Stencil Number Decoding 16-footer

[intruder44]

[Seeks model information about a 16-footer with a] stencil number 3A0270.

I am trying to register [a c.1970 16-foot hull made by Boston Whaler whose legal title has been lost] and restore it. Any help identifying the model is appreciated.

[jimh]

A 16-foot hull with stencil number 3A0270 would likely be a 1969 production year, perhaps sold as a 1970 model-year boat. For more advice see

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q1

and

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/16-17/

The hull stencil number only provides a production number reference, and there is no model indication information encoded in the stencil number itself that can be decoded according to a schema.

The only information about model comes from old records kept by Boston Whaler. This is explained in the FAQ answer linked above. To see photographs of the old record books, read this article:

BOSTON WHALER FACTORY TOUR
Where Legends Are Made
by Jim Hebert
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/factory.html

Generally the model of the boat will be self-evident if the boat is in original condition, as each model had distinctive interior components. If there are no distinctive interior components left on the boat, the boat no longer has an identify as a particular model it once was, it is just a 16-foot hull. You can restore it to be any model you like. See images of various models in the REFERENCE article at

http://continuouswave.com/whaler/refere ... odels.html

It is nice that the stencil number is preserved. You should continue to preserve it while doing any restoration, that is, don't cover it with new gel coat or paint.