---

As most of you know, I have been collecting boat information on the Montauk models for many years now.
For those of you that don't know, check the article here.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

Through all this info, we are getting close to narrowing down what the exact hull number was when Whaler changed from the pre-smirked (Smirkless) hull to the newer Smirked hull of 1976 models. Boston Whaler did not keep track of this particular information.

In a discussion with Chuck Bennett at Boston Whaler, the first Smirked hulls were introduced in October of 1975 as 1976 models.
This would mean that some early 16/17 1976 models were still Smirkless. This also means that 1976 models could either be Smirkless or Smirked depending on when they were manufactured.

We now have concrete evidence that narrows down this change to within 63 hull numbers at this time.
Here is the info.
--------------
3B0330 - Smirkless (last Smirkless on the list)
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=17372

63 other boats fit in here (are these Smirkless or Smirked?)

3B0394 -Smirked (first Smirk on our list)
No photos as yet but BillB said he would send us some.
--------------

We have a couple of other members that I haven't heard back from yet to determine what they actually have.

I am waiting to hear from ChelseaFish who has Stencil number 3B0352
I can't tell from her personal page if her Montauk is Smirkless or Smirked and I am not going to guess.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=13524

I am aslo waiting to hear back from Paulsv on his Stencil number. He has a Smirked 1976 hull but not sure where it fits.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...er_id=6410

So, do any of you have a 1976 16/17 hull with a Stencil number between 3B0330 and 3B0394 ?????
It doesn't matter what model you have, this has to do with just the 16/17 hull and the Stencil number of that 16/17 hull.

Please let us know so we can try to narrow this down further.

---

Joe,

My 1976 Newport has a stencil of 3B0887 and a HIN of BWC853676H

The Stencil on Paulsv's boat is completely hidden by a transom plate. I almost bought the boat before he did. I just could not agree on a price with the broker. Here is a link to images of the boat to show what I am talking about.
http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d1/...20Montauk/

---

Thanks Jeff.

Yes, you have the smirked hull and so does Paul looking at his personal page and your links.

I was hoping Paul knew his Stencil number either from records or by contacting Boston Whaler. It should be easy enough to find out his stencil number by providing Boston Whaler with the HIN number.

As you can see from the list above, 3B0330 is the last Smirkless hull we have on our list.
3B0394 is the first Smirked hull we have on our list.
That leaves 63 boats in between.

ChelseaFish's Montauk has a number of 3B0352 which is in between the boats we have listed but we aren't sure which hull she has.
I have not been able to contact her.
I was also hoping to hear from Paul or anyone else that has a Stencil number in between the above numbers so we can fill in the gaps.

A gap of 63 hulls isn't much in the big scheme and we are narrowing it down.

---

ChelseaFish's Montauk with a Stenciled number of 3B0352 is a non-smirked hull.

I know it is hard to see, and it is amazing that two good photos like that could just about perfectly avoid showing the tell-tales of which it is, but I can see the inside line of the gunwale at the bow and it curves around like the rub rail indicating it does not have the triangular step pads that the smirked 16-7" hulls had.

---

I agree Tom.

Still I don't want to sorta, kinda, guess... Maybe a curved camera shot?
A photo of the bow would really be evidence.
For now, I am going with really hard facts although I agree with you.

pre-smirk, non-smirk, Smirkless, all amount to the same thing.
If we were to consider hers to be Smirkless, then she would have the last one we have listed as Smirkless.
3B0352 Smirkless to 3B0394 Smirked would narrow it down to 41 hulls.

We would definitely be getting closer.
I don't know how close we will ever get but it will be interesting to find out in the future.

Thanks for your insight.

I did add her to the list as the last Smirkless with a ? ..... as the boat is most likely Smikrless.
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

---

Too bad we can't get ahold of ChelseaFish. A shot from *any* other angle would probably tell us for sure.

A shot of the bow would show the smirk...or not.

A shot of the interior would show the bow locker, or the boxy "steps" on the old hulls or the triangular pads on the newer hulls.

---

She moved and has a different email address than what she has in her profile.
I have sent her a couple of PM's but she hasn't visited the site since I sent them to her.

For everyone, this is why it is important to have your current email address in your profile. If we want to get a hold of you for some reason, your email address needs to be current. This is also mandatory in our "Code of Conduct" and when registering to become a new member.

