1983 Montauk missing Hull Identification Number

[robbyrosa]

I recently bought and restored a 1983 Montauk for which I have the title. When I went to register it at 251 Causeway in Boston they told me I can't register it without a pencil tracing of the Hull Identification Number, which is missing.

I bought the boat a guy who said he went to Hyannis and just needed the title to register it. I'm trying to find somewhere else on the hull where a second HIN might be located, but I can't find one anywhere. I've tried inside the bow locker, but nothing. No HIN plate, nothing embedded into transom rail. Any advice on where else I might find [a second hull identification number]?

[jimh]

Is the STENCIL NUMBER still visible?

[robbyrosa]

Yes. The stencil serial number is still visible on the center of the inside transom.

[OldKenT]

Call Whaler and choose the menu pic for Technical help (I think it is menu pick #3). It will get you to Chuck Bennett. Give him the Stencil number and he will give you the complete HIN. Have a new HIN tag made either by Magic Brush in Deland FL (which will be a painted tag not an embossed tag) or go to your local vocational school and have them emboss a tag. Then attach it to the transom with blind rivets. Take a photo. MA will accept the photo. An alternative, as spelled out in the MA boat registration handbook, is to set up an appointment to take the boat to the Environmental Police office where a new HIN will be assigned and a tag affixed to the boat.
BTW, how did the prior owner register it in MA without an HIN?

[robbyrosa]

This is great information. Thank you very much. Great question about how the previous owner was able to register it without a HIN. He claims all he took with him to get it registered was the title and that he didn't have a problem. It will be interesting to find out if the HIN on the title matches the HIN that I get from Whaler!!!

[robbyrosa]

Thanks guys. I called and spoke to Chuck who pulled their old hand written logs with the hull stencils and read me of the HIN which indeed matched the HIN on my title. I've got an email into Magic Brush to order an official replacement HIN. What a great resource you have all been. Thanks again.

[OldKenT]

Great! And good luck with your new Whaler.

[Jeff]

Magic Brush does not do HIN metal tags. You will have to go to a trophy shop and have a metal plate engraved.

[OldKenT]

Jeff, I have one that they did in March for the person who sold me a Whaler. When I called to see if they would emboss one (the one he got was painted), I was told they stopped embossing several years ago. So I got one embossed at a local vocational school. Ken