A discussion got started on the waterski thread about boat identifiction. This is how the federal government identifies a boat: http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm The whole serial number is called a HIN (hull identification number). The first three letters are called MIC (manufacturers ID code) My 1977 18 has an MIC of CMA which is Crosby marine: http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=CMA The 20 foot Hydrodynes I've seen carry a MIC of THI which is Hydrodyne: http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=THI There may be some Hydrodynes out there that carry an MIC of TRI whcih is Three Rivers. I have not seen one: http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=TRI There are many boats that carry an MIC of FPD, This is Fiberglass Products which is Tom Miller and they are not Hydrodynes (I wish they were), but in some cases they are better boats. If you have an 18 with the redesigned deck that carries the MIC of FPD you have a very rare (I think three were built) and very good boat. I drove one in 1997 and it was very nice. http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=FPD If you have a 20 with an MIC of FPD built in 2006 or later, it will say "the Dyne" on it. He has not decided what to call the 18. Tom is leaning towards "baby Dyne", my suggestion was "Dyne 18". I saw a 20 ft bow rider at the nationals that carried an MIC of OQV which is John's Custom Upholstery. I am not familiar with this company: http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=OQV If anyone has a boat with an MIC not listed please speak up. jim
Hey Jim, I don't own a dyne, but my 1963 Elgin does have a Hull number as many of the early Elgin/Sears boats do. I have been to this site before and saw that only from 1972 they became required. I have read many a post on this subject through the years about people not having a hull number as they weren't reqiured in earlier years. I suspect this site only started recording them on the links you provided from 1972 on since that is when they became reqiured. The site doesn't list mine, nor that of others I have searched. Our Arkansas Traveler (later just Traveler) built Elgin/Sears boats give our serial numbers as the HIN numbers on our pink slips. I have guessed at what they mean like mine begins with CT which means it was built in the California factory, CT - California AT - Little Rock, AK NT - New York T - Canada WD - Wisconsin MH - not sure, but is only used on the 1961 models I have listed to date My Hull # of CT35R1173 means to me that it was built in CA, 5 means 15', R - runabout and figure the 1173 was it was the 1,173 one manufactured in that factory of that model. All a guessing game for me, but thought I would through it out there for you in case you had any other information......many of the Elgin/Sears owners I have contact with would like to know as well.
Denise, Thanks for the posts, we need to get this site moving. I owned my 1955 Thompson for 20 years before I figured out the ID number. For all those years I thought is was a '48 because the niumber ended in 48. The Thompson club helped me to identify it. I wrote an article about the boat for their magazine. I can't help you with yours, sorry. jim
Hey it was worth a try Jim. I know they got the numbers down, for the most part, on Glasspars on the Classics Glasspars site. Like I said, mostly a guessing game for the Elgin/Sears. The model numbers on most are easy for them, with the exception of the 1950's which are different. The 1960's are easy......63150 as in 1963 15' Fun playing the code game though. I was contacted by a museum asking for all the info I have on Arkansas Traveler boats and have been able to share a lot with him so far. Now in return he is going to send me some of the companies public documents and who knows maybe they will shed some light on the subject.
I have a 1904 Redwing here that has no numbers on the hull or engine: http://www.acbs.org/rudder/oldrudder/Rudder/dodge.htm#redwing They only built the hulls to sell engines and the engine is a experimental prototype. They were not assigned numbers. It took some research to figure that one out. jim
If the boat was marketed by Pete (I think it was) it could be called a Dyna Ski or whatever he chose to call it, but not Hydrodyne (legally). If it was not, it would be up to the manufacturer to name it. http://www.uscgboating.org/recalls/mic_detail.aspx?id=RUA jim
