How to Decode a Hull ID
- NautiGirl
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2842
- Joined: Thu Jul 06, 2017 8:10 pm
- Location: Kentucky
- Been thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
How to Decode a Hull ID
It's amazing what you can find on the internet when you are bored on conference calls at work. Today I learned how to decode a boats Hull ID.
First three letters are the USCG Manufacturer ID Code. A list to all manufacturers codes can be found here: http://uscgboating.org/content/manufact ... esult2.php Cobalt has 2 possibilities
CYT - Cobalt Yachts
FGE - Cobalt Boats LLC
Next digits until you hit a letter are the boat serial number. The letter represents the Month the boat was built A = Jan B = Feb C = March ect.
Next digit is the last digit of the year the boat was built. Final two digits are the model year.
So ours is FGExxxxxxI607. Meaning it was built in Sept of 2006 as a 2007 model year boat. Neat.
I am sure this is common knowledge, but figured I would post it up in case it helped someone.
First three letters are the USCG Manufacturer ID Code. A list to all manufacturers codes can be found here: http://uscgboating.org/content/manufact ... esult2.php Cobalt has 2 possibilities
CYT - Cobalt Yachts
FGE - Cobalt Boats LLC
Next digits until you hit a letter are the boat serial number. The letter represents the Month the boat was built A = Jan B = Feb C = March ect.
Next digit is the last digit of the year the boat was built. Final two digits are the model year.
So ours is FGExxxxxxI607. Meaning it was built in Sept of 2006 as a 2007 model year boat. Neat.
I am sure this is common knowledge, but figured I would post it up in case it helped someone.
JEFF & KATIE
TeamNAUTI
Ebony Black 2017 R5 8.2 Big Block
CANDIED RED 2007 222 6.2L Merc - Sold
1997 190 4.3 Volvo - Peak Cobalt Design and Manufacturing
KENTUCKY
"Pudgy the had down harder!"
TeamNAUTI
Ebony Black 2017 R5 8.2 Big Block
CANDIED RED 2007 222 6.2L Merc - Sold
1997 190 4.3 Volvo - Peak Cobalt Design and Manufacturing
KENTUCKY
"Pudgy the had down harder!"
- AsLan7
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 11456
- Joined: Sat Jul 29, 2017 10:58 am
- Location: Erie PA
- Been thanked: 1 time
- Contact:
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
Great stuff team Nauti. Thanks for posting!
2002 Cobalt 262
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
&
2005 Cobalt 263
496 MagHO
(sold )
Erie, PA
Currently boatless (for now)
will fly for food
(CChat moderator)
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
Very interesting. Thank you. Now I know mine was built in November of 2006 for the 2007 model year. 
2007 212 5.0 GXi DP Volvo Penta
Tubing, Skiing, and all around boating fun!
Texas Sun & Fun!
2016 Yamaha VX Cruiser
Tubing, Skiing, and all around boating fun!
Texas Sun & Fun!
2016 Yamaha VX Cruiser
- Table Rockin
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 1608
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2017 3:12 pm
- Location: St. Louis area
- Contact:
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
So if mine is FGE7W002F617, then it was built in June of 2016 as a 2017 model year? That seems like an early build for a 2017 model year. Interesting. No wonder why I dont have the 6.2L!
2017 R7 WSS Volvo 6.0L 430 HP
"The Mistress"
Table Rock Lake, MO (Indian Point Area)
"The Mistress"
Table Rock Lake, MO (Indian Point Area)
- Big Block Power
- Fleet Admiral

- Posts: 17930
- Joined: Sat May 07, 2016 8:05 pm
- Location: Neenah,Wi
- Contact:
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
I have A303 January of 2003 and is a 2003.
Thanks Mr Nauti. I knew the first 3 letters and the last 2 digits. I didn't know about the letter before the last 3 numbers being the month.
Thanks Mr Nauti. I knew the first 3 letters and the last 2 digits. I didn't know about the letter before the last 3 numbers being the month.
03Cobalt220 8.1gxi DP
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
"Kids in Tow2"
"Pot The Jus" Originator :-)
Neenah Wi
#ItsBu'sfault
#FARCON Marine CC Core!
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
TR,
I ordered in late January for a May delivery estimate.
The boat wasn't locked until early May and finished in mid June. Delivery happened on the 1st of July 17’.
As it turned out, Cobalt was starting their run of high sales right at the time I ordered and I was at the beginning of their factory order crunch.
My number ends with E717’
Locked on May 7, but not actually finished until mid June.
Got lucky and unlucky.
Unlucky..I missed the 18’ change up by a week or two.
Lucky.. I got one of the first 6.2L thanks to the two month delay, and one of the last sets of real stainless docking lights.
I might have had a mild child-like temper tantrum if it came in with the new bug eye sets from China.. whew...
I ordered in late January for a May delivery estimate.
The boat wasn't locked until early May and finished in mid June. Delivery happened on the 1st of July 17’.
As it turned out, Cobalt was starting their run of high sales right at the time I ordered and I was at the beginning of their factory order crunch.
My number ends with E717’
Locked on May 7, but not actually finished until mid June.
Got lucky and unlucky.
Unlucky..I missed the 18’ change up by a week or two.
Lucky.. I got one of the first 6.2L thanks to the two month delay, and one of the last sets of real stainless docking lights.
I might have had a mild child-like temper tantrum if it came in with the new bug eye sets from China.. whew...
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
2017 Cobalt R7
"Cobalt" Blue
6.2L VP 380 or 430
#FARCON Marine
"Cobalt" Blue
6.2L VP 380 or 430
#FARCON Marine
- Table Rockin
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 1608
- Joined: Wed Jun 14, 2017 3:12 pm
- Location: St. Louis area
- Contact:
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
So my boat was built almost a year before yours Tusc. Guess they never had a chance to cross paths 
2017 R7 WSS Volvo 6.0L 430 HP
"The Mistress"
Table Rock Lake, MO (Indian Point Area)
"The Mistress"
Table Rock Lake, MO (Indian Point Area)
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
So mine is h102. So that means it’s was built August of 01 and sold as an 02
2019 Cobalt R7 VP 6.2 380hp
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
“Smooth Operator”
Lake St. Louis, MO
Table Rock Lake
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
So how do I decode this hin. Doesn’t follow the above sequence.
Fge9m001m85a. Thanks
Fge9m001m85a. Thanks
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
Maybe in that era the codes were different?thesandmn wrote: Fri Jul 24, 2020 8:14 pm So how do I decode this hin. Doesn’t follow the above sequence.
Fge9m001m85a. Thanks
Model M... 1985 .. a?? Merica!
Cobalt customer service has a email that may fill in the blanks.
2008 272 , 496 HO fo SHO
California Delta
Table Rock Lake
#FARCON
California Delta
Table Rock Lake
#FARCON
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
Tried them. They weren’t helpful. Guy said they don’t keep records that far back.
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
I tried them again with better luck. My cm9 is hull number 1 of 7 built in 1985. Apparently they don’t have the build sheets that far back though. Now I need to source some parts.
- akorcovelos
- Vice Admiral

- Posts: 2981
- Joined: Mon Sep 10, 2018 10:07 pm
- Location: Antioch, IL
- Contact:
Re: How to Decode a Hull ID
Very cool!
1996 252 Whipple tuned 454 Magnum MPI, 496 exhaust, Corsa Captains Call, B3 w/Simrek drive shower.
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
‘Direct Deposit Too’
Antioch, IL
Fox Chain O' Lakes
Who is online
Users browsing this forum: Ahrefs [Bot] and 3 guests


