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