CONTINUOUSWAVE

I recently purchased a 1972 Boston Whaler and the seller says it’s a Montauk, but from what I’ve read they only were produced after 1973, so I’m confused. The [hull stencil number] is 3A4950 and it’s also stamped very lightly inside the boat at the back of transom. I just need some expert help on this.

The registration says the boat is 1972 Boston Whaler 16 Montauk.

ASIDE
I’m new to the forum and am sorry if I asked this in the wrong section. [ You did use the wrong forum, but your post has been moved to THE GAM for discussion—Moderator]

I’m 54-years-old and I have always wanted a Boston Whaler boat. I am very excited to learn all I can.

The stencil number 3A4950 identifies the hull as a 1971 16-foot hull. See the article in REFERENCE linked below.

The model name MONTAUK was not used in 1971, so your 1971 hull could not have been sold by Boston Whaler as a MONTAUK model.

To deduce what your boat may be will require seeing a photograph that shows clearly the arrangement of the original interior components of the boat, which most likely were made from fine mahogany wood or plywood. If those original wooden components did not survive 54-years of use until now (2025), determination of what the boat was originally will be very difficult.

At one time—up until about c.2020—Boston Whaler customer service could look up old hand-written records and identify the particular original model from the hull stencil number. If the hull had or still has a federal HIN it would be in the form of a embossed metal plate affixed to the outboard face of the transom, beginning with the letters BWC.

Note also your hull most likely has no federal hull identification number (HIN) be cause the requirement to have a federal HIN occurred in 1972.

Read more about your boat at

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

Read more about interpretation of federal HIN identifying marks at

https://continuouswave.com/whaler/reference/FAQ/

Many people misuse the term MONTAUK to mean any sort of Boston Whaler boat.

This boat was restored and there are no mahogany [interior components to add in identification of the original model].

I’m glad you told me the year was 1971 and not 1972, because I was actually born in 1971--pretty neat.

Thank you very much for the explanation and your time.

It was restored and there are no mahogany proofs to identify it as you said. Thanks again for your expertise and time. I’m glad you told me the year (1971) and not 1972, because I was actually born in 1971, pretty neat. Thanks again!!