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Author Topic:   No Hull Identifier Number

rear view posted 03-27-2015 10:18 AM ET (US)
I'm currently restoring a classic 13-foot Boston Whaler boat. My best estimate on the year would be a early 1960's model. I can't seem to find the original HIN. I looked all around while sanding and never found it. The boat has since been issued a new HIN by Georgia prior to my ownership. The previous owner told me that his father bought the boat from the government somehow. During my sanding I did locate old stenciled paint on the side that said "U.S. ...survey"
Is it possible that the older commerical whalers didn't have a HIN to begin with? I'm not overly concerned about it as I have already registered it in North Carolina under the issued Georgia HIN. I more or less am just curious as to the history of the boat.
I looked all through the reference guide to try to answer my question but I can't seem to locate [the answer].
jimh posted 03-27-2015 11:08 AM ET (US)
I recommend you read the FAQ answer regarding hull identification numbers.
The FAQ answer on hull identification numbers is found at
http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q2

The FAQ will tell you that the federally-required HIN was first used around 1972. On the basis that you think your Boston Whaler boat was made in c.1960, it seems to me to be quite reasonable it would not have a HIN. Its date of manufacture predates the use of a HIN.
Boston Whaler boats have always had a stencil number, but the stenciled information you have described does not sound like the original Boston Whaler stencil number. In general, as far as I have found in any mention or reference, the stencil number was applied at the transom or in a locker. It was not stenciled onto the hull sides to be visible from seaward. It did not include any identification of the buyer.
I can't tell you about any a particular practice with c.1960 hulls that were made for commercial use with regard to use of a stencil number that was different from those practices. In the c.1960 epoch there was no separate commercial division, and hulls could be ordered with heavier layup by anyone. This option is also described in the FAQ. A special marking, also described in the FAQ was used to mark work boat hulls.
Binkster posted 03-27-2015 12:19 PM ET (US)
Boston Whaler didn't have a commercial division in the 1960's. The Navy and the Coast Guard had to buy 13' and 16' Whalers from private dealers and then paint them grey. Since the Coast guard operates under control of the Navy, during wartime, probably all of the Whalers used in that war were purchased by the Navy. Most or all were sent over to Vietnam, and stayed there after the war.
http://www.warboats.org/skimmer.htm
rich

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Author	Topic: No Hull Identifier Number
rear view	posted 03-27-2015 10:18 AM ET (US) I'm currently restoring a classic 13-foot Boston Whaler boat. My best estimate on the year would be a early 1960's model. I can't seem to find the original HIN. I looked all around while sanding and never found it. The boat has since been issued a new HIN by Georgia prior to my ownership. The previous owner told me that his father bought the boat from the government somehow. During my sanding I did locate old stenciled paint on the side that said "U.S. ...survey" Is it possible that the older commerical whalers didn't have a HIN to begin with? I'm not overly concerned about it as I have already registered it in North Carolina under the issued Georgia HIN. I more or less am just curious as to the history of the boat. I looked all through the reference guide to try to answer my question but I can't seem to locate [the answer].
jimh	posted 03-27-2015 11:08 AM ET (US) I recommend you read the FAQ answer regarding hull identification numbers. The FAQ answer on hull identification numbers is found at http://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/#Q2 The FAQ will tell you that the federally-required HIN was first used around 1972. On the basis that you think your Boston Whaler boat was made in c.1960, it seems to me to be quite reasonable it would not have a HIN. Its date of manufacture predates the use of a HIN. Boston Whaler boats have always had a stencil number, but the stenciled information you have described does not sound like the original Boston Whaler stencil number. In general, as far as I have found in any mention or reference, the stencil number was applied at the transom or in a locker. It was not stenciled onto the hull sides to be visible from seaward. It did not include any identification of the buyer. I can't tell you about any a particular practice with c.1960 hulls that were made for commercial use with regard to use of a stencil number that was different from those practices. In the c.1960 epoch there was no separate commercial division, and hulls could be ordered with heavier layup by anyone. This option is also described in the FAQ. A special marking, also described in the FAQ was used to mark work boat hulls.
Binkster	posted 03-27-2015 12:19 PM ET (US) Boston Whaler didn't have a commercial division in the 1960's. The Navy and the Coast Guard had to buy 13' and 16' Whalers from private dealers and then paint them grey. Since the Coast guard operates under control of the Navy, during wartime, probably all of the Whalers used in that war were purchased by the Navy. Most or all were sent over to Vietnam, and stayed there after the war. http://www.warboats.org/skimmer.htm rich