HIN number / expired registration

[Re_nat]

Hello! Looks like I might found the one I was looking for but a few things still worry me. The seller provided a strange HIN number which contains only two letters ZJ and 8 digits..
- could you please let me know what would be the right letter code. It is a Cal 3-30.
- can the HIN number contain just 10 character? The boat was made in mid seventies.
The second issue is that the boat has an expired transferable registration in NY. The seller says there will be no problem to transfer the ownership to me.
- is that correct?

Many thanks in advance!

[Greenhand]

HIN numbers depend on the manufacturer, but patterns can often be found online. Another owner may even be able to tell you where to look.

Ownership is dependent on the title, not the registration. Since registration isn't transferable, anyway, the owner just needs to sign the title over to you.

[Re_nat]

Thanks for the prompt reply!
Am I correct that Cal was produced by Jensen Marine? In that case HIN should start with DUA. Can anyone confirm that?
The seller says there is no title cuz New York State does not issue titles for vessels older then 1987. What should I get from the seller then?

[Greenhand]

According to NYS itself:

http://dmv.ny.gov/forms/mv821b.pdf

[Dave Lochner]

The HIN number should be on the registration as well as the boat.

NY did not issue titles for boats until the late '80s. The registration will indicate if the registration is transferrable or not.

If the registration is transferable, all the owner needs to do is sign the registration over to you. There is also a form to complete to address sales tax. Should be on the DMV site.