If you changed your email address but haven't updated it in your user profile, please do so for future use.
Thanks

---

Joe-

Sorry about the delay in getting back to you. I live in Illinois and keep the boat in Michigan, and just got it out of storage. I couldn't get the stencil number because it is covered by a transom plate. I hate to have to unbolt it, if there is another way of getting the stencil number from the HIN. That motor is kinda heavy.....

I added a picture of the HIN on my personal page. Kinda hard to make out, but it looks like BWCB 6128 M 76D.

Paul

---

Joe-

I emailed BW's customer service to ask if they could get me a stencil number from the HIN.

Paul

---

Thanks Paul.

I thought you had the 76D model which was made in November of 1975 as a 1976 model.

I have added you to the listed but can't be exactly positive where you fit until we get the Stencil number. You can see that some of the HIN numbers aren't in consecutive order as compared to the Stencil numbers which take precedence in order.

Your HIN is definitely readable in your photo.
BWCB6128M76D

Looking forward to finding out your Stencil number.

---

Well, that was a quick response from BW, and a lot easier than un-bolting the motor. Here is their response:

"The serial number assigned to this boat was 3B0364. This boat was built in our old Rockland, MA factory as a 17' Montauk and was originally shipped out to a Gregory Boat in Detroit, MI on 11/12/75 (as a 1976 model)."

It looks like that reduces the gap to 34, at the most, or possibly to 14, if 3B0352 is a Smirkless.

---

Thanks for the info Paul.

Yes, that narrows it down to 11 hulls between the Stencil numbers we have
3B0352 = Last Smirkless hull (for now this is ChelseaFish)
3B0364 = First Smirked hull (for now this is Paulsv)

Does anyone have a Stencil number between those above?
The numbers below are the ones we are looking for.

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

Help us fill in the gaps and try to narrow it down to the exact Stencil number that changed from the pre-Smirked hull (Smirkless) to the newer Smirked hull.

---

Should we be looking for models other than Montauks? Could some of the intervening numbers be smirkless Sakonnets, for example?

---

Any 16/17 hull that has those eleven 3B Stencil numbers.

Some models ended in the 1975 model year so they won't have those numbers.
The Sakonnet or Newport models might have one of those numbers but not positive.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...owstart=20

Some new 1976 17' Sport models may have those numbers.
http://www.whalercentral.com/userphot...lbum_id=46

Here is one 1976 Sport 17' with a 3B0417 stencil number and was made in October of 1975 as a 1976 model. HIN BWCB6104M76C and has the newer Smirked Hull.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=11876

---

While I realize Chuck's time is valuable, but shouldn't he be able to take all those Stencils and be able to track down what models there were sold as? Also where they were sold to? Whether they were smirked or not is another story yes, I know, but the models would be a start.

---

They were most likely sold as Montauks by looking at the other models Stencil numbers.

I have asked Chuck many questions and they are still ongoing.
He has been very helpful in our gathering of information.

The 1976 Sport 17' above has the stencil of 3B0417 but has a much earlier HIN of 76C. C= October of 1975...
This new Sport 17' model was actually made before some of the Montauks above but has a later Stencil and an earlier HIN... I asked Chuck about this also.
It's just the way it was back then was his reply. Hulls came out of the mold with a Stencil number and sat in the lot until they were outfitted, finished, and then given an HIN number.

If we narrow this down to less than these 11 hulls, it will almost be like finding a pre-hestoric mummy with an iPhone in his hand... :)

I have been gathering the Montauk list and information for about 7 years. Prior to this post, the list showed us that the 3A hulls were Smirkless and the 3B hulls were the new Smirked models. That is until Lionheart and ChelseaFish listed their boats. Lionheart is actually the boat that started prompted me to start this thread and more investigation.

Both of these boats are Smirkless and have the 3B stencil number.
From all the models that I have been taking information on, there has always been transition with parts and optional equipment. As an example, some 1986 Outrage and Montauk models still had the older 1983-1985 consoles in them. Whaler used up all the consoles they had even in the newer 1986 model which theoretically should have had the newer 1986 console. It's just the way it is.

Now we see they apparently had a few of the older Smirkless hulls lying around in the lot and sent them out the door as 1976 models which in theory should have been the newer Smirked hulls. So, another transition.
This is different than automobiles. You won't see a 1966 Porsche that has a 1965 body.

So, we are still interested in the 11 hulls listed above with those Stencil numbers.
Anyone?

