Help Identify Boat Manfacturer - old 14ft V-Hull Aluminum

[Bobby Day]

Recently purchased an old, possibly 1966, V-Hull 14 ft Alum boat that predates hull number requirements. State will issue a HIN so it can be registered but won't unless I can ID the manufacturerer. I can't find a hint of a mfg. logo. Boat has been previously registered but state has gotten stricter. Previous registration listed "make "as aluminum and had a bogus HIN. They now require a photo of the HIN.. I'm hoping that someone can recognize the brand from the photos here.

 

[Scott Danforth]

there is no HIN on anything older than 1972, only a serial number.

what does the registration and BOS from the prior owner say it is. because that is the paper trail the state would be looking for.

however to find out what you have, I suggest you look at the fiberglassics archive.

 

[Bobby Day]

I've been through the photo archives for Jon boats and Fishing boats but didn't find a match. I think the transom shape seems unusual and possibly unique.

 

[Scott Danforth]

nothing unusual or unique. its a 60-70 year old boat (yes, start back in 1950)

many boats back then looked exactly like that.

 

[Bobby Day]

Seems like it is probably a Sears. I towed it to the two local marine stores today and asked the resident gray beards. One of them was sure it was a Sears and I've found a picture on the internet, while not identical, had some of the same construction characteristics. Sears seems to be a recognized brand so Ill find out ttomorrow if that will solve my problem although I'm sure someone else manufactured their boats. Does anyone know who manufactured Sears aluminum boats in the 1960s?

 

[Bobby Day]

Sears Brand Boat Manufacturer

Does anyone know what company manufactured Sears aluminum boats in the 1960s?

 

[GA_Boater]

Use Sears for your registration. The state just needs a name for the brand.

What is the bogus HIN, what are the 1st 3 letters?

 

[Scott Danforth]

Use Sears for your registration. The state just needs a name for the brand.

What is the bogus HIN, what are the 1st 3 letters?

GA, its too old to have a HIN

 

[jbcurt00]

GA, its too old to have a HIN

Pretty sure GA was asking about the bogus HIN the OP mentioned orginally.

If the stae wants a pix, it may be so it can be 'run' thru the system. Not aure how best to handle it, but good luck.

What state are you in and what state is prior registration w bogus HIN?

Might be able to register the boat in your name in another state and that might make it easier to register in your name.

It can be difficult at times, nearly every state is different...

 

[Faztbullet]

Late 50's-early 60's MirroCraft or AlumCraft

 

[GA_Boater]

GA, its too old to have a HIN

Was asking about the "bogus" HIN the OP mentioned in the opening post. Since the boat is obviously older than 1972 and has a HIN, bogus or not, I'm trying to find out if the HIN is state issued.

Some states require a HIN for registration and if provenance can be proved without a manufacturer's HIN, the state will issue a HIN. The Starcraft from 1966 in my sig has a Georgia issued HIN because I had the proof. A state HIN gives the OP a place to start.

 

[Scott Danforth]

Good point. the last pre-72 boat I registered with only a BOS, etc was in WI back in 2011, and all they did was use the serial number and not issue a state-issued HIN

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Late 50's-early 60's MirroCraft or AlumCraft

Not an alumacraft.

 

[Bobby Day]

The bogus HIN is not on the boat, only on paper and is 10 digits, no letters. I find several pictures of different 1952 Duracraft Sportsman that are the same hull. it is either a Duracraft or a Sears built by Duracraft.

 

[Scott Danforth]

is there a capacity tag in the boat on the inside of the transom?

could be the serial number, which would not be a HIN. serial numbers are all digits

 

[sphelps]

Bobby , when you figure out let me know .. I think were in the same boat so to speak ..lol !
Duracraft was gunna be my guess .. Yours looks older model than mine but willing to bet they are from the same manufacture ...

 

[GA_Boater]

A good place to look for a serial number is on a kneebrace if she has any.

 

[DeepCMark58A]

Late 50's-early 60's MirroCraft or AlumCraft

Alumacraft always had the cast aluminum handles in the back corners.

 

[Bobby Day]

I am confident that it was either built by Duracraft or built to a Duracraft design. Sears also sold thhis hull in 1967 and probably other years. If Sears built it themselves, they used the Duratec design. The boat probably came out of the factory as a run about. Rivet holes, cable guides and pulleys indicate that it once had a fore deck and a steering wheel, like the Duracraft Sportsman. The state is willing to issue a HIN on the basis of the identification as a Sears boat. They mailed me the application forms today. Google Images has been quite useful in tracking it down.

I don't find any numbers on the knee brace either. Any existing numbers are totally hidden by paint or perhaps by replacement plywood on the inside of the transit or were maybe attached to the no longer present fore deck.

 

[GA_Boater]

With the state agreeing to use Sears for registration, this case is closed. :thumb:

Hope they don't change their mind!