Hello all, new to the forum but excited to solve a mystery. Around 2017 I bought a 16’ sail boat from a gentleman who knew very little about the boat. I’ve done a lot of research to try to identify its make & model but haven’t had any conclusive answers. While getting sails made a gentleman suggested the boat was a Knock About (with a cuddly cabin added) made in Virginia. Closest boat I seem to be able to find to it is a Newport 16 but there are some pretty large differences that make me think it’s not a Newport?
Help identifying older sail boat
- Thread starter splorinplaces
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- newport 16
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,322
jssailem
SBO Weather and Forecasting Forum Jim & John
- Oct 22, 2014
- 23,322
That does look like a West Wight Potter.
Is there a hull identification number on the outside upper right area of he transom?
.
This article talks about the HIN being on a metal or plastic plate but most I have seen are molded or etched right into the gel coat.
HIN decoder says:
Marauder Marine Boatworks (dba) (In Business)
EO0O1 = Boat Serial Number
05 = Month of Manufacture May
77 = Production Year 1977
The US Coast guard provides this comment about this watercraft manufacturer: 'mrm' Was Moorman Mfg Inc, Hayes, Va; Oob 5/80. 10/02 Rni - Oob In 1998 Per Poc. 061212 Plc - Morrison Manufacturing Of Thibodaux La From 9/21/89 To 11/1/98. Marauder Marine Boat Works Llc Purchased Asset Of Marauder Marine Inc (mxm) Operating In The Same Location Of 3650 Drew Ln, New Port Richey Fl From Mr Gerald Scott. 121916 - Damifino Inc Owned By David Graham Purchased Assets Of Marauder Marin Boatworks Llc And Continues To Operate In The Same Address With The Same Mic Of Mrm Under Dba Marauder Marine Boatworks. Plc..
Marauder Marine Boatworks (dba) (In Business)
EO0O1 = Boat Serial Number
05 = Month of Manufacture May
77 = Production Year 1977
| UsedHIN | MRMEO0O10577 |
| IsValid | Yes |
| IsValidMIC | Yes |
| HINType | StraightYear |
| SerialNo | EO0O1 |
| Year | 1977 |
| IsStateIssued | No |
| Company | Marauder Marine Boatworks (dba) |
| CompanyStatus | In Business |
| CompanyAddress | New Port Richey Fl 3650 Drew Ln |
| Website | Www.maraudermarine.com |
I contacted David who owns Marauder Marine Boatworks he said it is for sure NOT one of their boats.
Then perhaps someone etched the wrong HIN on the transom. I'm out of ideas.
Yes I’m not sure they didn’t do that just to be able to get a registration. I’m at such a loss as to what it is since it’s not quite like a west wright potter nor anything else I see in that category. I have been trying to add insurence & they require a model which is a part of why I’m trying to finally get to the bottom of what the boat is. The registration says is an “Encore” but I’m unsure if this is just something a previous owner decided to put on the registration.
If this was just for registration, I would just measure the length of the boat (let's say 16) and use any name you want. Encore is as good as any. Register it as an Encore 16. The DOL/DMV truly doesn't care. If the current registration says the manufacturer is "Encore" then that is a defensible choice for your registration. Probably, it is the same for insurance. If you're concerned, just explain to your insurer.
I tend to think the HIN could be wrong because "MRM" is definitely Marauder's MIC. But, it is also possible that it is technically correct and the person you talked to just didn't know about this boat. Here's my almost completely speculative hypothesis, but the answer I like the most:
In/around 1979, Marauder bought/borrowed/leased a mold (something commonly done) and thought they'd try their hand at sailboats. They produced possibly just one boat (that boat is #1) as an experiment. They possibly called it the "Encore" (which is why the serial number is E0001). David, at Marauder, just didn't know about this short-lived experiment in the late 70s. The fact that the HIN is just sort of scratched on also jives with this hypothesis.
I tend to think the HIN could be wrong because "MRM" is definitely Marauder's MIC. But, it is also possible that it is technically correct and the person you talked to just didn't know about this boat. Here's my almost completely speculative hypothesis, but the answer I like the most:
In/around 1979, Marauder bought/borrowed/leased a mold (something commonly done) and thought they'd try their hand at sailboats. They produced possibly just one boat (that boat is #1) as an experiment. They possibly called it the "Encore" (which is why the serial number is E0001). David, at Marauder, just didn't know about this short-lived experiment in the late 70s. The fact that the HIN is just sort of scratched on also jives with this hypothesis.
Yes for sure I can give the insurence a model either way.
As for Marauder the current owner says they didn’t begin production until 1996 at least the one I contacted based in FL. I do like the idea that it was likely a one off.
Ah, yeah I see the note from the USGG that MRM used to be Moorman Manufacturing, Inc. in Virginia. It looks like Roger Moorman might have owned Mobjack Manufacturing at around that same time. Take a look at the Mobjack 17 - International Mobjack Association. The boat you have almost looks like that boat with a pocket cruiser cabin added, perhaps as a one-off experiment. In fact, I kind of like the idea that they had a successful dinghy design and decided to add a cabin ... as an encore.
The hull shape doesn't appear to be a perfect match, though. But, it hard to tell.
That would make sense. It would also line up with what Philip Doggett mentioned in an email when I was looking for sails. “The hual looked very familiar, and what threw me off was the cutty cabin. I had never seen one with a cabin. The boat was made close to our shop in Hayes (Gloucester) Virginia. It is called a Knock About. The boat manufacturer has been out of business for some years now. Rod Hayes who started our sail loft made all the sails for them. It so happens we have one at our shop (which Rod owns)”