Re: 1964 MFG 16′ boat need advice

[William Jatzek]

I live South East of Cleveland. That boat has nice lines also the turquoise gel coat and hull looks real good in the pictures very cool.Looks like it could be a good lake Erie boat you say you assume the owner does not have a title for boat and trailer. Why don’t you ask him if he has it? If he does your good to go. If not find out why he does not have it. If he had it in the past ten years he can go to title bureau and take his OH numbers on the hull in your case ( OH 1073 EC ) and the hull serial number to title bureau and probably get a duplicate title . Look at the last registration sticker on the boat it will have the date when it expired if not to many years ago you can look it up this way. If no luck third choice if it was many many years years ago you can take the OH numbers and serial number to division of watercraft at east 55th in Cleveland. They will run the numbers and do a title search also take the engine serial number and they can see if it was ever titled. If division of watercraft comes up with no title work they have a procedure that they will inspect the boat and equipment and issue you a new registration number. As far as the wood that boat probably has some in the transom which might still be good. The floor is just probably 3/4” marine plywood you can buy at any good lumber yard and this kind of boat probably was built without wood stringers probably all fiberglass on bottom of hull. The boat is 53 years old you know it’s going to need some work but hull looks real good in pictures. Trailer looks good in pictures probably worth $150 to $200 ,boat probably $200 if titled if not offer less. tell him motor blows nobody likes electric shift and parts are hard to find. Ask about the seats if he has them you can get them recovered or watch craigslist boats somebody is always stripping boats very common seat setup. This boat will perform well with a 25 horse and up engine so you have lot’s of options it’s a lot nicer than any aluminum boat this size. Let me know how it works out. Regards Bill,