Really
Response from developer
HINSearch does NOT do searches by vessel name. This app decodes and validates vessel Hull Identification Numbers, and provides some manufacturer data. Potential users should read the full App Description before purchasing this or any other app. You can request a refund from Apple at "reportaproblem.apple.com".
HIN Search rating
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2022-01-16: This is a reply to a recently entered developer reply. You wrote: “I am not sure exactly what this review is referring to. HINSearch does NOT provide any boat ownership or registration info.” Run a search for HIN BL1G54CKB787. Scroll towards the bottom of the page, where you will see the following: “Owner/Contact Name: Keith Mitchell Phone: 5078255851” How can you claim that HINSearch does NOT provide any boat ownership or registration info? Hint: I am the legal owner, since July 20, 2020, but my name is NOT Keith Mitchell. Perhaps Keith was a first owner? I don’t know. If this is a situation where you are pulling stale information from a state database, perhaps it is best to not show it.
Response from developer
Thank you for the update. The "Owner/Contact Name" is referring to the Builder/Manufacturer. I will make this super clear in a future release. HINSearch does NOT provide any boat ownership or registration info (as stated in the App description). HINSearch WILL tell you who made the boat, when, and a little bit about the company that made it. It will also do some checks for suspicious or fraudulent HIN numbers.
Info available for free
Response from developer
What this app does and doesn't do is fully described in the App Description. We are not trying to deceive or trick anyone. While much of the raw information used by this app is publicly available, some of it isn't. The app makes decoding and interpreting HINs and related info more convenient, easier and reliable for users, And it doesn't require Internet access. A lot of time, effort, and thought was put into this app. Most users find that this is worth paying a few bucks for. If you wish a refund, please request one via Apple. Developers cannot process refunds.
No model info😞
Response from developer
Unfortunately boat model info is not encoded into HINs like car model info is encoded in VINs. We wish it were! Sometimes you can get model info by contacting the manufacturer with your boats HIN, but sadly most are out of business. We encourage everyone to read the full App Description before purchasing to see what HINSearch can and cannot do.
No new info
Response from developer
We encourage everyone to read the full App description before purchasing (of any app, really) so you can understand what type of data can be retrieved and what cannot from a boat's HIN.
Only valid for USA
Response from developer
Correct. As stated in the App Description: "This app only decodes HINs for boats which were built or imported legally in the USA since 1972." Other countries or regions may use different formats and/or other manufacturer codes.
Great app
Response from developer
You can now Print your search/decode results with the latest version.
Doesn’t provide anymore than you can find on the free web.
Response from developer
We're sorry you were disappointed. However, what the app does and does not do is clearly stated in the app description, and most people do find it worth paying for. HINSearch has some clear advantages over Internet based solutions, for example: 1) Easier to use. 2) Validates HIN format to detect possibly altered HINs. 3) Works without Internet.
No info
Response from developer
Please contact us directly for assistance. Sometimes manufacturers used "Serial Numbers" that look like HINs but actually are not, especially in older (pre-1972) boats.
