KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN Decoder — MIC KND
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with KND were assigned by the US Coast Guard to KINDERFOTO INTL INC of CHARLOTTE, NC. 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
KND
Location
CHARLOTTE, NC
In business
since 1972
Status
Out of business (1981)
KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example KND45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | KND | Identifies KINDERFOTO INTL INC, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | KINDERFOTO INTL INC'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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC? Check it before you pay.
KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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
KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN FAQ
What does a KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "KND" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to KINDERFOTO INTL INC — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC still in business?
USCG records list KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 "KND" MIC the same as a KINDERFOTO INTL INC serial number?
No. "KND" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies KINDERFOTO INTL INC. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: KINDERFOTO INTL INC'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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC 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 KINDERFOTO INTL INC records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in NC
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, "KINDERFOTO INTL INC HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/knd, last verified 2026-06-15.