Find the WIN number of your boat!
Do you want to know which WIN number your boat has and how to find it? Whether you want to sell a boat via Boatauction, insure it, or prepare it for transport, the WIN number is essential. We explain step by step what it is, how it differs from a CIN or HIN, and how you can find it.
What is a WIN number?
A WIN number, also known as a Watercraft Identification Number, is the unique identification number of a boat. You can think of it as your vessel’s ID. It helps to identify exactly which boat it is worldwide. This is useful for sale, insurance, or registration.
When was the WIN number introduced?
In Europe, the WIN number is mandatory for all boats built after June 1998. Boats made before 1998 often do not have a WIN number. Sometimes an older boat was registered later and still received an official number.
For American boats, there is a comparable number: the HIN number (Hull Identification Number). This has been mandatory since 1972 and provides, in 12 characters, information about the manufacturer, serial number, and year of build. Some older or imported boats have a CIN number, an older identification system that is still used to identify the vessel.
What does a WIN number look like?
A WIN number is unique and standardized, usually 12 to 14 characters. For example:
NL-SIG-1234-A-123
NL = country code
SIG = manufacturer/yard (e.g., Sigma)
1234 = serial number
A = month of build (A = January)
1 = last digit of the build year
23 = model year
You’ll usually find this number on an aluminum plate on the transom (rear of the hull), sometimes near the helm station or in the boat’s paperwork.
Where can I find the WIN number of my boat?
Here is a practical checklist to find your WIN number, even if your boat only has a CIN or HIN:
Check the boat itself
- Transom (rear of the hull), usually on the starboard side.
- Wheelhouse or console.
- Capacity plate near the helm seat or on the hull.
Tip: clean the area thoroughly; deposits or weathering can make the plate hard to read.Check your paperwork
Yard invoices or registration documents often include the WIN number.Ask the yard or manufacturer of your vessel
Using the build number, the yard can look up the WIN number.Check older identification numbers
- CIN number: older European boats sometimes only have this number. Compare it with the boat’s paperwork to find the corresponding WIN number.
- HIN number: American boats use this instead of a WIN; on imported boats, the HIN may be the same as the WIN number or can be easily converted.
