts support, and resale. The $9.99 Boat Report adds the full CPSC marine-recall check, a HIN consistency check, a verify-before-you-buy checklist, and the USCG builder record for this hull — one downloadable report, one-time, no subscription. See what's included
CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN FAQ
What does a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "CKY" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD hulls (1972–1981) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD still in business?
USCG records list CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD as out of business since 1981. That's common for older hulls — the HIN still decodes normally, and the out-of-business date helps date the boat and guides parts-hunting toward salvage and owner groups rather than a dealer network.
How do I decode the year on a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD hulls (1972–1981) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984. Enter the full 12-character HIN above and the decoder works it out, including the legacy formats.
Where is the HIN on a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD boat?
On the outside upper-starboard (right) corner of the transom, within two inches of the top — required by 33 CFR 181.29. Since August 1984 an identical duplicate HIN is also molded into an unexposed interior location as an anti-theft measure. Both should match the title, registration, and insurance card exactly.
Is the "CKY" MIC the same as a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD serial number?
No. "CKY" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD's own production number for that specific boat (the letters I, O, and Q are never used). The full 12-character HIN combines the MIC, the serial, and the date code.
Can a CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN tell me the exact model?
Not on its own. A HIN encodes the builder, hull serial, certification month/year, and model year — not the model name or length. Match the decoded year and serial against CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Sources: verified against the USCG Manufacturer Identification Code database (refreshed monthly) · HIN format per 33 CFR Part 181, Subpart C. Reviewed by Sam Reynolds, Lead Researcher, CarWhere. Cite this page: CarWhere, "CLAIR KATOH YACHTS LTD HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/cky, last verified 2026-06-15.