tophatyachts.com

Can i ask what might be a dumb question.

who issues a boat with a sail number?

my TH is due for a new main sail and has a old SA number no it?

Dave

I think there were previous posts on this. A search may bring them up. From memory, I think you have to apply to YA for a number. Others may have done so and will be able to tell you about costs, details, etc. Not sure why you need a number unless you are racing. I have never bothered.

In Victoria I got my number from my club who registered it with YA then I gave the details to vicroads who made it my new registration number so I don't have to display a number on the hull.

The number on your registration certificate is your sail number.

If you want to change it, talk to your club to see what is available.

If not in a club, talk to Vic Roads.

It must also be painted on the hull.

All the best,

Tom

Thank all,
I will run with the rego numbers as it is also my radio call sign. I dont think I will be racing at this stage.

Dave

G'Day Dave,
You do ask the best questions.
If you put sail numbers on, the one on the stbd side must be above the one on the port side. So you can't read 8011 as 1108 etc. The same number must be on both sides. A 29er from Sydney has AUS 461 on one side and AUS 641 on the other. Sail numbers are issued by Yachting Aust.
The numbers on the sails are the best to identify a boat by. You can get on to the register and find out who has the number as most people don't re register their number or cancel it when they sell a boat. Some clubs have their own series, Lake Macquarie is M, Middle Harbour (Sydney) MHnn etc.

In nsw the hull has a separate number ending in N, Qld has letters and numbers ending in Q. SA in S etc. The number is usually 3 letters and 3 numbers and then the Suffux, or you can apply for a special number but it must to end in N. The best one I saw was a stink boat 4sipiN.

If the rego is all numbers it is a commercial registered vessel.
If its a LFB or similar it is a Liscenced Fishing Boat.

The racing rules state that a racing boat must have on its stern, its registration number ABC123N, its sail number M123 and its registered club eg LMYC.

VHF radios used to be registered but now they are type approved and only the operator has to be lisenced. That used to be 3 letters 4 numbers eg, VZN1234. The callsign is the name of the boat or the radio registration.

In NSW, I don't know if you have it in Vic, we have a HIN. Hull Identification Number.
The NRMA started a scheme previous to that that was coded and I had SNLAUF3GK184 Which was someting like Sailing vessel, NSW registered, in Australia. and built in Jan 1984.
Confused?
If you put the sail numbers on your sails they are hard to remove and will always show a watermark so may help if they are stolen or lost.
Greg.

confused! you bet!
Thanks greg
I still think I will use the Vic Rego number as it is also loged with Aus Maritime Safety Auth. as the boats rego/callsign. This may change when i finish installing the DSC radio and get issued a MMSI
The rego number is FG745. (note no V)
FG i think is for Fiberglass (vicroads is not known for deepthinking or complex codes) but it could stand for French Galleon? or Fast Glass (it is a Mk3 after all)
Dave

Hi Dave,

Very simple in Vic.

You don't have to have sail numbers unless you are racing.

The identificaton painted on your hull (see boating reg handbook for size) is your Vic Roads registration.

On the VHF you don't have a call sign, you just identify your boat by the name 'Wild Rose'. No one seems to add the Registration when calling but you can do so.

A radio licence is required but the set is not registered.

Please give me a call if this still seems confusing!

Cheers,

Tom