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Catalina/Capri 25/250 Sailor's Forums

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drsam
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/17/2007 : 20:29:31

Hello all,

As my subject implies, this is my first post here and I'm a total newbie in need of some advice/guidance from some more seasoned folks.

I've had some experience with powerboats as a kid, but my sole experience with sailboats consists of reading "Sailing For Dummies" and watching "Pirates of the Carribean."

So naturally, my wife and I have just bought a used sailboat. It is a 1982 Capri 25.

We are very excited/nervous about learning to sail.

I'm a little bit nervous however that I may have unwittingly gotten scammed perhaps.

The person I bought the boat from give me a notarized bill of sale listing the 12-digit HIN as well as providing copies to me of the bill of sale she received with the same HIN and the bill of sale received by the party who had it before her.

She also provided a copy of the registration in Alabama from an owner prior to that (I'm in Mississippi).

All the info on the various documents listed above seems to match.

The thing is, I've looked and looked, and can't actually find the HIN anywhere on the boat.

The only thing I could find was a small metal plate on the inside of the transom listing a 3-digit serial number.

From what I've read on the internet, all boats manufactured after 1972 are required to have a 12 digit HIN on the outside of the hull as well as "Hidden somewhere" inside the boat, while those manufacured before 1972 just have a serial number. Well as far as I can see, if this boat has a 12 digit HIN it is really well hidden.

Can you wise folks shed some light on this for me? Should I be worried (other than the obvious worry of killing myself trying to learn this magical sailing thing)? Did I get scammed?

Thanks in advance!

Sam

Edited by - on

saribella
Captain

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USA
286 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 20:51:23

What is the 12 digit HIN & the number on the plate?

Edited by - on

drsam
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 20:56:32

Hi Saribella, check your email.

Thanks,

Sam

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 21:03:42

Haven't seen it on a Capri, but the HIN is usually impressed in the gelcoat on starboard side of the transom, up near the top.

Edited by - on

Turk
Admiral

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USA
736 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 21:18:15

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by drsam
 Hello all,

I've had some experience with powerboats as a kid, but my sole experience with sailboats consists of reading "Sailing For Dummies" and watching "Pirates of the Carribean. Can you wise folks shed some light on this for me? Should I be worried "

<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Yes - you should have watched "Capt. Ron".

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:11:05

If the hull has ever been repainted it might not be visible. It also just be very difficult to see. As you noted the small plate contains the hull number. That won't match.

Unless you really think you were scammed, it is highly doubtful that he would have gone through the trouble of provided all that information.

Does the hull number you mention appear anywhere within the sequence of the 12 digit HIN? for example CTYK0401 is the first 8 digits of my HIN. My Hull number is 401.

You can use this link to further investigate HIN's

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

for your boat it should look something like this
CPS K #### M83A

CPS is the 3 letter designation for Capri
K is the model (catalina uses k for most of their 25 foot boats)
the #### is your hull number
M - I'm not sure about
83 would be the year
A - could be any letter A-L where A=August and L = July

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:12:48

Also - the secondary location on the inside of the boat did not start until 1984 sometime.

Edited by - on

drsam
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:22:27

Thanks Duane,

That info really eases my mind a lot. The HIN on the documents seems to match the pattern you describe.

I think the Hull has been repainted before.

I guess the reason I got sort of uptight is that the website for the Mississippi Dept of Wildlife Fisheries and Parks indicates that if they inspect your boat and don't find a HIN and a serial number on the motor, they can confiscate them.

The owner I bought the boat from never bothered to register it, and there are no registration numbers/letters on the bow.

Taken all together, my imagination started to go a little wild I guess.

If I absolutely cannot find any HIN on the boat, do you know if there is some way to get a plate with this from the Catalina company or something that I can install on the boat?

Thanks again,

Sam

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:25:00

Ah, if you can't find the HIN underneath the rubrail on the starboard side transom, grab a finish nail and scratch it in. I think that's what Catalina Yachts did.

Edited by - on

Champipple
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
6855 Posts

Response Posted - 04/17/2007 : 22:39:35

It is probably there and I think that you are probably not the only guy who has ever been in that situation. You have prior registrations, a hull number plate and other documents - if you are concerned about it being confiscated I'd start with a phone call.

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Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 07:35:17

It's probably there--don't look for anything fancy--as Don said, it will probably look like it was scratched in by hand.

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Sloop Smitten
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1181 Posts

Response Posted - 04/18/2007 : 09:44:22

A nail or dremel tool will fix you right up. Had to do the same thing the first time I had mine inspected. Directly under the rub rail on the starboard side of the stern.

In San Diego the Coast Guard Auxillary holds classroom sailing classes for only the cost of the book. They may have something similar where you are in Mississippi. Check your community colleges for a fundamental sailing class. That will give you enough info to get your feet wet. Your going to love the Capri!

Edited by - on

drsam
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 05/18/2007 : 23:16:55

Update.

Found it today!

All is good!

Thanks everyone.

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2007 : 07:36:29

Sam,

Was it on the transom?

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drsam
Deckhand

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USA
12 Posts

Response Posted - 05/19/2007 : 09:49:36

yep. And just as you said, it looks like it was scratched in with a nail. Barely perceptable!

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