How do you know how old your inflatable boat or RIB is?

Determining the age (year of manufacture) of your inflatable boat or RIB is important for maintenance, safety, and insurance. Old rubber can become stiff or porous over time, which affects the lifespan and reliability of your boat. Fortunately, you can easily find out exactly how old your boat is using its WIN number.

What is a WIN number?

The WIN number, short for Watercraft Identification Number , is a boat's unique identification number. It's similar to a car's chassis number. Previously, this number was referred to as the HIN (Hull Identification Number) or CIN (Craft Identification Number).

Since June 1998, all newly built boats are required to have a WIN number. This makes it possible to determine the exact age of virtually any modern inflatable boat or RIB.

Where can you find the WIN number?

The WIN number is usually located on the transom plate (engine plate) or on the boat's manufacturer's plate. This may vary depending on the brand of inflatable boat.

At Zodiac inflatable boats

On Zodiac inflatables, the WIN number is usually located on the right side of the outer transom, just above the waterline. It's printed on a long aluminum plate attached to the hull.

Depending on the year and model, the exact position may vary slightly.

For older or second-hand boats, always check that the number is legible and complete, as it can sometimes fade due to sunlight or wear.

How do you read a WIN number?

A WIN number consists of fourteen characters that together provide information about the origin and age of the boat.

An example of a WIN number is: NL-CRD-1234-A-818 .
The first part, NL , indicates in which country the boat was produced – in this case the Netherlands.
This is followed by CRD , the factory code of the yard or manufacturer where the boat was built.
The number 1234 is the unique serial number assigned to the specific boat.
The letter A represents the month of production; the letters run from A to L, with A meaning January and L meaning December.
Then the first 8 indicates the year of production , in this example 2018.
The last two digits, 18 , indicate the model year of the boat, which is also 2018.

Production year and model year

Sometimes a boat is already produced at the end of one year, even though the manufacturer claims it belongs to the following year's model year. This is because many boat builders align their production cycle with the new boating season. They often start building the models that will be delivered in the following season as early as the fall.

An example of this is a WIN number ending in 718. This means that the boat was manufactured in July 2017, but belongs to the 2018 model year. In practice, such a boat is considered a 2018 model year, because the official model year is the leading year for the model specifications and registrations.

The last three digits of the WIN number provide important information about the actual age of your boat. They show the year the boat was manufactured and the model year it falls under.

Why is the age of your inflatable boat important?

Knowing the year your inflatable boat or RIB was built is important for scheduling maintenance, ensuring safety, and properly insuring your vessel. Materials like PVC and Hypalon Neoprene age differently and therefore require a different approach to maintenance. Knowing your boat's age allows you to better estimate when certain parts need replacing.

It's also useful to know this information when looking for new parts or accessories for your boat. Many parts are linked to the year of manufacture or model type, so having the right information prevents you from ordering the wrong part. Insurers also use the year of manufacture to determine the current market value in the event of damage or valuation.

Summary

By checking your WIN number, you can quickly and easily find out when and where your inflatable boat was built, as well as its model year. This information will help you better plan maintenance and extend your boat's lifespan. This way, your Zodiac stays in top condition, and you're always well-prepared for a safe and carefree boating season.