HOW TO DETERMINE AGE OF OLDER ALUMINUM V-BOTTOM 10 FOOT SMOKER CRAFT AND HARBERCRAFT CLASSIC

[gdug]

I'M CONSIDERING THE PURCHASE OF A COUPLE OF OLDER 10 FT. ALUMINUM BOATS, ONE SMOKER CRAFT AND ONE HARBERCRAFT 'CLASSIC".
WILL THE SERIAL NUMBERS GIVE A CLUE AS TO THEIR AGE ?
WHILE I'M AT IT, I'LL ASK FOR COMMENTS ON THE RELATIVE QUALITY OF THE BUILD OF THESE TWO BRANDS.
SINCE I'M CONSIDERING THESE BOATS AT A DISTANCE, IT WOULD BE NICE TO HAVE A SOURCE FOR THE SPECIFICATIONS ON OLDER ALUMINUM BOATS.
I'M LEANING TOWARD THE HARBERCRAFT AS IT SEEMS MORE SUBSTANTIAL BUT ALSO PERHAPS HEAVIER AND I WILL HAVE TO BE ABLE TO LOAD IT ONTO THE TOP CARRIER ALONE.... ALAS, NOT SO EASY THESE DAYS.
DOUG

 

[airshot]

Condition is everything, no matter what name is on it or how old it is!! Unfortunately you wont know until you see them in person. Depending on when they were made, the hull ID number should tell the year built, unless they were built before hull numbers were required!! My days of roof loading are long past unless it is a light weight kayak.

 

[gdug]

Condition is everything, no matter what name is on it or how old it is!! Unfortunately you wont know until you see them in person. Depending on when they were made, the hull ID number should tell the year built, unless they were built before hull numbers were required!! My days of roof loading are long past unless it is a light weight kayak.

Thanks for that information.

 

[Weldorthemagnificent]

I've had a couple of Harbercraft boats. A 14 and I currently have a 12' which is a solid deep and wide 12 and rated for 15hp. Far cry from a 12' Sea King I had which was rated for 7.5hp and was sketchy in any chop. Harber made good boats. A 10' is an awfully small boat. Not sure what your usage will be but I'll bet you're going to be wanting more.

 

[gdug]

I've had a couple of Harbercraft boats. A 14 and I currently have a 12' which is a solid deep and wide 12 and rated for 15hp. Far cry from a 12' Sea King I had which was rated for 7.5hp and was sketchy in any chop. Harber made good boats. A 10' is an awfully small boat. Not sure what your usage will be but I'll bet you're going to be wanting more.

Thanks for that info folks....
I would be using the 10 footer mostly in lakes but also near inshore in North Puget Sound. We lived 26 years in the San Juan Islands and I fished all around out there using a SeaNymph 12R with a 15 Evinrude. I never got in trouble, on the other hand when you launch on the west side of San Juan Island with a rig like that you better know exactly where you will drift if your motor quits, and don't forget the oars. So you pay attention to your equipment, the weather and tides and then enjoy your day. Otherwise you might end up out at Neah Bay. I can't recommend the accommodations there.
So, now that I no longer want to deal with a boat trailer, I'll get along with a 10 footer that I can load on top and stick a bit closer to shore.