No HIN visible on 1973 20'

[Dolphinfish]

I am looking at purchasing a 1973 20' that has been redone - new deck, fuel tank, wiring, etc. This rebuild is well documented with photos and is well done. The problem is that the person who did all the aforementioned rebuild did not do the transom but merely painted it with the hull. There is no hull ID number visible. He said that when he bought if from the prior owner in Miami it had no number visible at that time (2013). Who knows how many people have refinished that hull over the years. I asked if he had any trouble with the title transfer and registration and he said, "No, I walked in with my Bill of Sale and old title and they issued me a new one in my name." Since I know of know way to otherwise reconstruct or determine the hull ID on this boat, should I be concerned or is this a rather common issue on a 44 year old boat?

[NoBones]

Oh my, FWC will confiscate your boat if you ever get stopped and checked!

OK, just kidding, Hull ID's were not required by law until 1974 !

My 1970 did not have one either...

What I would do is go to an engraving shop and have two made with
the number that is used on the title... One for the starboard corner
and one to put in a hidden location...

BTW: Welcome to CSC

[Dolphinfish]

Many thanks for your prompt and informative response NoBones! I thoroughly enjoyed your humor and will spend the next year looking over my shoulder for the pursuing FWC vessel.

May the numbers be with you!

[SailorChlud]

I did the same thing with my 1972 hull the prior owner had registered it in MA where they issued a new hull iD number, so when I had the transom done I had an engraving shop online make two number plates, and screwed one to the hull and the other installed....

[Dolphinfish]

And a big thank you to you also SailorChlud. I am closing on this boat next week after a sea trial yesterday. The boat is not only beautiful on and off the water, she is extraordinary running - and the way she grips the water in a relatively high speed turn is amazing. Anxious to call her my own. I will definitely have hull ID plates made and installed as suggested. Many thanks to you folks.

[SailorChlud]

I think they came from machineplatesonline.com and were pricey, but high quality. I thought they were cheaper than a ticket or argument with a LEO.

Here is the finished plate installed: