---

Hi Gang! I just bartered for a 1972 Whaler that I am going to bring back to life. The serial number listed on the title does not match the white stenciled number (3A1962) on the splashwell. I know numbers were not mandatory until 11/01/1972 but why the discrepancy ? Thanks! Paul

---

Paul,

There were 2 kinds of numbers in 1972 I believe.
One was the Stencil Hull number as you mention, 3A1962.
Another could be the HIN number... Hull Identification Number.

What number is on the Title?

Your 3A1962 would make this boat a 16/17 foot 1970 model. Not a 1972
http://www.whalercentral.com/readarti...icle_id=61

---

Thanks Joe! I just sent all that info to Texas Parks and Wildlife for the title switch and I didn't write the hull ID down. Why does the title read "year built" 1972 and how is the hull ID determined if the splashwell number indicates it is a 1970 model ? I will post the number as soon as I get it back from TPWD. Thanks! Paul

---

Paul,

The number 3A1962 identifies your boat as a 1970 model. In 1970 there were no Hull Identification Numbers, the stenciled number was it.

It is not uncommon for information on registrations and titles to be in error. It might be as simple as a typographical error from years ago or it might be that the boat was not sold until 1972 and the registration paperwork was filled out as if it were a current model.

You can contact Boston Whaler customer service and they may be able to look up that hull number and tell you more precisely when the boat was built and to what dealer it was shipped.

---

I received my title today from TPWD. The HIN on the title is 262646813 and is listed as a 1972 model with a length of 16' 11". The number stencled on my splashwell is 3a1962. That doesn't add up as mentioned before. Another call to TPWD that went all the way to the top title guru produced no results as to how the HIN was generated from the stenciled #. They are sending a game warden next week to document their discrepancy and find a solution...for a $25 fee of course. The employee said this was the first time they encountered this. Help?? Paul

---

Before the game warden shows up, you should already have contacted Chuck Bennett at Boston Whaler and have a confirmation of what model your boat is and when it was built. Show this to the game warden when he arrives and explain that your boat is a 1970 model and is 16'-7" in length.

It is very common to see bad information on boat registrations. I find it very hard to believe they have never "encountered" this before.

All HINs, be they original manufacturer's HINs or state assigned "Home Built" HINs still have to comport to the federal format of twelve characters starting with the three letter Manufacturer's Identification Code (MIC), five digits for the serial portion and four more digits/letters identifying the month and year of build/model year. The HIN you report on the title does none of this. It is obviously in error.

---

I already have the info from Mr. Bennett and will indeed show it to the officer. I was probably shuffled to the highest "Peter principle" employee and they didn't feel like messing with it. I will communicate the conclusion. Thanks again! Paul

---

I spoke with the game warden's secretary this morning (before she scheduled a visit) and she cut through more red tape than all other sources combined. She said she has seen this numerous times on many vessels (mostly homemade or reglassed & gelcoated) and the best way to save me the $25 inspection and $35 title alteration is get a HIN badge/plate made that matches the HIN on the title, secure it to the vessel and be done with it. This is sound wisdom in my opinion. Any last tips on the best method to attach it before I bust out the 5200 or a die grinder ?!!! PT

---

The HIN tags were riveted on with usually 2 rivets....

I'll see if I can dig up a photo later on unless someone else has one handy....

---

The aluminum HIN tags are affixed with four 1/8" aluminum pop rivets, one in each corner. I'd just use a stamp set to punch the HIN into a 1" x 4" x 1/16" piece of aluminum.

But since your boat is a 1970 that did not have a HIN, what HIN are you going to use? Make one up? Use the erroneous one?

---

Yep.... Tom's right...

I went out and looked at my boat and there a 4 rivets....
My memory ain't what she used to be I guess...

---

I did just that, used the original HIN I got from Chuck at Whaler, had it put on an 1" x 4" alum tag and lettered (deep so I could take a tracing which is req'd by the registry) at a local trophy shop. Did the trick fine and incredibly I was able to drill out the old rivets and the new one fit in the space perfectly. Tom's question remains though, which number are you going to use? Here in MA they assign a number if there isn't one but it's still in the standard 12 character format....

---

I thought stuff like that could only happen to ME, my "HIN" plate fell off, I put it back on with "Marine Tex", I was looking at some aluminum tag's we use at work, they look a lot like the whaler hin number plate, and we have the punch numbers too, hmmmm ! further investigation is needed, we may have something here.
mw

P.S Thank's to all who helped me with the trailer light's last week, "Mission Accomplished", "Derwd" stayed with me, and pushed me through it, Thank-You, bearings are next.

---

I am just going to use the erroneous HIN# that is listed on the title as was suggested by the game warden's secretary. The game warden confirmed that it was perfectly legal and ethical and it would also confirm vessel ownership if I were checked on the water or if it was sold or stolen. A local trophy shop is going to make one for $10 clams. Thanks to everyone who helped me figure out how to solve this puzzle! Paul

---

Can you tell me anything on this hull id?

1965 Boston Whaler Montauck 17

Msz mt 804e404

---

Jer -

That is not a Whaler issued HIN.

---

That’s what I thought.

---

Hello, first post here. I am looking for info on my newly acquired boat which happens to have a HID (or stencil number… still learning the difference..) as the post above.

Mine is MSZ MT 266 G404.

Being familiar with Whalers around my area (Boston North Shore) this appears to have all the usual markings and shape of a pre-1974 16 ft whaler.

Any thoughts?

---

MST is the code for a Massachusetts regulatory authority issued HIN since the original was not present or missing.

The sequence number is stenciled on the inside wall of the transom if not painted over.

The HIN would be on a metal tag on the outside of the transom on the upper starboard side.

The interior features determined what specific model it was.

---

Phil T, thank you.
I wish I could upload a picture, but the (very old and rusted) metal tag on outside transom starboard side has what appears to be the exact same number as the MA Environmental Police sticker placed next to it.

---

What is the Stencil number on the inside of the transom?
Would start with 3A if it is around a 1969-1974 model.
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...cle_id=102

Bow differences in 16/17 models.
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...cle_id=100

---

Mike552,
See original Whaler HIN tag numbers here starting with BWC.
Boston Whaler Corporation = BWC

Some HIN numbers are on an aluminum tag and other are embedded in the gel coat.
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...cle_id=103

---

Thanks, Joe.

I finally found the stencil number is 30874, which puts it as one of the very early 16’s ever made, it seems. Pretty cool because it is in awesome shape from the looks of it!

---

Great. Looks like it is a 1962 16' model of some sort.
What model?
https://www.whalercentral.com/userpho...allery.php

Or maybe a Custom model?
https://www.whalercentral.com/faq.php...p?cat_id=5

---

Thank you. From the previous owner’s picture it appears to have had a center console, but no more. It is set up in a Currituck style right now but not an exact setup.

I am winterizing the boat as we speak with the intent of turning it into an Eastport-style setup.. with a reinvisioned center console. Will try my hardest to keep the period correct feel however I am not a fan of the Nauset split window look so I will have to design something that is retro looking but more stylish to my taste.

I have woodworking experience and rrally looking forward to making this boat my own!

---

Enjoy your project and restoration or custom configuration.