Please help identifying a boat.

[Jim Cook]

I met a guy today who is trying to sell his boat. It appears to me to be very similar to some Macgregors that I have seen (primarily because of the pop-top cabin) It is 22 ft long and has a swing keel (all of it swings up so the hull rests directly on the trailer). I cannot find any markings of any sort anywhere on the boat (no HIN on the stern, so I'm guessing it is pre-72 and no identification plate anywhere).My Columbia 22 has an ID plate in the typical Columbia location in the head. Do Macgregors have a standard location for such information?Furthermore, where can I find a website with information about Macgregor models?Thank you all for any assistance which I can pass on to this guy.Sincerely,Jim CookPSI couldn't find any place to attach the backstay to the stern.

 

[Jon Bastien / H25 'Adagio']

Maybe post a photo?

Jim, Is it possible for you to post a photo of the boat in this forum? Someone may recognize it and be able to tell you what kind of boat it is...--Jon

 

[dockdog]

Web site for MacV brochures

Bob's MacV Sailors Pagehttp://www.Macgregor-boats.com/Great site!dockdog

 

[Mike]

Mac? Maybe

Any boat regestered in the United States will have a registration certificate and a title. If the boat you are looking at doesn't have either, you will have a hard time proving ownership. Either the owner hasn't paid taxes and fees (which must be paid to transfer the boat into your name)or hasn't paid property taxes (same deal). The state DMV usually is in charge of this. The only exception to this that I know of is if the boat has been documented by the Government. A documented boat will usually have an identifying number somewhere along the keel. People will document a boat (or used to) to avoid certain financial burdens of ownership, but in the event of a national emergency the boat may be seized by the government to be used for the public good. Highly unlikely for a 22' sailboat.Proof of ownership and documentation is important to avoid purchasing a boat that someone may have no right to sell. In the end you will lose.Best of luck and keep looking for that number and documentation. Don't buy without it. A bill of sale just won't do.Mike