---

Hello Joe,
I,m hoping you can help me. A while back i procured a whaler hull. A montauk to be precise. i'm having trouble finding the hull numbers. Unfortunatly the hull's been painted several times. The gentleman who gave me the hull had lost the title. He thinks it might be around 1968. Im hoping that you might have some ideas that i could use to identify the hull. Thats the first step. The next problem is to try and register it with out a title. I thank you for any info.


Thanks again,
Shawn Barry

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Chelseafish has a smirkless hull, you can tell that the front deck drops off immediatly after the second front rail leg

---

Shawn Berry,
Not sure how titling a salvage boat works in Ma. but in Ga. we have to have the Dept. of Natural Resources (aka game warden) come inspect the boat and any paperwork that might be available. They will then issue the paperwork to obtain registration numbers. Get a letter, notorized is best, from the person who gave it to you and then call your local office or whichever govt. agency is responsible for their licensing etc. for information.

Zap

---

So we don't loose track...
We are looking for anyone with these Stencil Numbers...

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

---

Hey , been a while....but still looking and may get lucky today. I'm going to look at a 1976 Newport. Add says it needs some tlc, and no trailer. Anything to watch out for, look at that is specific to Newports? Remember I'm still the new guy. Where can I fing the HIN and other important numbers? This could be one of the boats you're searching for to add to the list? Thanks.

---

UPDATE: I drove as quickly as I could to see this Whaler but another guy beat my arrival by only a few minutes and after listening to the motor turn over, bought it. I made a counter offer before there was any money exchanged to the owner that was higher, just to make things "interesting" which I think annoyed him, but of course the owner said he had to accomodate the gentleman who was there ahead of me. I thanked the old and congratulated the new owner, shook hands with everyone, and left with no boat.....again. Who knows the new owner may join this site. I wish him well. The Newport was exactly as described. I would have definately made it mine.

BUT.......I have my eye one another one......a member here. We'll see.

---

And the Stencil number of the boat was ??

So we don't loose track...
We are looking for anyone with these Stencil Numbers...

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

ChelseaFish who has Stencil number 3B0352 is the last Smirkless hull we have listed and is a 1976 model.
Paulsv who has Stencil number 3B0364 is the first Smirked hull we have listed and is a 1976 model.

---

Didn't really get a good look as the old and new owners were in the rear of the boat playing around with the motor. The one brief glimpse I had was 3B0154 I think.

---

So this was a Smirkless hull?

---

yes

---

If the hull is smirkless, you are looking at a 1975 hull. This was the first year of production on the Newport model and built on smirkless hulls in White rather than Desert Tan.

For Newport seekers, check the front bucket seats as the frames are tender to begin with and typically take a beating with little protection.

Also, check the side decks and storage compartments as some knuckle-headed fool may have used one for a boarding step and damaged the inner panels and trim.

Good Hunting!!!

---

No, some smirkless 16'-7" hulls are 1976 models.

All small Whalers, including the Newport, built before 1984 were Outrage Grey (really just an off-white) on the outside and Desert Tan on the inside. Starting in 1984 all were Desert Tan on both the inside and outside.

---

I don't want this thread to get off track please.

So we don't loose track...
We are looking for anyone with these Stencil Numbers...

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

ChelseaFish who has Stencil number 3B0352 is the last Smirkless hull we have listed and is a 1976 model.
Paulsv who has Stencil number 3B0364 is the first Smirked hull we have listed and is a 1976 model.

---

I'm looking at one with number 3B0404. It's smirkless and a 1976 as far as I know.

---

I know where a couple are sitting about the right vintage but would not smirkless from shirtless. will get numbers and pix .

---

Dan, go back to post one in this thread and click on the photos Joe highlighted. It is pretty simple to distinguish smirk from smirkless!

---

We are still looking for anyone with these Stencil Numbers...

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

---

Joe, have you seen this boat. Its a 1976 with smirkless hull.

http://detroit.craigslist.org/wyn/boa...27777.html

Wade

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Yes, that would be Lionhearts boat.
http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...r_id=17372

We already have that boat listed as 3B0330 ........

---

Joe, Glad you are trying to run this down. I was wondering if you have the info on when the 13 went from smirkless to smirked. Additionally we just found a blue interior smirked hull with a fifteen inch transom and I'm trying to find out how many 15" transoms with an engine well were made with blue interiors. We think we have a rare find. Can you help us? You can see some pics that I posted on my page.

---

You bet. We have that info in the "Frequently Asked Questions" link on the left sidebar.

Still looking for those 11 missing Stencil numbers for 16/17' hulls.
Please keep this thread on track.
Thanks....

