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Message: <blockquote data-quote="DaleH" data-source="post: 505090" data-attributes="member: 15636">The problem is that Sears or Montgomery Ward or other ‘name brand retail stores’ did NOT makes the boats, where it was probably Elgin or some other company.Go to the link below and look up Elgin, but note they are listed under the fiberglass manufacturers, as they made both types of boats. In some of the ‘60s years I saw a similar model numbers.[URL unfurl="true"]http://www.fiberglassics.com/library/index.php?title=Main_Page[/URL]Given what we know, it is earlier than a 1972 hull. For in 1972, The US Coast Guard was given the task of proposing a standardized 12-digit HIN (Hull Identification Number) format as part their new regulations for the safe construction of boats.  The HIN was required to be visible on all boats and personal water craft.  As a result of the new regulations, the Federal Boat Safety Act was passed in 1972. Note the 1st three letters of the HIN was coded to denote the hull manufacturer. The HIN Database is here: <a href="https://www.uscgboating.org/content/manufacturers-identification.php" target="_blank">Manufacturers Identification</a></blockquote>