Typhoon HIN

[Tstec]

Can anyone tell me what the K in my boats HIN means? My HIN number begins CPDK. Thanks

[Sea Hunt Video]

Several years ago Good Old Boat ("GOB") published an excellent article on hull identification numbers (HINs).

As GOB explains it, the characters (numbers or letters) in the "model-year format" which existed prior to 01 January 1984 are decoded as follows:

Character positions 1, 2 & 3 of the HIN are the manufacturer's identification code and assigned by the US Government;

Character positions 4, 5, 6, 7 & 8 of the HIN are an alpha-numeric serial number established by the manufacturer;

Character position 9 of the HIN could be the letter "M" if the sailboat was built before 01 January 1984. The letter "M" signifies the manufacturer is using the "model-year format" not the "numerical straight-year format";

Character positions 10 & 11 are the year of manufacture; and

Character position 12 is a letter indicating the month of manufacture in the "model-year format". Interestingly, this lettering starts with the letter "A" signifying August; "B" is September; "C" is October, etc.

Before 01 January 1984, if a manufacturer wanted to, he (or she) could alternatively use the "numerical straight year format" instead of the "model-year format". Then characters are decoded as follows:

1-8 are the same as above for the "model-year format";

9, 10, 11 & 12 would be the month and year of manufacture. Instead of an "M" at character 9 signifying "model-year format" there would be a number as part of the month (2 digits), followed by year (2 digits).

Post 01 January 1984 you could use another third format which is called the "new format" (catchy phrase). In the "new format", the characters are decoded as follows:

1-8 are the same as above for the "model-year format";

9 is the month of manufacture - "A" is January, "B" is February, etc.

10 is a number digit signifying the last digit of the year of manufacture or certification

11 and 12 are the model year.

I hope this helps a little.

Perhaps you could post the complete HIN for you Cape Dory Typhoon.

[Oswego John]

Tstec,

Probably stands for Cape Dory Typhoon, open cockpit, with cuddy.

There are three types of Typhoons.

Type D is the Weekender with full cuddy

Type G is the open cockpit with no cuddy

Type K is the open cockpit with small storage cuddy

Good luck,
O J

[Tstec]

Thanks for the help, great information. My Typhoon has a full cuddy. Hull number is 1771. The full HIN is CPDK0060M81A.

[RLW]

My Ty is CPDD0995M75K.

If I understand (with some interpretation) the GOB info properly, I would apply it as follows:

CPD
for Cape Dory,

D
for Weekender,

0995
for hull number,

M
for Model Year format election,

75
for model year, and

K
for June manufacture. Make sense?

[Tstec]

It makes since when applied to your boat but the K following CPD does not accurately describe my boat. I have a weekender and K apparently is meant to indicate a Typhoon with a small cuddy. Can K ever stand for a Typhoon weekender? Or do you know of any other cases in which K was used to identify a weekender?

[RLW]

Tstec...

Your hull number does not appear in your HIN either.

I have a 1980's Dyer Dhow that had HIN problems that interfered with state registration. I had to go through a process to get it corrected, including a photo of the embossed HIN from the hull. Are you referencing a document for your HIN, or are you taking it directly from the transom?

The HIN on my Typhoon's transom is difficult to read due to past and present painting of the topsides. I suppose an archeologist could figure it out...

[Tstec]

I am referencing a document. The HIN on the stern is not readable and removing paint didn't help. It seems that the document is incorrect. I am not sure how to fix this problem or how big a problem this is.