Is my title wrong???

[Hockeydad4-22]

My title says she is a 1968 18' Starcraft But when I look at the stickies at the top of the page I see a bunch of stuff that leads me to think maybe the title is wrong. So I took some pics for you, let me know what you think Unfortunately about 1/2 of VIN plate is missing

Drive serial #200513

The first two digits on the serial number appear to be 66, after that they are gone

 

[kjsAZ]

Doesn't your title also show the HIN? What are the last 2 digits there??

 

[shrew]

The HIN wasn't mandatory until November 1972. There is a very good possibility that either there is no HIN, or it doesn't correspond to the numbering convention of the post 1972 or the later changes to the HIN made in 1984.

As for the Title of the vessel, most of the pics provided are of the Mercruiser components (Shifter, engine, guages) etc. The Engine, Remote Shift & Throttle Controls, and guages are all Mercruiser. The drive coudl be mercruiser, however I'm not familliar with the one shown. These would have nothing to do with the manufacturer of the boat.

Boats are not like cars where the vehicle manufacturer and engine manufacturer are the same. There are only a handful of marine engine & Drive manufacturers (Mercruiser, Volve, Crusader, etc.) Brunswick happens to own both Mercury/Mercruiser AND a number of boat brands (Bayliner, Searay, Lund, Boston Whaler), However, folks like Volvo and Crusader dont' make boats and most boat manufacturers don't make engines and outdrives.

What specifically makes you think the Title is incorrect?

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

 

[jbcurt00]

There are all kinds of reasons the title could be wrong. Do you trust that the seller owned the boat & had right to sell it? If so, don't be hung up on dating it accurately. I do understand wanting to KNOW, that's sort of normal.

Like kjs asked, what makes you think it's not a 1968 Starchief?

Although I agree, based on your capacity plate:

It looks like it isn't a 1968 Starchief, else it'd be labeled a Starchief-V on the capacity plate:

You can also check the details of length, beam & transom width against the brochures to try & narrow down the year.

 

[Hockeydad4-22]

Yes, I trust the previous owner. My uncle has owned this boat for the last 20 years. He has not had it on the water for the last 9 years and asked if I thought my boys and I could use it. He is the second owner. The original owner was a family friend who passed away. The boat sat for years under a cottonwood tree until my uncle inquired his widow about it. She sold it to him for $600 that he considered more of a donation to help her through the next few months considering the boat was filled to the gunwales with cottonwood leaves and other "stuff" My uncle cleaned her up, got her runing, did a number repairs and put her on the lake. So yes, I am very certain of her lineage. As far as why I want to know what I have; well I like to work on my own stuff, I have never owned a boat befor, and have little experience with them but I have owned and restored (and resto-modded) a number of classic cars and pick ups. Finding parts will be much easier if I know what the parts are for. Besides, I really want to know... Regardless, I doubt I would ever bother to change the paperwork. I thought I had posted this in the mercruiser I/O forum. I should probably post it there as well. Thanks guys, for the help, that old brochure is really cool

 

[Hockeydad4-22]

Yes, I trust the previous owner. My uncle has owned this boat for the last 20 years. He has not had it on the water for the last 9 years and asked if I thought my boys and I could use it. He is the second owner. The original owner was a family friend who passed away. The boat sat for years under a cottonwood tree until my uncle inquired his widow about it. She sold it to him for $600 that he considered more of a donation to help her through the next few months considering the boat was filled to the gunwales with cottonwood leaves and other "stuff" My uncle cleaned her up, got her runing, did a number repairs and put her on the lake. So yes, I am very certain of her lineage. As far as why I want to know what I have; well I like to work on my own stuff, I have never owned a boat befor, and have little experience with them but I have owned and restored (and resto-modded) a number of classic cars and pick ups. Finding parts will be much easier if I know what the parts are for. Besides, I really want to know... Regardless, I doubt I would ever bother to change the paperwork. I thought I had posted this in the mercruiser I/O forum. I should probably post it there as well. Thanks guys, for the help, that old brochure is really cool

 

[Krichbourg]

Check out the Owners Groups by Manufacturer through this site. The Starcraft group is very active and helpful. Most of the brochures are posted in a sticky and lots of detailed restorations. Good luck with your project, and welcome to the Tinsanity!

 

[Hockeydad4-22]

Thank you, yes, for the first time I am looking at the site on a desk top computer instead of my I-Pad. Much more helpful. I am sure I will be wasting some of my work day here now.