---

I have a 1970 regular front stencil 3A1614. I recently bought my neighbors old 16 and your site has been very helpful in my refurb.

---

We are still looking for anyone with these 11 Stencil Numbers listed below.

3B0330 = 1976 Smirkless hull (Lionheart)
3B0352 = 1976 Last Smirkless hull (for now this is ChelseaFish)
-------------------

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357 -----> We are looking for these 11 Stencil numbers.
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

------------------
3B0364 = 1976 First Smirked hull (for now this is Paulsv)

---

Hey Joe - Ill take a look for my Hull ID for this thread - mines a smirkless 1976 according to the previous owners.....Ill get back to you after work today....

---

Yes, please let us know.
Hopefully it will be one of the eleven numbers we are looking for.

Without knowing your HIN or Stencil number, we have no idea what year you have.
Could be 1973, 1974, 1975
And it could be a 1976 but there aren't many of those smirkless 1976 models.

---

Got it - 3A8002. With this number I can track the exact year of my hull?

---

The HIN gives us more info on the year and what month it was made.
What is your HIN?
Should be a tag on the back of the transom.

3A8002
Looks like it was made sometime in late 1973 as a 1974 year model.
But without the HIN, we can't be positive.

EDIT:
It is beginning to look like you have a 1974 model and not a 1976 model as you show in your profile.

Here is a trick to reading worn out HIN tags.
Use a flashlight and a magnifying glass. Look at it from various angles.
Here is what your HIN will look like:
BWCA6???M74?

Your boat will come before mrobertson in this list
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

---

Thanks for the info Joe - ill see if I can get the other number from my marina as the plate on the back of the hull is not on the boat.

---

This tag is missing?
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...cle_id=103

---

Amazing. The information on this site never ceases to amaze me. I'm back to my boat the end of this week and hopefully I'll find it with this new useful information.

By the way I had my Montauk out in some heavy chop and wow for a boat of this size it can really handle some rough water!

---

We are still looking for anyone with these 11 Stencil Numbers listed below.
The last 3 digits of your HIN will most likely be 76D (made in November or 1975) (but could be a C in October)
The last Smirkless hull below ends with 76D and the first Smirked hull starts with 76D
http://www.whalercentral.com/articles...icle_id=17

3B0330 = 1976 Smirkless hull (Lionheart)
3B0352 = 1976 Last Smirkless hull (for now this is ChelseaFish)
-------------------

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357 -----> We are looking for these 11 Stencil numbers.
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

------------------
3B0364 = 1976 First Smirked hull (for now this is Paulsv)

---

I have a new to me 1976 but I do not think it is going to be one of the ones your after with the HIN 76L but I will be checking for my stencil number this weekend for sure. (it is located in the anchor locker correct?)

---

Joe.
Hello, I am a new owner of a 1976 Newport. I just picked her up a few weeks ago. the Stencil number is 3B0392.

---

OK.

Thanks.

---

Time to bring this up again as we are still looking for the 11 Stencil numbers in post #47 above.

Anyone?

---

This boat throws a curve into everything.
http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ost_144830

1976 Sport
BWCB6086M76C
3B0413
Smirkless
Small Bow Locker

This one shows us that Boston Whaler was building both Smirked and Smirkless at the same time and this stencil number comes after newer hulls with the Smirk.
They didn't even wait until they sold out of the old models before selling the new models.

3B0364 with the brand new Smirk and larger bow locker
3B0394 with the brand new Smirk and larger bow locker
3B0413 with the older Smirkless hull and small bow locker.

What a strange transition year.

---

Milkin every last bit out of those molds!
TP

---

Hi Joe:

On 16 Apr 2019 a new Whaler Central member, jpanner, posted photographs of his Boston Whaler 16 bare hull. The photographs show a stencil number 3B0365 and a partial HIN ...6055..76C

The photographs also show the 3B0365 is a smirkless hull.

So, while 3B0364 has the smirk and larger bow locker, 3B0365 is a smirkless hull and small bow locker.

As you wrote back in 2016, the 1976 production year was a strange year for transition from smirkless 16 hull manufacturing to the smirked 17 hull.

I cite that it was Dick Cole who originated the phrase: "HYDRO-FUBAB." It was Bob Dougherty who attributed the phrase and used the term to describe the new Boston Whaler "Smirk."

Note: Hydrofubab is best translated to stand for (and bowdlerized): “hydrodynamic foulup beyond all belief."

