KANE AND BENSON HIN Decoder — MIC KEF
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with KEF were assigned by the US Coast Guard to KANE AND BENSON of KAILUA-KONA, HI. 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
KEF
Location
KAILUA-KONA, HI
In business
since 1977
Status
Out of business (1981)
KANE AND BENSON hulls (1977–1981) 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 KANE AND BENSON HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example KEF45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | KEF | Identifies KANE AND BENSON, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | KANE AND BENSON'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 KANE AND BENSON? Check it before you pay.
KANE AND BENSON 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
KANE AND BENSON HIN FAQ
What does a KANE AND BENSON HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "KEF" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to KANE AND BENSON — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. KANE AND BENSON hulls (1977–1981) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is KANE AND BENSON still in business?
USCG records list KANE AND BENSON 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 KANE AND BENSON HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. KANE AND BENSON hulls (1977–1981) 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 KANE AND BENSON 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 "KEF" MIC the same as a KANE AND BENSON serial number?
No. "KEF" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies KANE AND BENSON. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: KANE AND BENSON'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 KANE AND BENSON 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 KANE AND BENSON records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in HI
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, "KANE AND BENSON HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/kef, last verified 2026-06-15.