VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN Decoder — MIC VAG
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with VAG were assigned by the US Coast Guard to VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC of SAN JUAN CAPI, CA. The company is recorded as out of business since 1983 — 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
VAG
Location
SAN JUAN CAPI, CA
In business
since 1975
Status
Out of business (1983)
VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC hulls (1975–1983) 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example VAG45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | VAG | Identifies VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | VAGABOND SAILBOATS 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC? Check it before you pay.
VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC is recorded out of business (1983) — 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
VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN FAQ
What does a VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "VAG" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC hulls (1975–1983) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC still in business?
USCG records list VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC as out of business since 1983. 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC hulls (1975–1983) 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS 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 "VAG" MIC the same as a VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC serial number?
No. "VAG" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: VAGABOND SAILBOATS 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS 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 VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in CA
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, "VAGABOND SAILBOATS INC HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/vag, last verified 2026-06-15.