Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

[rebars1]

I had posted this in the "Whaler" forum with no response, so I am submitting it here also.

I have had this boat for about two years now. It is 18' long and has "Boston Whaler" logos on the sides. The CA registration lists it as a 1976 Boston Whaler. It has a foam filled double hull, however, the shape of the front flares and the finish is different than other Whalers I have seen. The transom has "18UB7632" cast into the stern face. It has a heavy steel or aluminum rim/rub rail all around the top edge of the hull. Any ideas? Boston Barge?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

I don't think its a Whaler. It looks like someone's attempt to copy the old Whaler Montauk. Also, if I remember correctly, the first three characters of a Whaler HIN should be "BWW."



???

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

I do not think it a Whaler, too. Unless it was an experimental model.

In 1975 I had a small Sunflower sail boat that was of similar construction and finish texture. Maybe the same company made this.

Here is the end view of the flare:

 

[slasmith1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

no manufacturer data comes up with that hin maybe you mis read it if you check again and re post the first three digits of the hin I will re check it for you

 

[JB]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Not a real Whaler in my opinion. Too many features BW never used.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Thanks for checking, slasmith and JB. It is the correct hull number...you can just make it out in one of the pictures. I could not get any MFR's info from it online, either.

I thought it might have been a BW "work boat", or something.

The next question, then, is if/when I sell it, do I advertise it as a BW (as it is on the reg papers) or a "BW clone"? Apparently, at some point in its history it was labelled and registered as a BW.

 

[ezmobee]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

The next question, then, is if/when I sell it, do I advertise it as a BW (as it is on the reg papers) or a "BW clone"?

BW aficionados will probably come out of the woodwork to yell at you if you did

 

[markernineteen]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Whaler or not that's still a very interesting boat . I've seen similar hull markings on boats used by the navy , lifeboats , workboats etc. By the way I've owned Whalers for twenty-five years and I think you can call your boat whatever you want !

 

[Philster]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Could 18U at the beginning of the HID be something like IBU? Are you getting the first part right?

For example, if it is something like IBU, that would be Islander Boat Works. I am not saying that this is it, but I can see how it is possible to get something like an I and a B confused for 18 on a stamped I.D.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

The letters are about 3" high, so they are easy to read.

Markernineteen might be onto something: I bought the boat from a navy man at a base in San Diego. 18UB 7632= 18' Utility Boat, 1976, #32?

 

[Philster]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Naval Utility Boat. Many are of the Boston Whaler Type.

Newer ones can be seen pictured here:

http://www.hazegray.org/worldnav/usa/guard.htm

Search page for "Boston Whaler".

Similarities in the stern/transom, maybe because they tend to use dual engines in the Coast Guard and Navy apps.

 

[Home Cookin']

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

looks like it was outfittd for industrial use; I see that a lot around our harbor.
Whoever painted it white probably added the decal (Navy would be gray).
The hull ID could be an added serial number by the original owner, whether navy or civilian, and not a manufacturer's hull number.

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Thanks for the info guys. It is a pretty solid feeling boat (read industrial work boat), especially with the thick aluminum angle bolted around the rim. It is definitely not a delicate creature. If anyone sees one like it please post a picture for me.

The old 60hp Johnson used to over heat easily until I did the reroute of the tell-tale nipple to the top of the block. (advised from this site).

Any name suggestions?

 

[jay_merrill]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

I would advertise it as a trihull and not worry about the registration. If anyone asks, I would just let them know that the registration info is as when you bought it.

While I still don't think it was manufactured by BW, the ex-military theory makes some sense.



???

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

Good ideas and advice concerning my mystery boat. Thanks for the input.

 

[tx1961whaler]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

BW does make boats under gov't contract
Here's some contact info:
Military:
http://www.brunswickcgp.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=18&Itemid=32
http://www.brunswickcgp.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=27&Itemid=104

Commercial:
100 Whaler Way
Edgewater, Florida 32141
USA
Phone: 1-877-294-5645 (Customer Service)
Fax: 386-423-8589

 

[rebars1]

Re: Boston Whaler(?) ID help please

I can buy the "military utility boat" idea. But I kinda hafta agree with jay merill (not by BW) that although there are similarities, it just does not have the crispness or lines as a BW.

Unless it is a BW experimental protoype.......

In either case, it does work well as an sturdy, unsinkable chunk of foam for my teenaged son to use.