2nd Note: Bowdlerized means material considered improper or offensive removed or changed.

---

Thanks for pointing that out Weatherly.
I missed it.

Strange transition year for sure.

3B0364 with the brand new Smirk and larger bow locker (Paulsv) http://www.whalercentral.com/infusion...er_id=6410
3B0365 with the older Smirkless hull and small bow locker (jpanner) http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...pid=157773
3B0394 with the brand new Smirk and larger bow locker (BiilB)
3B0413 with the older Smirkless hull and small bow locker (geomek) http://www.whalercentral.com/forum/vi...ost_155626

Apparently they were making the older 16 hull and the newer 17 hull during the same time frame according to the Stencil Number in the hull.

---

Joe: I came across 3B0317 with smirk and large bow locker, a 1976 Montauk 17 with the wing console located for sale in Van Buren Point NY. Second owner has the boat posted for sale on Craigslist. I have a photograph of the stencil.

https://buffalo.craigslist.org/boa/d/...56161.html

---

What is the difference between smirk and smirkless?
I just got a 1976, maybe i can help...

---

Smirk is the bow of the boat under the rubrail. Sometime during the 1976 model year they changed the hull design from the old style hull whith a rectangle anchor locker and steps in the bow to a triangle anchor locker and no steps on the deck but now has small foot pads on each corner by the rubrail to help getting in/out of the boat.

---

Ok,
So I guess I have an older one,
I have the rectangle storage and 2 small steps.
I hope this helps.

---

BWCB5951M76A is the hull number
It has the Rectangle anchor storage .

---

We are looking for these Stencil Numbers on the Hull.
-------------------

3B0353
3B0354
3B0355
3B0356
3B0357 -----> We are looking for these 11 Stencil numbers.
3B0358
3B0359
3B0360
3B0361
3B0362
3B0363

------------------

From your HIN of BWCB5951M76A, I do not believe that your boat has those Stencil numbers.
https://www.whalercentral.com/article...icle_id=17

Thanks for checking anyway.

---

Joe, since they are in order from 353 to 363 do you think that maybe they were just skipped by accident or maybe on purpose as in experimental smirked hulls? Has anyone contacted Whaler with one to see where it went to what dealer?

I had a smirked 1976 but I sold that before this site was started. Might have been one but I will never know. If anyone bought a 1976 Montauk with a 1985 115 Johnson and a teal bimini in Ellenton, FL around 1999 or 2000, let me know.

---

Anything is possible Nick.

Just hoping someone will have one of those Stencil numbers for more info.

The last Smikless hull so far was 3B0352

The first Smriked hull so far was 3B0364

So we know that somewhere in those 10 hulls is when they changed over from Smirkless to Smirk hull.
In the big scheme of things, that isn't too far from knowing when the change occurred but it would be nice to narrow it down further.

Let's keep our eye out.

---

The first smirked hull that I have seen was stencil 3B0317. See my post #56 dated 07/16/2019. I have a photograph of the stencil and boat as proof.

---

Hi Weatherly,
The link you show from a Craigs list is no longer available in your post #56
https://www.whalercentral.com/forum/v...ost_158713

Not sure I would trust any photos on Craigs list as years ago someone was selling a 1978 Montauk that had photos of my prior Montauk on the ad.

Not that I don't trust or believe you. If it was on Craigs list, then they could have used a photo of "a" Stencil and another photo of one with a Smirk etc.

If you personally took the photos then that would be different.

I am open for wherever the facts lead us.
I did not take these photos but our member, ChelseaFish posted these on their personal page and the last smirkless that I have ever seen if the photos are true.
https://www.whalercentral.com/infusio...r_id=13524

---

Hi Joe:

The information I gathered on the 1976 Boston Whaler Montauk 17 smirked hull, Stencil number 3B0317, did not originate from the craigslist ad.

I obtained detailed information about the boat directly from the owner. I have more than 2 pages of notes about the boat, its history, condition and photographs.

This boat - 3B0317 - is one of the very first Montauk 17 smirked hulls manufactured at Rockland, MA.

The boat left the factory on 10-14-1975 and was shipped to a dealer in NY.

The HIN is BWCB6031M76C

I confirmed all of this information about Stencil 3B0317 with Boston Whaler, Inc.

Regards,

Weatherly

---

Adding to this old thread. Finally wrote down my stencil number on my 16’7. 3A8514. It should be a 1974 Montauk. Thanks.