ID My Aquasport

[Capt. Bob]

After thinking it through, it makes sense that the hull would be labeled during manufacture and the title reflect a different date if sold much later (I guess).

I've edited my earlier post so not to confuse Dan. His is an interesting condition I hope to explore more but probably not that uncommon.

[daniel123]

Thanks for taking time to help with this, guys. It's great experiencing the site's reference resources.

I gave the rig (with the 'new' rebuilt 1993 115 hp Johnson and 'new' trailer) a road/sea trial yesterday and it went well. I weighed the tongue and got 243 lbs then drove the rig to the CAT Scales and got 2780 lbs. Is about ten percent an acceptable ratio for efficient towing? It certainly seems to pull just fine; no fishtailing, etc.

I love the Fishmaster T-top we installed last summer, but worry that it might elevate the rig's center of balance a bit on the high side for a 170 and make it tippy. The boat heels when I walk around the console and I wonder if it's excessive due to the top. If so, I worry it might get squirrely in the troughs when we take it to Florida and out onto the Gulf on vacation next Spring....Any thoughts on that?

Dan

[slvrlng]

Hey Dan , why don't you fold that top down and see if that makes any difference in the tipsiness.

Oh and just where are you located? Some of us have been talking about having a gathering somewhere around the panhandle in the spring. I know of at least two other 170s around Navarre, one of which has the factory transom livewells.

[daniel123]

Good idea, Lewis! And I'm in Columbus Ohio...and I'll be bet you aren't talking about Navarre, Ohio... BUT I'll be on North Captiva Island/Pine Island Sound the first week of April with the wife and 11-year-old on Spring Break for our first real adventure on the 'sport.

[Capt. Bob]

Here's a few more of Dan's 170

[daniel123]

Thanks for sharing those, Bob! Does that 243-pound tongue weight fall within recommended towing guidelines for a 2780 pound boat/motor/trailer rig?

Dan

[slvrlng]

Yes you are close on the tongue weight.

My understanding on the newer HIN numbers is the last 2 digits are the year of construction. The third from the last digit is the year model of the boat.
 
For example Rickk's pic would mean that his hull was built in 92 and is a 92 model hull.
If the HIN said 697 as the last digits, it would have been built in 97 but is actually a 96 year model (a "holdover").

[RickK]

There is a wealth of info in the Resources forum.
http://www.uscgboating.org/regulations/boatbuilder_s_handbook/part_1_c.aspx

http://www.boatsafe.com/nauticalknowhow/hin.html

[bigdan27]

Guys,

I have what is titled as a 1974 170, but going over the old ads and reading some info here, such as the guy who is rebuilding what he has learned is a 1974, the features don't match what I have on my boat. Mine has:

-an above floor fuel tank that is filled through the top of the console.
-a forward raised deck with a single "well" that opens from the front and top.
-a plastic ID badge on the inside of the transom that reads serial #C 600, Max HP of 85 and max load of 950 lbs.
-the title has the boat ID as MCZ052410987; is that a hull ID#? I can't find a hull ID# plate or engraving, but may not be looking in the right places.

Can you help me ID my Aquasport? In the meanwhile, I'll try to create a Photobucket account and post photos.

Thanks!

Dan

I have the same features on my 170 and I was told my boat was also a 1974 it is also titled as a 1974; however when I removed the console to do some modifications I found the spec plate on the fuel tank which stated it was manufactured in 1971 so that caused me to question the actual age of my 170.

[wingtime]

Guys,

I have what is titled as a 1974 170, but going over the old ads and reading some info here, such as the guy who is rebuilding what he has learned is a 1974, the features don't match what I have on my boat. Mine has:

-an above floor fuel tank that is filled through the top of the console.
-a forward raised deck with a single "well" that opens from the front and top.
-a plastic ID badge on the inside of the transom that reads serial #C 600, Max HP of 85 and max load of 950 lbs.
-the title has the boat ID as MCZ052410987; is that a hull ID#? I can't find a hull ID# plate or engraving, but may not be looking in the right places.

Can you help me ID my Aquasport? In the meanwhile, I'll try to create a Photobucket account and post photos.

Thanks!

Dan

I have the same features on my 170 and I was told my boat was also a 1974 it is also titled as a 1974; however when I removed the console to do some modifications I found the spec plate on the fuel tank which stated it was manufactured in 1971 so that caused me to question the actual age of my 170.

The fuel tank could have been from a large batch of them built in 1971 so it would no be an indicator of the actual hull age.

[Blue Agave]

I have the same features on my 170 and I was told my boat was also a 1974 it is also titled as a 1974; however when I removed the console to do some modifications I found the spec plate on the fuel tank which stated it was manufactured in 1971 so that caused me to question the actual age of my 170.

That's the tank manufacture date

[Capt. Bob]

I have the same features on my 170 and I was told my boat was also a 1974 it is also titled as a 1974; however when I removed the console to do some modifications I found the spec plate on the fuel tank which stated it was manufactured in 1971 so that caused me to question the actual age of my 170.

That's the tank manufacture date

Agreed.
This is very hard to see and not the best example but using up old stock is very common in all forms of manufacturing. I see it in post war toy trains (Lionel) all the time. :|


Hull is 91 manufacture year. Tank is 90 manufacture year.

[bigdan27]

I understand that is the fuel tank manufacture date it seems like 3 years is a rather large gap between fuel tank manufacture and hull manufacture I can understand 1 year, but 3 is a bit odd

[Capt. Bob]

I understand that is the fuel tank manufacture date it seems like 3 years is a rather large gap between fuel tank manufacture and hull manufacture I can understand 1 year, but 3 is a bit odd

All right then. Post your HIN# and let's see how that compares.  

[bigdan27]

I have a plastic placard stating Aquasport Custom 170 Max 950lbs 85 H.P. Serial No. C532 then right below it there is a printed label with Commonwealth of Massachusetts Assigned Hull Number MSZ MT 363 G606.