EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN Decoder — MIC VEF
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with VEF were assigned by the US Coast Guard to EXPLORER INDUSTRIES of PLEASANT LAKE, IN. 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
VEF
Location
PLEASANT LAKE, IN
In business
since 1979
Status
Out of business (1983)
EXPLORER INDUSTRIES hulls (1979–1983) 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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example VEF45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | VEF | Identifies EXPLORER INDUSTRIES, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | EXPLORER INDUSTRIES'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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES? Check it before you pay.
EXPLORER INDUSTRIES 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
EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN FAQ
What does a EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "VEF" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to EXPLORER INDUSTRIES — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. EXPLORER INDUSTRIES hulls (1979–1983) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is EXPLORER INDUSTRIES still in business?
USCG records list EXPLORER INDUSTRIES 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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. EXPLORER INDUSTRIES hulls (1979–1983) 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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES 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 "VEF" MIC the same as a EXPLORER INDUSTRIES serial number?
No. "VEF" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies EXPLORER INDUSTRIES. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: EXPLORER INDUSTRIES'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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES 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 EXPLORER INDUSTRIES records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in IN
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, "EXPLORER INDUSTRIES HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/vef, last verified 2026-06-15.