[Mark]

Actually there can be more than one reason that a boat does not have a hull ID # other than being a homemade boat (the final two letters on the registration numbers indicate homemade or not).

In some cases when the same hull number was duplicated with one or more other vessels, the state of Florida would issue a silver metallic sticker to put in that place that started with FLZN instead or SECF.

Also, I'm told that prior to 1970, the hull ID # that we have become quite used to now did not exist on a great many production boats.

I have a 1971 20' CC that has no hull ID #. I also have letter from the Florida Department of Natural Resources explaining the above ( a 1992 letter) just in case any new-on-the-job Coast Guard type finds the situation questionable. To alleviate any additional problems, I was issued a sticker by the same people to put in that spot and an updated title. It's the original 1971 transom, and it had no number.

When discussing this with several boatyards that have been around awhile, they were completely familiar with pre-1970 boats that had no numbers on the starboard side of the transom.

I spoke with Mike at Wildfire Marine in Stuart about his 20'CC (a 1970) and he claimed that it never had a number to start with.

As far as determining the age of the boat? - have a peak at the title and registration I guess.