Should I?????

[Fl_Richard]

Planning on adding a dive ladder to my boat. The best place for the bracket is on the starboard side right where the HIN is located. Is it a bad idea to bolt the bracket over the numbers. And a step further, at least one bolt hole will go through and deface some of the digits. I live in Florida and not selling the boat for a few years.

To do or not to do???

 

[steelespike]

Re: Should I?????

I don't think there is any legal problem but would be very nice to have the numbers safely stored or applied somewhere safe on the boat.
Maybe take a picture and print it on sticky paper/mylar put a copy in a place nearby and another safe from water and sun.
Maybe get an alphabet punch set and stamp the info right into the metal if any .

 

[MH Hawker]

Re: Should I?????

no its not a good idea.

 

[duke33]

Re: Should I?????

All the above.

 

[tomdinwv]

Re: Should I?????

Why not call the FL DNR (or who ever handles boat registrations) and ask them if it's okay.

 

[Fireman431]

Re: Should I?????

I'm pretty sure you're not supposed to alter those numbers in any way and I wonder if that would be considering "altering" them. Can you take the bracket to a welding shop and have it shortened by 1" or so to avoid the HIN?