TOPIC: Best way to a fix serial no to transom

I just transferred my boats title and registration from CA to Texas. During the inspection the Texas Wildlife inspector told me to move my serial no from under the splashwell to the right upper corner of the transom on the back. I was going to use 3m 5200 will that be sufficient. In owe words will it hold?

Why would you need to move it. The serial number will be on the registration. I say leave it where it is. If you do need to move it though, I would affix it with rivets if possible. You definitely want something permanent.

Is it a metal tag, or a decal?
I'm sure one of the boat restoration experts here will have a good answer for you, so stay tuned.
doc

It is a metal plate about 1 inch wide x 1/2 inch tall.
He wanted it moved so that it would be where the newer boats have there HIN.
I may just have a new plate made with the same info on it.


This way if they do a safety chk the officer won't have to climb into the bilge.

Leave the original one WHERE IT IS!!! Having a park ranger tell you to alter the manufacturers serial number is preposterous! The HIN, or hull identification number that IS supposed to be placed on the starboard corner of the transom, was not a requirement until 1972. If you really want to pacify the guy and not stir up trouble, (completely understandable) I would have a duplicate plate engraved at a trophy shop and glue that on the back.

Got this question many times when I was in the USCG office of Boating Safety. As the last post said leave the original where it is. Have a new plate made and glue and rivet it to the upper right corner of the transom. The HIN regulations went into effect in 1972 and the USCG requires them to be in the upper right corner of the transom. But it's not retroactive. However on older boats the Coast Guard leaves it up to the states. Every state has it's own rules on old boats. Here in Washington they did not require me to put one on the transom, but next door in Idaho they do. So just do it. You can make the thing yourself. The letters/numbers have to be 1/4 inch high. Just engrave or stamp them on a small aluminum plate and attach it to the hull. It's supposed to be "permanently affixed" so put some epoxy on the back and then rivet to the hull.

Ike, does the plate go on the inside or outside of the hull?

On the outside. The general idea is that it will be visible to an officer when the boat is on a trailer, or when they approach in another boat. (doesn't always work out that way)

Leave the original where it is. Go to the pet shop, pick out a brass tag from a dog collar or a rabies tag, have then engrave the HIN #'s and RIVET it on the rear of the boat!!! This is not expensive to do!

Thanks every one I Like the idea of the pet shop tag I had called around and had not foundanyone making tags. Of course the pet shop does/ I need to have one made for my newest boating partner anyway/ AnItalion Greyhound Chihuahua mix. She already has a life jacket because she loves the water but can't swim well. long legs with tiny paws.
Tom

My opinion is like those that say forget about it. I wouldn't give it another thought. As old boat and car owners have to deal with this type of micro-management all the time. Leave the boat alone, and just enjoy it as it is.