My brother is looking at buying a little Boston whaler upstate. It looks like it has Hull ID numbers where you would normally see the Reg #.
Has anyone ever seen this before or know what it might be?
Thanks!
john
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Most hull ID # are located on the stern but, I would imagine it would be easy to find out where BW hull id3 are located.
Here is what I found:
At some point (not sure of the date) Federal Law required boat builders to make a Hull ID No. a permanent part of the hull. On molded boats it is usually molded into the transom on the outboard starboard side at the gunwale.
Before that epoch, Boston Whaler identified the boat with a painted-on hull serial number, usually located somewhere in the forward third of the boat out of sight. In a 13 it was usually in the bottom of the bow locker area. The number was painted using a stencil and black paint, in letters/numbers about 1.5 inches high.
The boat’s serial number–distinct from the hull serial number–was indicated by an embossed metal tag, usually riveted somewhere in the cockpit near the helm station or on the transom. The metal plate was typically about 3 inches wide and 1.5 inches high, had the Whaler logo and other information printed on it, and had the hull ID no. embossed into the metal.
If your boat’s interior has been painted, there is a good chance that the hull ID number has been painted over.
The difference between hull-ID and boat ID or serial number is this: the hull number represents the particular hull as it was molded. In many lengths, the hull became a particular model by the addition of more parts–consoles, seats, etc.–and when a boat became a particular model, it got another number reflecting that identification.
If the boat has been severly used, the metal plate with the hull ID no. may have been damaged or removed. This information is lost forever, unless you can find the painted hull number.
If the seller does not have a title, DO NOT BUY THIS BOAT (or well, tell your brother not to). This becomes endless aggravation. I’ve turned down several boats in the past few months that were really good deals, only to find out they had no title, or they had the “title” but it was never put in their name (meaning, the boat still doesn’t belong to them according to the state).
Next, if there is a title to this boat, get the hull ID number from the Title, and that will give you a point of reference for when you do find the hull ID. That’s the only reason I mention the title thing (sorry I know it looks out of place).
My father and I used to have this exact same boat (1963 model if I remember correctly) although I do not recall where exactly the hull ID was, but I do seem to recall there being two sets of numbers on the upper side near the bow— one was the registration decal, and the other was possibly the hull ID. I don’t recall if they were painted or etched. This was in the mid 90’s and I was a lazy teenager.
Its not on the hull like a normal ID.
This is big letters about 3" high on the bow like registration numbers.
Trying to upload and image… let see how this flies.
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That is probably it. You could probably call the DNR and ask them or ask for an officer, they will be quite familiar with this boat since it’s such a popular/common boat (which I wish I had mine back!!!).
you can go to SCDNR’s website and run the serial number and see if any liens or back taxes are present