Hull Identification ??

[bigddaddy]

Did a search on this, but was unable to find the answer:

How can one tell the model year of a V20? Is there a hull identification number located somewhere on the boat? Any other tell-tale signs?

TIA,
Ray

[fishmaster63]

big, on the right side of the transom you will find a number with about twenty or so characters. usually the last two numbers are the model year.

[bigddaddy]

Thanks for the quick response!

I'll be revisiting a V20 that I may be purchasing this weekend and I'll check the transom for the numbers..........

[Blue_Runner]

Bigdaddy, if by chance the numbers are gone, that would mean the transom was probably re-done due to rot.

Also, if that is the case, you might need to look through the gallery at the vintage brochures put out by Wellcraft. There are tell tell features on the different year models that can be used identify the hull year. for example, cuddy door was added in the late 70's I think. If you look at the brochures, you'll see what I mean. There were slight changes introduced over the years.

Good luck.

Blue

[bigddaddy]

Thanks Blue - I plan to take some digital pics of the boat this weekend and should be able to compare those to the brochures in the event that the numbers are gone.

[WiseGuy]

And of course, you'll want to post those pictures for us V20 photo addicts, right !?

[Skools Out]

the hull ID is required to be located in 2 locations for theft reasons. I'm not sure of the second on a V20 but it will be hidden under a trim part or somewhere hidden from sight. The hull ID numbers are always 12 to 15 Characters unless it's a Prototype Hull or a Home built Hull. They are usually 7 to 10 Chartacters in that case.

Here's more indepth info for you all

Play the Numbers Game
(What's a HIN?)
Did you ever wonder what that strange series of letters and numbers on the transom of your boat are. Well, if you have taken the Nautical Know How course you know they are Hull Identification Numbers (HIN) and that they are required. But, what do they mean?

All boats manufactured or imported on or after November 1, 1972 must bear a HIN. The HIN is a 12 character serial number that uniquely identifies your boat. The HIN has an important safety purpose. It enables manufacturers to clearly identify for boat owners the boats that are involved in a defect notification and recall campaign. A HIN is not the same as a State registration number, which may be required to be displayed on the bow of your boat. The HIN is a Federal requirement; your boat’s registration number is a State requirement similar to the license plate on your car. The HIN, however, is required to be shown on the State certificate of registration.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pre841.gif
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/pre842.gif

AUG *A
SEP * B
OCT *C
NOV *D
DEC *E
JAN * F *
FEB * G
MAR *H
APR * I
MAY * J
JUN * K
JUL * *L

*Key to Month of Model Year

Figure 1 - HIN Formats Before August 1, 1984

The boat manufacturer must display two identical hull identification numbers, no less than one-fourth of an inch high, on each boat hull. The primary HIN must be permanently affixed (so that it can be seen from outside the boat) to the starboard side of the transom within two inches of the top of the transom, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. On boats without transoms or on boats on which it would be impractical to the transom, the HIN must be affixed to the starboard outboard side of the hull, aft within one foot of the stern and within two inches of the top of hull side, gunwale, or hull/deck joint, whichever is lowest. The starboard outboard side of the hull aft is the preferred HIN location for many manufacturers. On catamarans and pontoon boats the HIN must be affixed on the aft crossbeam within one foot of the starboard hull attachment.

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/aft84.gif

JAN * *A
FEB * *B
MAR * C
APR * *D
MAY * *E
JUN * * F
JUL * * G
AUG * *H
SEP * * I
OCT * *J
NOV * *K
DEC * *L




Figure 2 - HIN Format After August 1, 1984

Boats manufactured or imported on or after August 1, 1984, also have a duplicate secondary HIN affixed somewhere on an unexposed location inside the boat or beneath a fitting or item of hardware. The purpose is to help authorities identify your boat if a thief or vandals remove or damage the primary HIN on the transom. It is illegal for anyone (manufacturer, dealer, distributor, or owner) to alter or remove a HIN without the express written authorization of the Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard.

The regulations prescribe the format of the HIN. The first three characters are a MIC (Manufacturer Identification Code) assigned by the Coast Guard to the manufacturer or the person importing the boat; characters four through eight are a serial number assigned by the manufacturer; the last four characters indicate the month and year the boat was built, and the model year. Prior to August 1, 1984, the manufacturer had the option of expressing this in the form of a model year designation.

The Coast Guard maintains a searchable database of MICs if you want to check yours out.
http://www.navcen.uscg.mil/gnab/search.htm

Individuals building boats for their own use and not for the purposes of sale are what are referred to as "backyard boat builders". They must obtain a 12 character HIN from their State boating agency. The Manufacturer Identification Code at the beginning of the HIN for a "home built" boat is an abbreviation for the State followed by a "Z" which indicates that it is a State identification.

[reelapeelin]

Never ceases to amaze...

[BigDaddy]

What if you have more letters than numbers, as in my case?
Am i reading this wrong? The last thing I want is a "counterfit" V20.
Lil help?

[tsubaki]

Ya'll double check me, if the last digit is a 0.
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/community/attachment.php?attachmentid=410&d=1215377696
1980 Fisherman
http://www.wellcraftv20.com/gallery/albums/cat_1980/06_20_2006_11_54_03AM_Large.jpg

[BigDaddy]

It's a 6.
WELF32411586
V20

Im not sure about the "1's", they (or one of them) could be the letter "I".

[tsubaki]

WEL, should be Wellcraft.
F, should be Fisherman.
324115, could be number of production.
86, should be year 1986.
V20, don't know what the hell that is.