| If you have ever had something stolen, it can really | | | | representatives out to look for the stolen boat (which |
| stink- especially if the item or items that were taken | | | | you have in your possession. It won't matter whether |
| cost you a great deal of money. What if that item | | | | or not you had any prior knowledge of the boat being |
| happened to be your $30,000 boat? Believe it or not, | | | | stolen. The boat will automatically be seized, and you |
| boats get stolen every day- more than you think. In | | | | will be out however much money you originally put |
| states where boating is really popular, such as Florida, | | | | down to purchase the boat. If anything, you may |
| there are approximately 5,000 boats that are reported | | | | actually find yourself defending or trying to fend off |
| stolen each year. However, there are close to one | | | | criminal charges as a result of the scandal. In the |
| million registered boats in that state alone, which mean | | | | meantime, the real criminal in this case (the person who |
| that people aren't even reporting their boats as being | | | | sold you the boat), gets off scott free! All boats come |
| stolen! There are plenty of crafty people out there. | | | | with Hull Identification Numbers (HIN). These numbers |
| What I mean by this, is that there are people out there | | | | are similar to the Vehicle Identification Numbers (VIN) |
| who purchase boats, knowing that they cannot afford | | | | that you see on a vehicle. However, the HIN is molded |
| the insurance for it. The person will usually end up | | | | onto the plastic of the hull, which makes it extremely |
| keeping the boat until they get caught with no | | | | easy to alter. Most thieves can alter this number in less |
| insurance or something else catches up to them. More | | | | than an hour. If you are purchasing a boat from a |
| often than not, boat owners who have insurance but | | | | private owner, make sure you examine the HIN. These |
| who find themselves in some sort of financial trouble | | | | numbers can be altered by grinding out the old |
| will often sell their boat for whatever price they can | | | | numbers and molding a new number in place with a |
| get for it. They will then turn right around and report the | | | | new gel coat. There should be no ripples or waviness |
| boat as being stolen so that they can collect the | | | | around the numbers. Also, be suspicious if the molding |
| insurance money. If you are thinking of purchasing a | | | | isn't smooth and/or the numbers aren't very clear. Also, |
| boat from a private seller, make sure you do your | | | | be wary if the seller has only had the boat for less |
| own research as a responsible boat owner. Most | | | | than a year, if there are any freshly painted areas of |
| people who end up purchasing stolen boats don't even | | | | the boat, if the owner cannot provide records such as |
| realize that they've done so. This is bad news for the | | | | repair invoices. Make sure you contact the state titling |
| person who is trying to buy the boat. You see, what | | | | agency to verify the hull and registration number |
| happens is that the state's title agency will send | | | | against the seller's name and address. |