Hull number help, please

[thenrie]

I have located an abandoned boat in Puerto Rico and cannot seem to get anything on the last owner. I have a hull number, but it appears to be an old number, before the numbering system was revamped. Hull number is: NYA00300474-451. It actually has what may be another letter before the N. It could be a C, G, or possibly an O, but I really think it is just a mark left from a rivet on the imprint plate. According to the USCG site, this boat was made by Nordic Yachts (NYA), which is no longer in business. The hull number does not appear in their database in any of the possible variations.

I believe the boat to be a 45' ketch, probably 1974 (judging by the HN) and it bears the name "Temptress, Fort Lauderdale, FL." painted on the transom.

The boat has been abandoned for at least ten years and is in poor repair (caved in hatch, lots of gear scavenged). I would like to be able to track down the legal owners to negotiate a purchase. I just love to fix stuff and make it work again. It was once a very nice boat.

Any help would be appreciated.

[thenrie]

Correction. The boat is not a ketch. It is a rear cocpit sloop or cutter.

[sailingdog]

Have you looked inside the boat. If it has a USCG documentation number, usually engraved into part of the interior, then you can look up the owner in the USCG documentation database.

If not, then you may have to see if you can search the excise tax records of Fort Lauderdale, FL.

[thenrie]

I haven't been inside. The main hatch is caved in though. Maybe I'll give that a try. I was hoping to be able to search it from the hull number, but it doesn't show in the USCG database. The boat is in Puerto Rico, as am I. I'll have to check to see whether I can search the Florida excise tax records on line. Thanks for the tip.

[sailingdog]

BTW, to check on a boat via USCG Doc. #, go to

http://www.st.nmfs.gov/st1/commercia...g_vessels.html