CREST CRAFT HIN Decoder — MIC XCG
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with XCG were assigned by the US Coast Guard to CREST CRAFT of AVOCA, AR. The company is recorded as out of business since 1980 — 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
XCG
Location
AVOCA, AR
In business
—
Status
Out of business (1980)
CREST CRAFT hulls (1972–1980) 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 CREST CRAFT HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example XCG45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | XCG | Identifies CREST CRAFT, assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | CREST CRAFT'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 CREST CRAFT? Check it before you pay.
CREST CRAFT is recorded out of business (1980) — 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
CREST CRAFT HIN FAQ
What does a CREST CRAFT HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "XCG" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to CREST CRAFT — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. CREST CRAFT hulls (1972–1980) predate the current HIN format — expect the legacy straight-year (MMYY) or model-year (M + year + month letter) date codes used 1972–1984.
Is CREST CRAFT still in business?
USCG records list CREST CRAFT as out of business since 1980. 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 CREST CRAFT HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. CREST CRAFT hulls (1972–1980) 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 CREST CRAFT 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 "XCG" MIC the same as a CREST CRAFT serial number?
No. "XCG" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies CREST CRAFT. The hull serial number is characters 4–8: CREST CRAFT'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 CREST CRAFT 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 CREST CRAFT records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
Other builders in AR
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, "CREST CRAFT HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/xcg, last verified 2026-06-15.