New Member - First Boat - ID Help?

[Jasmine45]

Hi everyone,

I recently purchased what is though to be a 16' 1945 Rocket, however neither the previous owner nor I could find hull ID plates or stamps anywhere.

Curious if anyone can help me ID this boat? I've also submitted a request to the museum using the engine ID as it does have the original K engine.

Thanks in advance!

j

[JohnKadimik]

J, The 16' Rocket was produced from 1946-49. To me it looks like a Rocket that someone decked over.

[JimF]

The only boat I could find similar is the 1934-1936 Deluxe runabout that did not come with a "K". I will go with John's theory.

[Mark Christensen]

yeah, this boat has definitely been modified. If you look under the engine hatches does the construction appear as if that is the case? Look for sawn off ribs and other things that look "suspicious." you should post more photos, especially from inside the engine hatches.

[farupp]

Welcome to the Club.

The locations of the hull numbers are as follows:

Chris-Craft, Sea Skiff & Cavalier Division boats

• On a metal plate attached to the underside of the engine hatch cover or engine box on single engine models, and on a metal plate attached to the underside of the starboard engine hatch cover or engine box on twin engine models.
• Stamped into the aft surface of the forward header of the engine hatch on single engine models, and stamped into the aft surface of the forward header of the port engine hatch on twin engine models.
• Stamped into the top edge of the engine stringer starboard adjacent to engine coupling on single engine models, and stamped into the top edge of the inboard stringer, port engine, adjacent to engine coupling on twin engine models.
• Either on top of wood towing bitt, aft face of bow block, extreme forward inboard surface of port toe rail, or aft face of stem midway between chine and sheer.

[Don Vogt]

Welcome! We are confident you will have a great experience as a member.

[Jasmine45]

Thanks everyone. Still no luck with hull numbers, and I know it's been 'restored' but I don't think the previous owner has the right year / model.

Pics from the sale listing:

[MikeM]

I'd say John is right, too. CC doesn't put ceiling boards in the engine compartment. Yours has boards from its original configuration.

There must be numbers stamped somewhere. Have you removed the rear seat back? That model should have a number stamped in the frame that goes across. Also in some floor boards. Once you find one set of numbers several more usually pop up. Keep looking.

[farupp]

The numbers will be stamped into the wood as Mike said. My hull number stamp looks like below so you have an idea what to look for. This is on the engine stringer.

[Jasmine45]

Thanks everyone - still no hull #, but was able to speak to an old owner and research a few part numbers with the Mariners museum. Confirmed it's a 1946 rocket that was decked over during a previous restore.

http://www.classicboat.com/id-16-Rocket-1946-1949.htm

[farupp]

According to the link to Classic Boat you provided, the hull number is R-16-105. Look around for that number stamped in the wood. Once you find it you will be amazed how many more times you find it in other places. If the engine stringers were replaced when the original engine was removed you may not find that number in that location.

Good luck.