HIN/Year of manufacture

[rocket88]

Hi Guys,

Newbie lurker here, looking for some info...

I recently bought an AS 222. It is registered as a 1973, originally had a 165 hp Mercruiser I/O (now has a Mercruiser 5.7 L). I need help with the HIN.

There is no visible HIN on the transom. There is an AS ID plate on the starboard side (inside the hull), which shows the serial number as "J-297" The registration shows the following as the serial number "000000060265BT0J-297"

Questions:
- does the full serial number appear to be correct in terms of format/length?
- if so, where should I find it on the hull? (hull is all-original, unpainted and unmolested)
- if not, is J-297 a complete serial number (pre-HIN requirement?)
- if so, can the date of manufacture be determined by anyone on the board here?

This may seem trivial to some, but it is of essential importance to me as I need to get this boat properly registered. My thanks in advance to one and all who can give me answers!

Brgds,

Tom

[Ulysses485]

Is there number that’s listed on the title?

[RickK]

Your boat may be a '72 sold in '73.  HIN were required starting in '72, so maybe this hull didn't get the HIN stamp in the transom.  You may also find a 2nd HIN plate hidden under the rub rail on the port side.
Can you post a pic of the boat? Follow the instructions here http://classicaquasport.com/smf/index.php?topic=12725.0  - don't attach them - you are limited by file size. Uploading them into your "member gallery" is better for viewing.
Spend a few minutes to absorb the instructions. It's really easy. Remember if using a phone to take pics, to hold the phone horizontal with the lens to the left.

[rocket88]

Hey Ulysses,

Tks for your reply... the boat comes from Maine, which is a "no title" state, so I have no "title". The registration shows the number I initially posted; 000000060265BT0J-297, but don't see that number on the hull or any other affixed tags . The hull identification tag shows the serial number as J-297. It is registered as a 1973 model.

Knowing that the use of HIN's was mandated for all boats built after November 1, 1972, I speculate that the boat was built prior to that date but sold in 1973 and (therefore) registered as a 1973.

The issue is that I need to be able to show that it was built prior to November 1 1972 and therefore does not have to meet the requirement for a HIN. Hence my questions in my original post...

Brgds,

Tom

[rocket88]

Hello RickK,

Was hoping that you would chime in... thanks for replying and for the insight. I would not have thought to have to remove the rubrail to find a HIN!

Will make best efforts to post pics. She is a real nice unmolested original boat; original helm, instrument panel, upholstery, teak, bimini, dodger, unpainted hull and sole in original gelcoat and so on. All that appears to have been done is the aforementioned engine swap.

Brgds,

Tom

[rocket88]

...pics uploaded here: https://classicaquasport.com/gallery/showgallery.php?cat=500&ppuser=131847

Brgds,

Tom

[Fishhead]

Boy Tom looks cold there, hope you have those manifolds drained and block if it doesn’t have a closed cooling system. Nice looking boat

[RickK]

Brrr.  I agree that the boat is a good looking one. We don't usually see i/o Ospreys. Seen inboard 222 from the NE though. Plenty of Family Fisherman i/o but not Ospreys.
Did you do a thorough look inside the engine area for a tag.  There is no guarantee that there will be a 2nd one under the rub rail in that era.  Later CCPs had one.

[rocket88]

 ... it was indeed a cold one! If I recall correctly, it was around 4* F the morning I picked it up. Warmed up nicely in the sun that day, got to a balmy 14-15*F!

I will do another very detailed search for a HIN. If there was one, what would the Aquasport identifier be (first three digits, I believe)? (The USCG boat manufacturer database lists Aquasport as "AQA", but this was the 1990's Genmar era, when Aquasport boats were listed as being manufactured in Sarasota.)

[rocket88]

To Fishhead

Tks for the compliments on the boat... the manifolds are in fact off the motor. I do not believe that the motor was ever run after the installation of the Mercruiser 260; hence no water in the block. It appears to be raw-water cooled.

[rocket88]

Found this on another thread:

    > - HIN - the first 3 letters are the manufacturer code - ASP - I think the next letter is for the model - P for 20 foot CCP, and A for 22 foot CCP.  The next letters are hull serial numbers, and the final 3 are for year and month produced.

    > - Only the first 3 letters indicate the manufacturer - all are ASP.  Under Genmar, Aquasport switched to OUA in 1988, AQA in 1990.

So that answers my question as to what the HIN, if there is one, should look like; it would start with "ASP", possibly followed by and "A", right?

[RickK]

Yes, the HIN is explained in detail in some of our threads. What you may be missing is that in the early Aquasport days they installed an ID plate (plastic) in the boat looks like this. This was on a Flatback - pre '71.


Notice the serial number was not very long. How you have your serial number the way it is, is unknowable.

[Capt. Bob]

OK, I'll jump in here.

I don't think you'll find a HIN on that model. The serial # is correct. The "J" may indicate the model but that's a guess. We have seen these plates with a serial # on the early Aquas.

As to the long number on the registration, I'm guessing that is a State of Maine issued # not anything from Hialeah.

I'm also guessing Rick is probably correct in stating it's more than likely a 72 (pre HIN hull) sold/registered in 73.
That would be the approach I would use in trying to title the hull.

Good luck

[Fishhead]

To bad you don’t have a Volvo penta setup on that boat, I have a good heat exchanger you could have but won’t fit merc.

[rocket88]

To RickK,

 > My hull has an almost identical plate to the one in your pic.  Mine is in very good shape and clearly shows J-297.

To Capt. Bob,

> I think we have all come to the same conclusion; its a hull built before November 1 1972 but was sold as a 1973 model-year boat and hence is registered as a 1973.

To Fishhead,

> Tks for the offer. The propulsion plan is to get the Mercruiser working in the short term but to convert to a bracket-mounted 4-stroke OB for the long term. Thinking a Suzuki 175 or 200 would do the trick.