KenM 4 Report post #1 Posted August 25, 2020 Greetings, We have just put an offer in on a 47ft cruiser stern Nb for my daughter. Before we signed on the dotted line I am trying to do some due diligence checks. It is recorded as a 2005 build (John White Boat builders) its condition and paperwork is consistent with that. My conundrum is that the CRT index number has 5 digits (55422). I understood that the current 6 digit numbers started in 1995 so we seem to be missing a number. Is it possible for someone to re-use an old number like a cherished number plate? Or is the boat older than it looks? Or is CRT's numbering system not consistent.... I might just have answered my own question! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
nicknorman 3871 Report post #2 Posted August 25, 2020 I’m no expert but whilst a boat can seem newer than it is if it came from non CRT waters and was then first registered with CRT many years later with a 6 digit number, I don’t think there is a way for a 2005 boat to have a 5 digit CRT number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
IanM 81 Report post #3 Posted August 25, 2020 No boat comes up with the number 55422. Stick the name into this and it should tell you what the number should be https://canalplan.uk/boats/boats.php 1 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KenM 4 Report post #4 Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) 5 minutes ago, IanM said: No boat comes up with the number 55422. Stick the name into this and it should tell you what the number should be https://canalplan.uk/boats/boats.php Thanks Ian, yup I tried the Canalplan search and it doesn't come up with the index, nor the current name 'Ginny May', Nor the name engraved presumably at fit-out 'Carol Ann' But it is recognised by crts shop-a-boater licence checker Edited August 25, 2020 by KenM Additional information Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan de Enfield 6972 Report post #5 Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) Presumably you are getting some (RCD, Builders invoices, VAT paid certificate etc etc) paperwork ? Check that the HIN (Hull Identification Number) on the paperwork matches that shown on the HIN CE plate on the boat. The HIN should be made up of the manufacturers code and the year of manufacture. Another check is to look at the fuel tank - the fuel tank MUST be marked with the pressure test conducted and the date of the test. Any one of these will tell you the date of manufacture. Edited August 25, 2020 by Alan de Enfield Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
lepus 0 Report post #6 Posted August 25, 2020 I think it will be a Bridgewater number. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sea Dog 2592 Report post #7 Posted August 25, 2020 1 hour ago, IanM said: No boat comes up with the number 55422. That's odd, because the CRT licence check confirms that it has a current CRT licence. 7 minutes ago, lepus said: I think it will be a Bridgewater number. See above - I'm thinking it's kosher with CRT. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KenM 4 Report post #8 Posted August 25, 2020 32 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said: Presumably you are getting some (RCD, Builders invoices, VAT paid certificate etc etc) paperwork ? Check that the HIN (Hull Identification Number) on the paperwork matches that shown on the HIN CE plate on the boat. The HIN should be made up of the manufacturers code and the year of manufacture. Another check is to look at the fuel tank - the fuel tank MUST be marked with the pressure test conducted and the date of the test. Any one of these will tell you the date of manufacture. Yup the HIN number ends H505.... Which looks promising. Thanks Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan de Enfield 6972 Report post #9 Posted August 25, 2020 (edited) 21 minutes ago, KenM said: Yup the HIN number ends H505.... Which looks promising. Thanks What is the full HIN ? The 505 could / should indicate manufactured August 2005 Edited August 25, 2020 by Alan de Enfield Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KenM 4 Report post #10 Posted August 25, 2020 31 minutes ago, Sea Dog said: That's odd, because the CRT licence check confirms that it has a current CRT licence. See above - I'm thinking it's kosher with CRT. That's it! We've found a pic showing it has at sometime had a Bridgewater number B and 4 digits So the 55422 will be a reregistered Bridgewater number that CRT are using as though it twer theirs. Thank you all so much.... Case closed 1 minute ago, Alan de Enfield said: What is the full HIN ? GB-RYA00617H505 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Alan de Enfield 6972 Report post #11 Posted August 25, 2020 2 minutes ago, KenM said: That's it! We've found a pic showing it has at sometime had a Bridgewater number B and 4 digits So the 55422 will be a reregistered Bridgewater number that CRT are using as though it twer theirs. Thank you all so much.... Case closed GB-RYA00617H505 Yup - built under the auspices of the RYA examiners/surveyors August 2005 The 00617 is the boat serial number. The RYA is used where it is an 'small' boat builder and the RYA check the quality and specifications are complied with Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
