Aluminum Boat Identification: Lone Star Serial Numbers

Lone Star Boat Manufacturing was founded in 1945 by brothers Lamar and William Moody in Grand Prairie, Texas. The company changed hands several times over the years, with R. W. McDonnel acquiring it in 1946, then Continental Insurance Company of Alabama in 1955, and finally Standard Steel Works Inc. in 1956. The company was eventually purchased by Chrysler in 1965, and the Lone Star name was discontinued.

Today, it can be challenging to identify a Lone Star boat by its serial number, as the company's records were reportedly destroyed. However, some enthusiasts have decoded the serial numbers to determine the year, model, and production number of their boats. The serial number can typically be found on the hull or hull member, above the waterline, or on a small plate. It may also be stamped into the hull, often upside down.

Lone Star boats and their Hull Identification Numbers (HIN)

Lone Star Boat Works LLC is a boat manufacturer located in Baytown, Texas. The company's manufacturer identification code (MIC) is LSK, which is used in the HIN of boats they have built. The HIN is typically located on the transom, above the waterline, or on the hull of the boat.

The HIN on a Lone Star boat typically consists of a combination of letters and numbers. For example, one Lone Star boat has a HIN of "B82610390", while another has "05614087" as its HIN. In some cases, the HIN may be found on a small plate attached to the boat.

It is important to note that the format of HINs has evolved over time. Before the 1972 federal HIN legislation, boat manufacturers like Lone Star used different numbering systems. For instance, in the 1950s, the first digit of the HIN represented the last number of the year, the next three numbers indicated the model, and the remaining numbers were production numbers.

Additionally, it is worth mentioning that Chrysler acquired Lone Star Boat Works in 1965 and discontinued the brand name shortly after. As a result, records for older Lone Star boats may be scarce, and identifying the model and year of these boats can be challenging.

To identify a Lone Star boat by its HIN, it is recommended to refer to resources such as boat forums, boat clubs, and websites dedicated to boat history and specifications. These sources can provide valuable information and expertise to assist in decoding the HIN and determining the boat's model and year of manufacture.

Locating the HIN on a boat

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) is a unique identifier for your boat, much like a VIN for a car. It is a 12- or 15-character code that can be used to track stolen boats, identify vessels involved in accidents or illegal activities, and aid in recall situations. It is also useful when buying or selling a boat, as it allows prospective buyers to check the vessel's history.

The HIN is typically found on the boat's stern (rear end), on the right side, about two inches below the gunwale. It may be engraved or embossed into the hull material, so it might take a little bit of hunting to find it. The HIN is usually printed in three places: on the rear frame and on both pontoon skins. Depending on the boat's age, design, and manufacturer, the HIN could also be located elsewhere.

For boats with a transom, the HIN should be located on the transom above the waterline. It may also be printed on a small plate. If your boat does not have a transom, check the starboard side of the hull. If your boat has more than one hull, check the outermost starboard side at the end of the hull.

If you are still unable to locate the HIN on your boat, consult the boat's manual or reach out to the manufacturer for assistance.

Interpreting the HIN on an aluminium boat

The Hull Identification Number (HIN) on an aluminium boat is a unique identifier that provides key information about the boat's origin and manufacturing. It is a combination of letters and numbers that are assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard and can be used to identify the boat's manufacturer, hull number, model, and year of production.

The HIN on an aluminium boat typically consists of two parts: the serial number and the manufacturer identification code. The serial number is usually the longer set of numbers, while the manufacturer identification code is a shorter set of letters or numbers. Here's how to interpret the different parts of the HIN:

Manufacturer Identification Code:

The first three letters or characters of the HIN are the manufacturer identification code. These letters are assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard and uniquely identify the boat's manufacturer. Each boat manufacturer is assigned a specific code, so this section of the HIN can be used to look up the builder of the boat.

Hull Serial Number:

The second set of numbers in the HIN represents the hull serial number. This number is unique to each boat and is used to identify individual hulls within the manufacturer's production. The hull serial number typically consists of several digits and may include leading zeros.

Model and Year Information:

The last set of numbers in the HIN provides information about the model and year of the boat. This section may include a combination of numbers and letters, depending on the boat manufacturer's conventions. The year may be represented by a two-digit number, indicating the last two digits of the production year. For example, the number "22" would represent the year 2022.

It's important to note that the format and structure of the HIN can vary slightly between different boat manufacturers. Additionally, older boats may have a different HIN format compared to newer vessels. Therefore, it is always a good idea to cross-reference the HIN with the boat manufacturer's records or a boat identification guide for accurate interpretation.

In terms of the physical location of the HIN on an aluminium boat, it is typically stamped or printed on the hull. It should be located on the transom, which is the vertical section at the rear of the boat, above the waterline. If the boat does not have a transom, the HIN can usually be found on the starboard side of the hull, which is the right side when facing forward.

Lone Star boat identification resources

Lone Star boats were manufactured by Chrysler. However, according to a forum post on TinBoats.net, Chrysler destroyed the old Lone Star boat records, making it difficult to identify specific models and years of Lone Star boats.

Despite this, there are some resources and methods that can be used to identify a Lone Star boat:

• Hull Identification Number (HIN): The HIN on a boat consists of the manufacturer ID code, the hull serial number, and the date the boat was built. The first three letters are assigned by the U.S. Coast Guard to identify the manufacturer, the next set of numbers is the unique hull number, and the last set represents the model and year of the boat. The HIN should be located on the hull or hull member, typically on the transom above the waterline, or on a small plate.
• Visual Identification: If the HIN is not available or is difficult to read, visual identification can be attempted by comparing the boat to known Lone Star boat models. This can be done by searching for pictures and specifications of Lone Star boats online, such as on forums or boat enthusiast websites.
• Boat Enthusiast Forums: Forums dedicated to boats, such as TinBoats.net, iboats Boating Forums, and Boat Design Net, can be a valuable resource for identifying Lone Star boats. These forums often have knowledgeable members who can provide information or guidance on identifying specific boat models.
• Lone Star Club and History Pages: There are online communities and websites dedicated to Lone Star boats, such as the Lone Star club (https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/lonestarboat/info) and a Lone Star history page (https://www.fiberglassics.com/library/Lone_Star). These resources may provide valuable information for identifying specific Lone Star boat models.

While identifying a Lone Star boat by serial number may be challenging due to the unavailability of records, utilizing the above resources and methods can increase the chances of success.

Lone Star boat identification forums

There are a few ways to identify a Lone Star boat. One way is to look for the HIN (Hull Identification Number) on the transom (back) of the boat. This number is usually 12 characters long and includes both numbers and letters. However, older boats may have shorter HINs that are only numeric as industry-standard formatting for HINs was introduced later.

If you have a 10-digit HIN, you can try to identify your boat by searching through sales brochures on websites like fiberglassics.com. Additionally, you can try contacting the Lonestar Boat Club at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/lonestarboat/ for help. It is also worth noting that Lone Star was sold to Chrysler Marine in 1965, and the name was dropped soon after, so you can try searching for Chrysler Marine boats from that time period as well.

Another way to identify a Lone Star boat is by its physical characteristics. You can try comparing the measurements of your boat to the specifications listed on websites like fiberglassics.com. Additionally, you can look for distinct features such as a faux lapstrake aluminum hull or a forward access sliding hatch in the cap, which was a feature on all Medallion models.

If you are unable to identify your boat through these methods, you can try posting pictures and/or the HIN on boating forums such as iboats.com, where community members and experts may be able to help. It is helpful to include as much information as possible, such as the length of the boat, the number of seats, and any distinctive features.

Frequently asked questions