How to Determine the Year, Make & Model of a Boat

With scarce exceptions, boats often look alike.

There's no way to confuse a 1954 Chris Craft Runabout's lines with any other boat---unless the other boat is a replica. A 1965 Chris Craft Runabout, though, looks like just about every other small boat, except for a few details. Today, with a plethora of boat manufacturers, many boats look alike and the look of popular, pricey boats is emulated by makers of less expensive watercraft. Even if a replica is homemade, though, there are key ways to tell a boat's origin, make and model.

Instructions

1. Do some research on the state registration for the boat. Boats that carry a registration decal on either side of the bow---the front of the boat---have a record including information on the state that issued the decal, including information on the manufacturer, the model of the boat, and the year the boat was built, even if the vessel is a "home-built" boat.

2. Look at the National Marine Manufacturers Association (NMMA) placard on the transom (the back wall) of the boat. The NMMA placard gives information on the make, year of build and model of the boat, along with passenger capacity and maximum engine size information.

3. Contact the National Vessel Documentation Center. This organization has records of all federally registered watercraft. To obtain the information on a vessel, you will need either the official number (issued by the Coast Guard) or the Hull Identification Number.

References

• Discover Boating: NMMA Certificaton
• U.S. Coast Guard National Vessel Documentation Center: Certified Copy of Certificate of Documentation