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

Working out the age (year of build) 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 service life and dependability of your boat. Fortunately, you can easily find out exactly how old your boat is by using the WIN number.

What is a WIN number?

The WIN number, short for Watercraft Identification Number, is the unique identification number of a boat. You can compare it to a car’s chassis number. In the past, this number was referred to as HIN (Hull Identification Number) or CIN (Craft Identification Number).

Since June 1998, it has been compulsory for all newly built boats to have a WIN number. This means that for almost any modern inflatable boat or RIB, it is possible to determine the exact age.

Where can you find the WIN number?

The WIN number is usually on the transom plate (engine plate) or on the manufacturer’s plate on the boat. This can vary by inflatable boat make.

On Zodiac inflatable boats

On Zodiac inflatable boats, the WIN number is generally located on the right-hand side of the transom on the outside, just above the waterline. It is shown on a long, narrow aluminium plate that is fixed to the hull. 

Depending on the year of build and model, the exact position may differ slightly.

On older or second-hand boats, always check that the number is clearly 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 the country where the boat was produced—in this case, the Netherlands.
Next comes CRD, the factory code of the yard or maker where the boat was built.
The number 1234 is the unique serial number assigned to the specific boat.
The letter A stands for the month of production; the letters run from A to L, where A means January and L means 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.

Year of production and model year

Sometimes a boat is produced at the end of a year, while the maker classes it as belonging to the model year of the following 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 supplied in the next season as early as autumn.

An example is a WIN number ending in 718. This means the boat was produced in July 2017, but belongs to the 2018 model year. In practice, such a boat is regarded as a 2018 year of build, because the official model year is the leading reference for model specifications and registrations.

The last three characters of the WIN number therefore provide important information about the true age of your boat. They show the year in which the boat was produced and the model year it falls under.

Why is the age of your inflatable boat important?

Knowing the year of build of your inflatable boat or RIB matters for planning maintenance, ensuring safety and insuring your craft correctly. Materials such as PVC and Neoprene Hypalon age in different ways and therefore call for a different approach to maintenance. By knowing how old your boat is, you can better judge when certain parts are due for replacement.

It is also useful to know these details when you are looking for new parts or accessories for your boat. Many parts are linked to the year of build or model type, so having the right information helps you avoid ordering the wrong part. In the event of damage or valuation, an insurer also uses the year of build to determine the current value.

Summary

By checking the WIN number, you can quickly and easily find out when and where your inflatable boat was built and which model year it belongs to. With this information, you can plan maintenance better and extend the service life of your boat. This keeps your Zodiac in top condition and ensures you are always well prepared for a safe and carefree boating season.