"Grunff" wrote in message
...
Hi all,

I'm currently working on a database for a client which aims to
allow users to trace cars + boats they have owned in the past.

The database will hold information that allows the
identification of the car/boat.

Sadly, I know nothing about boats. So I'm asking for your help.
I need to build up a list of important parameters than can be
used to identify a boat. Not too many, maybe 6 at the most.



The following link may give you some ideas as to what information is held
for registered boats:

http://www.itu.int/cgi-bin/htsh/mars...earch.sh#start

but there is no requirement for pleasure boats to be registered at all, and
many aren't. Even though they may have been at some time, the registration
may have been allowed to lapse. The country of registry may also change.
Modern boats usually have a hull identification number (HIN), but older ones
usually don't. Some carry sail numbers, but many don't and there is no
requirement for one.

The bottom line is that there isn't really any reliable way to trace a boat,
other than by luck - possibly through newsgroups such as this, or through
owner groups e.g. http://jeanneau.tripod.com/index.htm

Possibly this is why so many boats get stolen.

Pete.