question on age of boat
 

Earlier, I referenced a 1962 Johnson, being on a boat my family owns. I
don't know the exact year of the boat. Some people think it's a 57
Glasspar Avalon, whilst others think it's a 58. The confusion stems
from the fact it was bought when my father was 12 years old, but the
first motor on it was a 1958 50 horse Johnson.

And some of the registration papers have different years. Is there a
simple way to find out what year the boat is?

Blazer Fan Dan wrote:
Earlier, I referenced a 1962 Johnson, being on a boat my family owns. I
don't know the exact year of the boat. Some people think it's a 57
Glasspar Avalon, whilst others think it's a 58. The confusion stems
from the fact it was bought when my father was 12 years old, but the
first motor on it was a 1958 50 horse Johnson.

And some of the registration papers have different years. Is there a
simple way to find out what year the boat is?

You're probably as close as you're ever going to get, unless there was
a radical syling change between the 57's and 58's. There was no
standardized HIN system back in the 50's.......but you might see if
there is a "57" or "58" somewhere in the serial number. A dash(-)57
would be particularly likely to make it a '57.

You mention "registrations". Has anybody got the actual title to the
boat?
That would establish the year for legal purposes. But not all states
issued titles for boats back in the 50's, and there are still some
states that don't issue titles to this day.

It probably wouldn't have been unusual to put a new 1958 outboard on a
"leftover" 1957 boat. That may be what happened, or the boat could be a
58.

trainfan1 wrote:
Blazer Fan Dan wrote:
Earlier, I referenced a 1962 Johnson, being on a boat my family owns. I
don't know the exact year of the boat. Some people think it's a 57
Glasspar Avalon, whilst others think it's a 58. The confusion stems
from the fact it was bought when my father was 12 years old, but the
first motor on it was a 1958 50 horse Johnson.

And some of the registration papers have different years. Is there a
simple way to find out what year the boat is?


Look he

http://fiberglassics.com/glasspar/brochure.asp

I have, and the only thing that makes me think it's a 58 (via the
brochure) is the windsheild. But, I don't know if that's conclusive.

Rob

Blazer Fan Dan wrote:
Earlier, I referenced a 1962 Johnson, being on a boat my family owns. I
don't know the exact year of the boat. Some people think it's a 57
Glasspar Avalon, whilst others think it's a 58. The confusion stems
from the fact it was bought when my father was 12 years old, but the
first motor on it was a 1958 50 horse Johnson.

And some of the registration papers have different years. Is there a
simple way to find out what year the boat is?


Look he

http://fiberglassics.com/glasspar/brochure.asp

Rob

wrote:

You're probably as close as you're ever going to get, unless there was
a radical syling change between the 57's and 58's.

the only difference that I can see (via the post after this one) is the
windshield difference. However, I thought that some boats you could
pick and choose the windshield yourself.


There was no
standardized HIN system back in the 50's.......but you might see if
there is a "57" or "58" somewhere in the serial number. A dash(-)57
would be particularly likely to make it a '57.

from the registration papers, there's nothing that I can see (other
than the "58" or "57" marked on it. Of course, since it's about 460
miles north-east of me right now, it's a tad hard to go take a look.


You mention "registrations". Has anybody got the actual title to the
boat?

that's another sticky issue. The guy who owned it, died in 84. The
women who would know where the title might be, died in 98 (my
grandparents). Neither my dad and uncle (the former owners, now I own
it) don't really know where it is either, altho they have an idea. And
it's 365 miles to where it *might* be, or 460 to where itmight be.

That would establish the year for legal purposes. But not all states
issued titles for boats back in the 50's, and there are still some
states that don't issue titles to this day.

It probably wouldn't have been unusual to put a new 1958 outboard on a
"leftover" 1957 boat. That may be what happened, or the boat could be a
58.

Yah, Ive always wondered about that (on a side note, Ive always wanted
to put the "proper" engine back on it. The original one hit a rock back
in 62, and was replaced with the newer one). But like I said, the guy
who would know for 100% sure, died 21 years ago. And unless he decides
to contact me in my dreams tonite, I think I'm pretty much out of luck
until I can find the title, or just make an educated guess (based on
the windshield).

Blazer Fan Dan wrote:
trainfan1 wrote:
Blazer Fan Dan wrote:
Earlier, I referenced a 1962 Johnson, being on a boat my family owns. I
don't know the exact year of the boat. Some people think it's a 57
Glasspar Avalon, whilst others think it's a 58. The confusion stems
from the fact it was bought when my father was 12 years old, but the
first motor on it was a 1958 50 horse Johnson.

And some of the registration papers have different years. Is there a
simple way to find out what year the boat is?


Look he

http://fiberglassics.com/glasspar/brochure.asp

I have, and the only thing that makes me think it's a 58 (via the
brochure) is the windsheild. But, I don't know if that's conclusive.

Rob

The windshield is possibly not conclusive. The "new and improved"
windshield could have (who knows?) been introduced during the '57
production run and was then standard on the 58's. Possibly. Boats don't
tend to change as neatly and cleanly at model year intervals as do
automobiles. Since just about anybody who would have had a hand in
building that boat is now retired, with a good portion passed away, it
would be tough to find anybody who could answer authoritatively.

Good news is probably this; There is going to be no difference in the
value if its a 57 or 58- if it's in decent shape it's going to be a
head turner anywhere you take it, and aside from being able to answer
with total confidence each time 2500 people say, "Wow! That's a really
cool old boat! What year is it?" it doesn't make much difference
whether its 48 or 49 model years old.

wrote:

Good news is probably this; There is going to be no difference in the
value if its a 57 or 58- if it's in decent shape it's going to be a
head turner anywhere you take it, and aside from being able to answer
with total confidence each time 2500 people say, "Wow! That's a really
cool old boat! What year is it?" it doesn't make much difference
whether its 48 or 49 model years old.

I'm not too worried about it's value. It'll never be for sale. I have
too much of an emotional attatchment to it, as does my brother and my
dad. It was the boat my dad used as a kid, and helped (in it's own way)
build my families cabin.

They'd tow lumber across the lake with it, haul buckets of sand, rocks,
concrete and other supplies, across the lake in it. They'd ski, fish,
horse around..you name it, they did it. In fact, they actually bolted a
chair to skiis back in the day.

Sure, the old Miss Spendthrift isn't as fast as it used to be (in it's
hey-day, it was the fasted boat on Priest Lake). And sure, the engine's
a bit of a polluter and not near as efficient. And yeah, the new boat
that replaced it is much much more comfortable and reliable (before I
get to tune it up I mean). And sure, it handles rough water
significantly better..but I'll take the old boat!

The replacement boat should be better. Afterall,it isn't a 47+ year old
boat. It's "only" 18 years old!

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:


It's not that hard to do.
Then, depending on the particular registration system, you send a
registered/certified letter to that individual at the indicated
address. If it's returned unopened, or no longer at this address,
then you have a legal claim on which to process a new title for the
boat in your name.

the previous owner was my grandfather and grandmother. Both of which
are dead, and occasionally get mail at my dads house. Currently, the
"owner" (in name) is my uncle, but he doesn't know where the title is.


Almost all state use this system, or similar system for old/found
boats and antique vehicles.

Here in CT, it's a title search that costs $20, but on every
antique/classic American car I've restored over the years, it has
worked like a charm.

Shortwave Sportfishing wrote:

Then all he has to do is apply for a new title - simple.

all I gotta do then. Altho in Idaho (where the boat is "stationed") the
registration forms have a line where you can 'transfer' the title, and
I wonder if that is all you have to do up there.