Name plate question

[Roy Morford]

I'm getting near to finishing my Acorn 15 and want to put a small bronze nameplate on the transom with the boat name, build year and perhaps (pure vanity) my name. I can't find anything searching the web. Any ideas as to exactly what is on a "traditional" nameplate.
Thanks.

[Dan McCosh]

"Built by Nevins, City Island, NY."

[Dan McCosh]

Seriously, they sell them at the Woodenboat store.

[kc8pql]

Mine came from our hosts store. I had it engraved at a local trophy shop.

http://i31.tinypic.com/25qt43m.jpg

[drift montana]

I actually just ordered mine from Wooden Boat Store today. They have been on back order for five or six months! Obscenely priced, but they look good and it helps out our host.

-Tony

[boylesboats]

Mine came from our hosts store. I had it engraved at a local trophy shop.

http://i31.tinypic.com/25qt43m.jpg

Nice looking engravin' :) I like that...

[dmede]

I just ordered mine from WB Store as well. I've also had trouble finding examples of what to put on there though. Here's a sketch of what I was planning to do (I'm leaning towards the version without the boat name):

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3191/2595107231_520749f077.jpg

[boylesboats]

Nice lay-ups there, dmede..

[Roy Morford]

Excellent information. Just what I was looking for. Thanks.

[Jay Greer]

http://im1.shutterfly.com/media/47b8d836b3127ccec436cf5eb76900000020O00QYsmrNy5bsQ e3nwg/cC/f%3D0/ps%3D50/r%3D0/rx%3D560/ry%3D300/
Although it is in Spanish it isn't hard to figger out.
Jay

[dmede]

FYI, I just got my WB name plate and am a little disappointed in the quality. They call this a "cast" plate but it's obviously a hand ground piece off a flat bronze bar. The grinding is uneven and the counter sunk screw holes are pretty bad (counter sink and main bore holes do not line up).

I think the version they had before was cast and looked to be higher quality than what they are selling now (for more money).

I'll keep it and clean it up, but I just wanted to pass the word to anyone who might be thinking about making their own from some bronze bar or sheet.

[Thorne]

You folks may also want to leave a little free space to put the VIN / HIN on the plate if issued one by the DMV -- saves having to display another plate or metallic sticker otherwise.

[kc8pql]

CG regs. state that the HIN must be displayed on the upper stbd. corner of the transom, or as near as possible to that location if there is no transom. The HIN on a plate in another location doesn't comply.

[Thorne]

In a boat the size of this one, I suspect they'd be glad to see a HIN # at all -- so as long as it is clearly displayed on a permanent plate, don't think there would be much difficulity with a CG inspection.

Most small home-built boats in CA just seem to have to comply with DMV requirements, and those can be fudged a bit if you really want to take the risk.

[kc8pql]

From the USCG Safety Standards for Backyard Boatbuilders pamphlet, pages 37 and 38. Note that there is no exclusion for size or type of boat:

HULL IDENTIFICATION NUMBERS
All boats must bear two Hull Identification Numbers (HINs). The HIN is like a serial
number. It is a unique number that identifies your boat. The HIN is not the same as
the State registration number which may also be required to be displayed on the bow
of your boat. DO NOT CONFUSE THESE TWO NUMBERS. The HIN is a Federal
requirement; your boat’s registration number is a State requirement similar to the
license plate on your car.
When you start to build your boat or while you are building it, write to your State
boating agency (their addresses appear at the end of this pamphlet), tell them that you
are building a boat and that you need a Hull Identification Number (HIN). You can also
inquire about your registration number at the same time. Not all State agencies issue
HINs, but those that do not will probably refer you to the nearest Coast Guard District.