KenM 4 Report post #12 Posted August 25, 2020 4 minutes ago, Alan de Enfield said: Yup - built under the auspices of the RYA examiners/surveyors August 2005 The 00617 is the boat serial number. The RYA is used where it is an 'small' boat builder and the RYA check the quality and specifications are complied with Thanks, the index number was the one thing worrying me. Mystery solved and we are signing the contract tonight! Daughter has been looking for ages - very pleased this boat popped up in good condition at the right price. The 2nd hand market has gone insane in the last few weeks - I guess people wanting UK holidays or a post lock down change of life style. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Grassman 90 Report post #13 Posted August 30, 2020 I know the OP has solved their issue, but in case others have similar queries ..... British Waterways messed about with their licence numbering around the mid-1990's. I'm not sure of the precise details but I gather that for a short period of time they temporarily abandoned the 6 digits and decided to use up some previously un-issued 5 digit numbers. Our boat falls into this category. It was built in 1995 and has 5 digits but there are many boats older than ours which have 6 digits. We get comments from time to time from people congratulating us on how remarkable our boat's condition is considering it must be about 35 years old! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machpoint005 3392 Report post #14 Posted August 30, 2020 The (BW) reg. no. of our 1995 boat is 5000xx, so it was at the very start of the new sequence. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ditchcrawler 2045 Report post #15 Posted August 30, 2020 Didn't they offer personalised numbers like the DVLA at a price Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Machpoint005 3392 Report post #16 Posted August 31, 2020 11 hours ago, ditchcrawler said: Didn't they offer personalised numbers like the DVLA at a price Voluntary taxation! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
BEngo 382 Report post #17 Posted August 31, 2020 23 hours ago, ditchcrawler said: Didn't they offer personalised numbers like the DVLA at a price Only to one D (call me Dave) Fletcher who had 50000 on his first boat and 000001 on his 'udson. N Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Mike Todd 578 Report post #18 Posted September 1, 2020 23 hours ago, BEngo said: Only to one D (call me Dave) Fletcher who had 50000 on his first boat and 000001 on his 'udson. N Presumably the butler fixed it? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opener 50 Report post #19 Posted September 1, 2020 This 5/6 digits question has had me vexed for a while. How can a 5 digit boat be immaculate and a 6 digit a scruffy wreck? Apart from care and attention. Now I know. OK - so what is this symbol on a 5 digit plate (on a very tidy boat). Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Loddon 1929 Report post #20 Posted September 1, 2020 (edited) The old pre 1991 BW logo. Not sure the exact date it changed to the weedy bridge hole but it was about then. Edited September 1, 2020 by Loddon Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Opener 50 Report post #21 Posted September 1, 2020 I understand bridges and swans and reeds, and, just about, blue circles but what is this supposed to represent? Almost looks like an open water anchor. 😟 Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Mack 1570 Report post #22 Posted September 1, 2020 As on this photo from Peter Scott: From this thread: Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
David Mack 1570 Report post #23 Posted September 1, 2020 7 minutes ago, Opener said: Almost looks like an open water anchor. 😟 Yes the symbol didn't really translate well to those index plates. The example above, albeit painted out, is much better. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liam 39 Report post #24 Posted September 2, 2020 It's not a Bridgewater number, they are only 4 digits (numbers) long, prefixed by the letter B. Example B1234. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Sea Dog 2592 Report post #25 Posted September 2, 2020 On 31/08/2020 at 09:25, Machpoint005 said: Voluntary taxation! Don't knock it if it helps keep down the involuntary kind... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites