PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN Decoder — MIC YWX
Hull Identification Numbers beginning with YWX were assigned by the US Coast Guard to PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN). The company is recorded as out of business since 1991 — 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
YWX
Location
USA
In business
since 1991
Status
Out of business (1991)
PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) hulls (1991–1991) all use the current HIN format: a month letter (A=January…L=December), a certification-year digit, then two model-year digits.
How a PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN breaks down
A current-format (1984–present) Hull Identification Number is 12 characters. Using the example YWX45678D424 (illustrative):
| Characters | Segment | In example | What it identifies |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1–3 | Manufacturer (MIC) | YWX | Identifies PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN), assigned by the US Coast Guard. |
| 4–8 | Hull serial number | 45678 | PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN)'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 PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN)? Check it before you pay.
PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) is recorded out of business (1991) — 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
PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN FAQ
What does a PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN look like?
It starts with the three characters "YWX" — the Manufacturer Identification Code the US Coast Guard assigned to PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) — followed by a 5-character hull serial and a 4-character date code, 12 characters total. PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) hulls (1991–1991) all use the current HIN format: a month letter (A=January…L=December), a certification-year digit, then two model-year digits.
Is PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) still in business?
USCG records list PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) as out of business since 1991. 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 PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN?
On current-format HINs the last two characters are the model year and the 9th–10th encode the certification month and year. PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) hulls (1991–1991) all use the current HIN format: a month letter (A=January…L=December), a certification-year digit, then two model-year digits. Enter the full 12-character HIN above and the decoder works it out, including the legacy formats.
Where is the HIN on a PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) 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 "YWX" MIC the same as a PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) serial number?
No. "YWX" is the Manufacturer Identification Code — characters 1–3 of the HIN — that identifies PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN). The hull serial number is characters 4–8: PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN)'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 PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) 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 PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) records, the title, or a marine survey to confirm the exact model and configuration.
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, "PUFFIN BOATS, LTD (SEE PFN) HIN Decoder," carwhere.com/hin-decoder/ywx, last verified 2026-06-15.