how do you find the year of a boat?

[aserviceman2]

I inherited a boat (Ouchita 12' Jon Boat) which has been sitting for many years. There is no one alive who knows anything about it. I went to DMV to register it, and was told I needed to know the year, even though I have the serial number. Does anyone know of a way I can link the serial number with a year? Other wise I have to take it to a marina (hours away) and have them do an investigation. No clue if I have to pay for that, but don't have the time or the money to do that. Thought I'd ask here first. Thank you in advance.

 

[oldjeep]

If it is new enough then the year is part of the HIN. (If the boat has one)
http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.htm

 

[jbcurt00]

Ouachita serial number might be a HIN if it's actually a post 1972 boat. If it's older then that, you might get lucky and find an Ouchita serial number list somewhere, but I've never seen one.

See if the specs of yours match any of these:
http://boatspecs.iboats.com/Ouachita/bp/20br1331

Post a pix of it, perhaps someone will recognize the year/model

If there is a HIN, it'll start w/ XMR, the MIC for Oauchita

What state are you in?

 

[fhhuber]

If it doesn't fit the 1972 and after HIN code....

Did the state registration office say to go to THAT marina?
If they did:
E-mail the marina with a photo of the HIN and ask what it would cost if they can be of help.
Might get lucky and get the answer for free without taking the trip.
Or they may say the photo is enough (saving the trip) and it costs $XX to get the answer.
Or they may say: "Don't bother we can't help."

That's 3 possible responses that save you the trip. You hope its not the 3rd.

 

[mbhoag]

If nobody knows what year it is, and they cannot tell from the HIN, well call it a 1962... who cares, and what difference would it make to your registration anyway?

 

[aserviceman2]

Thank you, that was very helpful.

 

[aserviceman2]

To answer questions, we are in NJ. This was my 3rd trip to DMV - each time they tell me I need something else, this time it was the year. I don't imagine I'd have to go to that particular marina, it's just the closest. I guess alternative marinas would be down the Jersey shore - we live on border of PA in north central NJ. I will try the suggestions above (after I check if there is a different set of numbers than the serial number). Thank you all again. It was really getting to be a big pain, just to take my Dad's boat out fishing.

 

[GA_Boater]

Welcome aboard.

Does Dad have any old paperwork to date the boat? Might help, you never know.

 

[BISSQUICK]

I inherited a boat (Ouchita 12' Jon Boat) which has been sitting for many years. There is no one alive who knows anything about it. I went to DMV to register it, and was told I needed to know the year, even though I have the serial number. Does anyone know of a way I can link the serial number with a year? Other wise I have to take it to a marina (hours away) and have them do an investigation. No clue if I have to pay for that, but don't have the time or the money to do that. Thought I'd ask here first. Thank you in advance.

What's up buddy? Been about 7 years now, Did you ever figure out a way to find out the year of your jon boat, I just got into the same exact situation. I can just make out the serial number and I want to get it registered but I'm trying to find the year And I live in New Jersey and I cannot see anything with a hull ID number so I am guessing she is pretty old.. I would just really like to get her out on the river I just need to deal with the government and their paperwork