TWO HINS MUST BE PERMANENTLY DISPLAYED ON YOUR BOAT
THE PRIMARY HIN
On boats with transoms: The primary HIN must be affixed to the starboard (right) side
of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale or hull and deck
joint, whichever is lowest.
On boats without transoms or on boats on which it would be impractical to use the
transom: The primary HIN must be affixed to the starboard (right) outboard side of the
hull, aft, within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of the hull side,
gunwale or hull and deck joint, whichever is lowest.
On catamarans and pontoon boats which have readily replaceable hulls: The primary
HIN must be affixed to the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard (right) hull.

THE SECONDARY HIN
A secondary HIN must be affixed in an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath
a fitting or item of hardware.
For example: On a dinghy you could place the secondary HIN on the inside surface of
the hull beneath a seat or thwart or underneath the rubrail. On runabouts the
secondary HIN could be placed on the inside surface or the hull up forward under the
forward deck, behind the remote controls, or underneath a cleat. The idea here is to
place the secondary HIN in a place that is unexposed that someone would not
normally be able to find unless they really looked for it closely. Do not put the second
HIN on a part of the boat that is easily or normally removable.
The secondary HIN will help the authorities identify your boat if a thief removes or
damages the primary HIN you affix to the transom.

PERMANENTLY AFFIXED
Each of your HINs must be permanently affixed. They must be carved, burned,
stamped, embossed, molded, bonded or otherwise permanently affixed so that
alteration, removal or replacement would be obvious. If the HINs are on separate
plates, the plates must be fastened in such a way that their removal would normally
cause some scarring of or damage to the surrounding hull area. For example, if you
use a separate plate, use wood screws or pop rivets and epoxy to affix it to the hull.

[Thorne]

There are also laws requiring you to have a man with a flag preceed your automobile -- what I'm talking about is what is enforced.

http://www.dumblaws.com/
In Ohio, if you ignore an orator on Decoration day to such an extent as to publicly play croquet or pitch horseshoes within one mile of the speaker’s stand, you can be fined $25.
Women are prohibited from wearing patent leather shoes in public.
It is illegal to fish for whales on Sunday.
It is illegal to get a fish drunk.
The Ohio driver’s education manual states that you must honk the horn whenever you pass another car.
Participating or conducting a duel is prohibited.
Breast feeding is not allowed in public.
It is illegal for more than five women to live in a house.
It is illegal to mistreat anything of great importance.
http://www.dumblaws.com/images/spacer.gif
Full Text (http://www.dumblaws.com/law/773)
http://www.dumblaws.com/images/spacer.gif
No one may be arrested on Sunday or on the Fourth of July.

Back to what Dave needs to do -

If you are trying to build a small boat that can pass everything the USCG can throw at her, then yes, you'll need to follow the above requirements to the letter. You'll also need all sorts of flotation, signaling, and emergency gear.

But for the average person who might be boarded by the CG for an inspection, I strongly suspect that having the HIN on the builder's plate on the transom would get you by just fine.

We see much the same thing with black powder storage requirements. I have a type III daybox built to meet Fed and State requirements, but have yet to meet a fire marshal who knows anything about it...they just want to make sure it is safe and in a fireproof box.

[George Roberts]

I was going to suggest that the HIN be placed on the plates rather than a "hull no."

But a builder's plate is different than the HIN plate so they may well present the same information in a different form.

[dmede]

I'll second Thorne's comments, almost no one cares if you have a HIN or Hull ID # on the hull let alone in the specified location :rolleyes:

I've had repeated run ins with the two Dept. of Fish and Game jokers who patrol the Redwood City ramp. And they have on several occasions inspected by buddies home built 16' stripper skiff. They pointed out things like no vents in the rear box seat that holds the fuel tank, and a requirement to have a 2nd hook from the boat to the trailer at the stem (the winch strap and hook are not sufficient apparently). But they have never even mentioned any interior ID info. I doubt they know what to look for.

I'd say you'd be ok in most cases doing as you please with the Hull ID and HIN.

[kc8pql]

The HIN is really for your own protection. It's the best way to provide positive identification if your boat is stolen, particularly the concealed number.