HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN Decoder — MIC HKM
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with HKM were assigned by the US Coast Guard to HINKEL MARINE DIV of SEAFORD, VA. The company is recorded as out of business since 1982 — 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
HKM
Location
SEAFORD, VA
In business
since 1978
Status
Out of business (1982)
HINKEL MARINE DIV hulls (1978–1982) 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 HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example HKM45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | HKM | Identifies HINKEL MARINE DIV, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | HINKEL MARINE DIV'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 HINKEL MARINE DIV? Check it before you pay.
HINKEL MARINE DIV is recorded out of business (1982) — 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
HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN FAQ
What does a HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "HKM" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to HINKEL MARINE DIV — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. HINKEL MARINE DIV hulls (1978–1982) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is HINKEL MARINE DIV still in business?
USCG records list HINKEL MARINE DIV as out of business since 1982. 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 HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. HINKEL MARINE DIV hulls (1978–1982) 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 HINKEL MARINE DIV 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 "HKM" MIC the same as a HINKEL MARINE DIV serial number?
No. "HKM" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies HINKEL MARINE DIV. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: HINKEL MARINE DIV'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 HINKEL MARINE DIV 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 HINKEL MARINE DIV records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in VA
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, "HINKEL MARINE DIV HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/hkm, last verified 2026-06-15.