1971 PolarKraft?????

[hubbytomdaman]

I have a PolarKraft 16' Jon boat that the title says 1971,but the HID is a 5 diget number ending in 72,I read in a article that since HID's where made mandatory in Nov. 1972,that manufacture stamped what was in stock at the time with jsut a numerical system at first before using a Alph/Numerical system,if thats the case then maybe it is a 1971,either way still dont know the model # ,does anyone out there know where I can find this info,some old brochures,anything to positivly ID this boat,want to make her origanal,PolarKraft said they did not have any info on boats that old,Thanks for any helpthat any one can give me any web sites? been looking for a few weeks now

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

Ya, anything pre internet is hard to find especially something like that to where only 200-300 people had one and 90% of those are gone.

If the factory doesn't have anything I think you are in for a long haul here, 39 years is a long time, I doubt anyone that built your boat still works there or is even alive at this point.

Is this just an aluimiunm jon boat or is it built up inside?

Other than having it original I really don't think it will add much if any value to the boat and finding original parts could be very very hard and expensive depending on what you are looking for.

I wish you luck but I think you have found about all there is to find, there si a place you cna look up HIN numbers at the coast gaurd I think but I don't have the link, google it maybe, you shouod be able to get at least hp rating a load info.

 

[hubbytomdaman]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

Ya, anything pre internet is hard to find especially something like that to where only 200-300 people had one and 90% of those are gone.

If the factory doesn't have anything I think you are in for a long haul here, 39 years is a long time, I doubt anyone that built your boat still works there or is even alive at this point.

Is this just an aluimiunm jon boat or is it built up inside?

Other than having it original I really don't think it will add much if any value to the boat and finding original parts could be very very hard and expensive depending on what you are looking for.

I wish you luck but I think you have found about all there is to find, there si a place you cna look up HIN numbers at the coast gaurd I think but I don't have the link, google it maybe, you shouod be able to get at least hp rating a load info.

5150abf,
thanks man,your probally right,I was wondering how you came up with 200-300 people owned one of these boats?Is that how many where produced?or is that just a ball park guess?I still want to find out the model #,maybe by matching a picture or specs. anyways I wanted to send you this link to some pretty intresting info on HID's,from the sounds of this info my 5 diget HID would only be relivant to the factory,let me know what you think,thanks
http://www.sailingbreezes.com/sailing_breezes_current/articles/Feb00/hull_identification.htm

 

[hubbytomdaman]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

5150abf,
forgot to answer your question about my boat,it's a 16' Jon with only one seat at the rear,think its called a Flat Open,got that from a site that showed differnet types of Jon Boats,thanks again for your response,let me know what you think about that link? Already tried the Coast Gaurd site,without a 12 diget Hid,Ya you guessed it,nada

 

[5150abf]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

That number came straight from my hinny, just saying pronbably not that many people had those boats and most of them have been scrapped for a long time now.

If it was a built up bass style boat or something you would have a really hard time finding parts but being a jon you are good.

Just make it what you want it to be.

 

[steelespike]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

You might try just searching for vintage aluminum boats.retro aluminum boats,classic aluminum boats aluminum boat blogs etc.I know there is a Crestliner site,Alumacraft, Duratech and others,
can't recall the brands just now.

 

[concretman]

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

I just inherited the same jon boat and would like to restore it. I also need the max hp rating would appreciate any info thanks

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: 1971 PolarKraft?????

it's possible someone took a hull plate off another boat to get it registered. Even the dealer selling last year's stock in 1972.

But I wouldn't sweat it; one year especially on a generic (but excellant) boat like yours makes no difference. You can restore it for yourself but there will be no added value with historical accuracy.

I have seen a wide range between the year of manufacture and the "model year" on boats and motors.