Help with pre-1972 Hull ID

[mathias]

Hello all, I recently purchased a 14ft v-hull boat with a Johnson FD-11, and I am having trouble finding information on the boat. The boat is a 14ft deep v-bottom, aluminum, riveted, 3 bench seats, little metal triangle trays in both rear corners, there is also a small 2″ pulley just above each of the trays, the front 2ft or so is enclosed with a 2’x2′ access door that uses an old Rockford key to open. The hull id / serial number that’s on the transom is: B31 3 56 1C6. I’ve searched everywhere, including the USCG manufacturers list (B31 is not listed), and can only assume its a pre 1972. From what I’ve read, there is not real consistency on hull id’s this old, so I am hoping someone here may have some info!

[dave-bernard]

Got pics????

[mathias]

Here are some I took the day I got it home (different engine), but I can get more tonight once I get home.

• This reply was modified 5 years, 4 months ago by Mumbles.

[Samuel Phelps]

Does the title give any info ?

[mathias]

No title on this one, Tennessee doesn’t require a title for boats, motors, or even trailers for that matter, just a Bill of Sale and a HIN is needed to register the boat and get your stickers. My next plan is to speak with my local county clerk to see what info he may be able to find. The guy I bought it from had gotten it on trade, so he never went through the registration process personally. Hopefully the last registration was done in TN. From what I’ve read, the pre 1972 boats CAN be registered using the stamped number, but sometimes they aren’t and are just given a number, or registered as “no HIN”.

I would be curious to know the purpose of the pulley’s in the rear, the only thing I could think of would be for a Bimini top or some sort of steering controls that were rigged up for a non-tiller handle motor in the past.

[dave-bernard]

steering pulley.

[outbdnut2]

With the steering cable pulleys, I suspect either the front deck was modified at some time, maybe shortened and the steering wheel removed, or there could have been a deck with a steering wheel at the middle or rear seat – maybe a double-decked boat. Look along the sides for what may have been mounting holes in the past for decks and for another set of pulleys up farther where the steering wheel would have been. These holes are likely now filled in with screws and nuts, or pop-rivets.

Some of the detail looks like Lund boat, but other details do not. http://www.fiberglassics.com has an aluminum boat section by manufacturer in their “library” . If you want to take the time, to search there, you may stumble on an old brochure with a photo that matches or comes close. A lot of companies have come and gone over the years. You are right that the hull number (or some manufacturers called it a serial number) has to be pre-1972. I’d compare photos closely for the same rear corners and the seat and floor rib details.
Dave

[mathias]

Thank you all for the advice. I reached out to Alumacraft and after a week of measurements, pictures, and review by a man with the company for 45 years, it was determined that it was not in fact an Alumacraft boat. I did some more searching, but was having i luck. HOWEVER, while looking for some videos to help me diagnose an engine issue, I found one that had a very similar boat! 10 minutes later, I now know that I have a Lone Star King Commander. I’ve read that the leading numerical digit is the last number of the year, but a leading 0 means that it was a 60’s model and the second digit would be the year indicator, example B06 means 1966, in my case, the B3 indicates a 1953.

Thanks again, and maybe this will help someone else in the future!

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