Why Would Someone Collect Hull Numbers?

[GaryMayo]

On another site, there is a guy who goes to extremes to collect sailboat hull numbers. What is his stick?

He has collected thousands of them. What possible nefarious intentions could be accomplished in collecting hull numbers, and as sailboat owners, should we safeguard hull numbers for any reason?

[hellosailor]

Leave RainMan alone. There are laws about the disabled and unsane.

Hull numbers? Jeez, you can buy those wholesale from the vessel documentation lists and state registration lists.

Leave RainMan alone.

[WebWench]

Maybe he is planning a lookup site where you can see different manufacturers hull numbers.

[Me-and-Boo]

Check your property tax laws. He may be trying to collect for turning in those who have not paid.

Happens in Virginia.

[Kettlewell]

Offhand, I can't think of any "nefarious reasons," but these days my default position is to share the minimum amount of information about myself as possible. This may not be relevant, but apparently thieves have found that facebook is wonderful for mining for personal details that can then be used to answer the password change questions for things like bank accounts and credit cards.

[cat man do]

Originally Posted by Kettlewell

Offhand, I can't think of any "nefarious reasons," but these days my default position is to share the minimum amount of information about myself as possible. This may not be relevant, but apparently thieves have found that facebook is wonderful for mining for personal details that can then be used to answer the password change questions for things like bank accounts and credit cards.

Are you telling me that people are silly enough to use their real names and put their personal details up on the internet?

[Stumble]

Given that every boat built since 1972 or so has their hull I'd number online with the coast guard I can't see anything particularly nefarious from collecting them alone. Unless he is using them to track where particular boats are.

[cwyckham]

Doesn't seem any wierder than collecting little spoons from every state. More likely an odd obsession than nefarious.

[charliehows]

beats trainspotting

[Hudson Force]

I've always had an interest in my "neighbors" on the assembly line and what was different about the production of the lower numbers and higher numbers for my model. I'm on board Morgan Ketch Model 413 1973 hull number 172. OK, there it is,- I'm out of the closet! 'can't wait to hear from #171 or #173! I may be vulnerable now, but at least I've come clean and I'm no longer burdened with the secret.

[GaryMayo]

Originally Posted by cat man do

Are you telling me that people are silly enough to use their real names and put their personal details up on the internet?

GaryMayo. Lol

[Maren]

Originally Posted by charliehows

beats trainspotting

Agreed. I think it's likely for the same reasons there are folks who look at the tailfin numbers on planes or large ship identification.

You know, you could always ask him too. I'm sure he would be happy to tell you ... in excruciating detail.

[Celestialsailor]

Well...some people collect hull numbers...while others join forums and post way too much.

[GaryMayo]

Originally Posted by Celestialsailor

Well...some people collect hull numbers...while others join forums and post way too much.

Who, me or you? Your post count is average and mine is low.

[ArtM]

Do you mean he is removing the numbers from the boat itself? Like a license plate collector? Or he is just making lists of hull numbers? What kinds of lists? From the internet? From a harbor?